🏡 Free homeowner guide

Homestead exemption & property tax protest guide

The two things every Houston-area homeowner should do to keep their property taxes down: file the homestead exemption once, and protest the value when it's too high. Here's how, in plain English.

Checklist for the new homeowner

  • Update your Texas driver's license or ID to your new address — the application needs a copy that matches the home.
  • File the residence homestead exemption (Form 50-114) with your county's appraisal district as soon as you own and live in the home. It's free — you never need to pay anyone to file it.
  • Turning 65, or receiving disability benefits, or a disabled veteran? File for the extra exemption too (same form).
  • Watch your mail (and email) every spring for the Notice of Appraised Value, and set up your online account with the appraisal district.
  • If the value looks too high, protest by May 15 (or 30 days after the notice is delivered, if later).
  • Keep a folder: closing documents, repair bids, photos of any damage, and recent sales near you.

The homestead exemption: what it is

A homestead exemption takes a slice of your home's value off the books before taxes are figured. In Texas it's for the home you own and live in as your principal residence — one per person, and not for rentals or second homes.

$140,000off your value for school district taxes
+$60,000more off school taxes if you're 65+ or disabled
10%most your taxable home value can rise in a year

School district taxes

Every school district must exempt $140,000 of a homestead's value. Texas voters approved the increase from $100,000 in November 2025, and it applies starting with the 2025 tax year. Example from the Texas Comptroller: a $300,000 home is taxed for school purposes as if it were worth $160,000.

Cities, counties and other taxing units

Any taxing unit — your city, county or others — may also choose to offer a local exemption of up to 20% of the home's value (at least $5,000). Whether you get it depends on where you live; your appraisal district shows which ones apply to your account.

Age 65 or older, or disabled

  • An extra $60,000 off for school district taxes (on top of the $140,000), also approved by voters in November 2025. Some cities and counties offer their own extra amount too.
  • "Disabled" means you meet the Social Security definition of disability (for example, you receive SSDI).
  • School tax ceiling ("tax freeze"): once you qualify, your school taxes on the home generally can't go above the amount for the year you qualified, unless you add on to the home. Some cities, counties and junior college districts offer a ceiling too.

Disabled veterans and surviving spouses

  • 100% disabled (or rated unemployable) by the VA: a total exemption on the homestead.
  • Partially disabled: a partial exemption based on the disability rating.
  • Surviving spouses who haven't remarried can often keep these, and some get their own exemption — ask your appraisal district.

The 10% cap

Once you have the homestead exemption, the taxable value of your home can't go up more than 10% a year (plus the value of any new improvements), even if the market value jumps more. The cap starts on January 1 of the year after the first year you qualify — so in your first year, the value can still catch up to the market.

How and when to apply

  1. When: as soon as you own and live in the home. If the previous owner didn't have a homestead exemption that year, you may get it for the part of the year you owned it. The usual deadline is April 30 of the year you want it for — but late filing is allowed for up to two years (ask your district how they count it).
  2. The form: Residence Homestead Exemption Application, Form 50-114. It's free and covers the general, age 65+, disability and veteran exemptions. Most districts let you file online.
  3. What to include: a copy of your Texas driver's license or ID showing the home's address.
  4. Where: your county appraisal district — not the Comptroller, and not the tax office.
  5. Once is enough — you usually don't refile every year, unless the district asks you to.

Beware of mailers offering to file your homestead exemption for a fee. Filing yourself is free.

Protesting your value

Every spring the appraisal district mails a Notice of Appraised Value. If the value is higher than what your home would really sell for — or higher than similar homes nearby — you have the right to protest. It costs nothing, and many homeowners get a reduction.

The deadline

May 15 or 30 days after the notice was delivered to you, whichever is later. A late protest can be heard only if the review board finds good cause (like a serious illness or emergency).

How it works

  1. File online using the account number and the online protest/PIN number printed on your notice (or mail the protest form, 50-132).
  2. Gather evidence: recent sales of similar homes nearby (your agent can pull these for you), photos of damage or needed repairs, contractor bids, and an appraisal if you have a recent one.
  3. Review the district's evidence — you have the right to see it before your hearing.
  4. Informal review: an appraiser looks at your case and may offer a lower value, often right in the online portal. You can accept or reject.
  5. Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing: if you don't settle, an independent panel hears both sides — in person or, in many districts, by video — and mails its decision.

Your appraisal district

CountyAppraisal districtOnline protest
Harrishcad.orgiFile (account number + iFile number); iSettle offers
Fort Bendfbcad.orgOnline Appeal portal
Montgomerymcad-tx.orgOnline protest with the ID on your notice
Brazoriabrazoriacad.orgSee the district's website
Galvestongalvestoncad.orgTaxpayer Portal (Owner ID + eFile PIN)

This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Amounts and rules can change with new laws, and each county runs its own process — check with your appraisal district before you rely on anything here. Questions? Your White Picket Realty agent is happy to help you pull sales for a protest.

Sources