Homestead basics · 2027 tax year

What Is a Homestead Exemption in Texas?

A homestead exemption is a discount on the taxable value of the home you live in. It doesn't change what the appraisal district says your home is worth; it shrinks the part of that value you pay tax on. Here is how it works in plain English.

Updated October 26, 2026 · Checked against official sources listed below

How it works

Each taxing unit on your bill (school district, city, county and others) taxes your home's taxable value: appraised value minus exemptions. A homestead exemption is one of those exemptions. For school taxes, Texas requires a $140,000 exemption on every qualifying homestead (Tax Code §11.13(b)).

Here is a hypothetical $400,000 home:

Hypothetical example of how the school homestead exemption reduces taxable value
	Without exemption	With homestead exemption
Appraised value	$400,000	$400,000
School homestead exemption	$0	− $140,000
Taxable value for school taxes	$400,000	$260,000

That $140,000 difference is multiplied by your school district's rate. See how much the homestead exemption saves to put a dollar figure on it.

Exemption vs. protest vs. cap

How the homestead exemption, a protest and the homestead cap differ
Tool	What it changes	How you get it
Homestead exemption	Removes part of your value from taxation	Apply once with Form 50-114
Protest	Lowers the appraised value itself	File each year you disagree with your value
10% homestead cap	Limits how fast your appraised value can rise	Automatic the year after your exemption starts

Who can get one

You need an ownership interest in the home, it must be your principal residence, and you can't claim a homestead exemption anywhere else. Homeowners 65 or older, or disabled, qualify for an additional $60,000 school exemption and a school tax ceiling. Full details are in our Texas homestead exemption guide.

How to get it

File Texas Comptroller Form 50-114 with your appraisal district (TCAD, WCAD or Hays CAD). The general deadline is before May 1. You generally don't need to reapply each year.

Next: make sure your value is right

The exemption lowers the taxable part of your value. The free check shows whether the value itself is too high.

Check my property free

Frequently asked questions

What is a homestead exemption in Texas?

It is a reduction in the taxable value of the home you own and live in as your principal residence. Part of the home’s value is removed before each taxing unit applies its tax rate, so you pay less tax.

Does the homestead exemption apply to all my property taxes?

The state-required $140,000 exemption applies to school district taxes. Cities, counties and other taxing units decide whether to offer their own homestead exemptions and how much.

Can I have a homestead exemption on two homes?

No. You can claim a residence homestead exemption only on your principal residence, and not if you claim one on any other property in Texas or another state.

Does the homestead exemption lower my appraised value?

No. Your appraised value stays the same; the exemption lowers your taxable value. Having the exemption does, however, turn on the 10% annual cap on appraised value increases.

2027 protest season

See if your home is over-assessed

The free check compares your appraisal district record with nearby homes in about a minute. No account needed.

Check my property free Pre-order the 2027 Protest Kit · $59

Your Protest Kit is built from your county's 2027 values and emailed when they're released (expected mid-April 2027). Full refund any time before your report is delivered, or if we can't build a report for your property.

Sources

General information, not legal or tax advice. Laws, deadlines and exemption amounts change; confirm details with your appraisal district or the Texas Comptroller before you rely on them.