What we verified in “Homestead exemption: what it is, what it saves, how to apply”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas has no state property tax: it is locally assessed and administered; the general residence homestead exemption exempts a portion of your main home's value from taxation; school districts must provide a $140,000 exemption; any taxing unit may adopt a local option exemption of up to 20 percent of a property's appraised value, which cannot be less than $5,000; and counties that collect farm-to-market or flood control taxes must provide a $3,000 exemption.

   Sources 1 · Property Tax Exemptions, 'Residence Homestead' section: 'There is no state property tax'; 'Property tax in Texas is locally assessed and locally administered'; 'A general residence homestead exempts a portion of your residence homestead's value from taxation'; 'requires school districts to provide a $140,000 exemption on a residence homestead'; 'local option residence homestead exemption of up to 20 percent of a property's appraised value'; 'The local option exemption cannot be less than $5,000'; 'requires counties that collect farm-to-market or flood control taxes to provide a $3,000 residence homestead exemption' · Checked October 17, 2026

2. The Texas Comptroller gives this example: if your home is appraised at $300,000 and you qualify for the $140,000 school district exemption, you pay school taxes as if the home were worth only $160,000.

   Sources 1 · Property Tax Exemptions, 'Residence Homestead' section: 'if your home is appraised at $300,000 and you qualify for a $140,000 exemption'; 'you will pay school taxes on the home as if it was worth only $160,000' · Checked October 17, 2026

3. According to the Texas Comptroller, to get the general residence homestead exemption a person must have an ownership interest in the property and use it as their principal residence; the applicant must state that they do not claim a homestead exemption on another home in or outside Texas; and someone who acquires the property after January 1 may receive it immediately for the applicable portion of the year if the previous owner did not receive the same exemption that year.

   Sources 1 · Property Tax Exemptions, 'Residence Homestead' section: 'an individual must have an ownership interest in the property and use the property as the individual's principal residence'; 'does not claim an exemption on another residence homestead in or outside of Texas'; 'If the property owner acquires the property after Jan. 1, they may receive the general residence homestead exemption for the applicable portion of the tax year immediately'; 'if the previous owner did not receive the same exemption for the tax year' · Checked October 17, 2026

4. According to the Texas Comptroller, a property owner must apply for an exemption in most circumstances; the application is filed with the appraisal district in the county where the property is located; the general deadline is before May 1; and appraisal district chief appraisers alone decide whether the property qualifies.

   Sources 1 · Property Tax Exemptions: 'A property owner must apply for an exemption in most circumstances'; 'filed with the appraisal district in the county in which the property is located'; 'The general deadline for filing an exemption application is before May 1'; 'Appraisal district chief appraisers are solely responsible for determining whether property qualifies for an exemption' · Checked October 17, 2026

5. According to the Texas Comptroller, for people 65 or older or disabled, school districts must provide an additional $60,000 exemption, and any taxing unit may adopt a local option exemption of at least $3,000; for the disability exemption you must meet the Social Security definition of disability for disability insurance benefits, and benefits from other programs do not automatically qualify.

   Sources 1 · Property Tax Exemptions, 'Age 65 or Older or Disabled Persons' section: 'requires school districts to provide an additional $60,000 residence homestead exemption'; 'This local option exemption cannot be less than $3,000'; 'must meet the definition of disabled for the purpose of receiving disability insurance benefits'; 'Disability benefits from any other program do not automatically qualify you for the exemption' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. According to the Texas Comptroller, there are exemptions for disabled veterans that can cover part or all of the property's value; the amount depends on the disability rating issued by Veterans Affairs or the branch of service; and a veteran with a 100 percent service-connected disability is entitled to a total exemption on their residence homestead.

   Sources 1 · Property Tax Exemptions, 'Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses of Disabled Veterans' section: 'A disabled veteran exemption can exempt a portion or the total property value'; 'An exemption amount is determined by the disability rating issued by the U.S. Veterans Administration or the branch of the armed services'; 'disabled veteran awarded 100 percent disability compensation'; 'to a total property tax exemption on the disabled veteran's residence homestead' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. According to the Texas Comptroller, if you inherited the home (by will, transfer on death deed or intestacy) and you are not named as owner on a recorded deed, to apply you must give the appraisal district an affidavit establishing your ownership interest, a copy of the prior owner's death certificate, a copy of the property's most recent utility bill and, if available, a citation of any court record about your ownership; it notes that the State Bar of Texas lists people and organizations that may provide free or reduced-fee legal help.

   Sources 1 · Property Tax Exemptions, 'Inherited Residence Homestead' section: 'acquired by will, transfer on death deed or intestacy'; 'an affidavit establishing an ownership interest in the property'; 'a copy of the prior property owner's death certificate'; 'a copy of the property's most recent utility bill'; 'a citation of any court record relating to the applicant's ownership of the property, if available'; 'free or reduced-fee legal assistance' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. According to Texas Form 50-114, the application is filed with the appraisal district in each county where the property is located, not with the Comptroller, and it is generally due no later than April 30 of the year you are requesting the exemption; you may file a late residence homestead application, including for age 65 or older or disabled, up to two years after the deadline; once granted, you do not need to reapply every year unless the chief appraiser requires it; and you must notify the chief appraiser in writing before May 1 of the year after your right to the exemption ends.

   Sources 2 · Form 50-114, Residence Homestead Exemption Application: 'Do not file this form with the Texas'; 'Application Deadlines': 'than April 30 of the year for which you are requesting the exemption'; 'up to two years after the filing deadline'; 'property owner does not need to'; 'reapply annually'; 'Duty to Notify': 'Property owner must notify the chief appraiser in writing before May 1 of the year'; 'after his or her right to this exemption ends' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. According to Texas Form 50-114, you must attach a copy of each owner's driver's license or state-issued personal identification certificate, and its address must match the property address (with exceptions for certain cases); the form asks for the driver's license, personal ID certificate or Social Security number, says Social Security number disclosure may be required for tax administration and identification, and says a driver's license or ID number given on the application is confidential and not open to public inspection.

   Sources 2 · Form 50-114, 'Required Documentation': 'Attach a copy of each property owner’s driver’s license or state-issued personal'; 'must correspond to the property address for'; Section 2: 'Driver’s License, Personal ID Certificate'; 'or Social Security Number'; note: 'Social security number disclosure may be required for tax administration and identification'; 'is confidential and not open to public inspection' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. According to the Texas Comptroller, you may protest to the appraisal review board (ARB) if you disagree with the appraisal district's value or any of its actions concerning your property, and at the hearing you may raise objections about your property value and exemptions.

    Sources 3 · Property Tax Protests: 'You may protest if you disagree with the appraisal district's value or any of the appraisal district's actions concerning your property'; 'You may discuss your objections about your property value, exemptions' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. Under Florida Statutes section 196.031, a person who on January 1 holds legal or beneficial title to real property in Florida and in good faith makes it their permanent residence, or that of people dependent on them, is entitled to the exemption; the deed must be recorded in the county before it is granted; and a person receiving or claiming an exemption or tax credit in another state that requires permanent residency is not entitled to it.

    Sources 4 · Fla. Stat. §196.031(1)(a) ('A person who, on January 1, has the legal title or beneficial title in equity to real property in this state'; 'makes the property his or her permanent residence or the permanent residence of another or others legally or naturally dependent upon him or her'; 'Before such exemption may be granted, the deed or instrument shall be recorded') and (6) ('where permanent residency is required as a basis for the granting of that ad valorem tax exemption or tax credit is not entitled to the homestead exemption') · Checked October 17, 2026

12. According to the Florida Department of Revenue, the homestead exemption can be up to $50,000: the first $25,000 applies to all property taxes, including school district taxes, and the additional exemption of up to $25,000 applies to the assessed value over $50,000 and only to non-school taxes; that additional part is adjusted every January 1 for inflation (Consumer Price Index) if the change is positive.

    Sources 7 · PT-113, Property Tax Information for Homestead Exemption (R. 08/25): 'homestead exemption of up to $50,000'; 'The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes, including school district taxes'; 'The additional exemption of up to $25,000 applies to the assessed value over $50,000 and only to non-school taxes'; 'is adjusted annually on January 1 for inflation' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. According to the Florida Department of Revenue, you apply by completing Form DR-501 and submitting it to your county property appraiser by March 1 of the tax year; many offices accept applications online; and only the property appraiser can decide whether a property is entitled to the exemption.

    Sources 7 · PT-113: 'complete and submit Form DR-501 to your county'; 'property appraiser by March 1 of the tax year'; 'property appraisers’ offices are now accepting'; 'exemption. Only the property appraiser can determine' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. Under Florida Statutes section 196.011, a person entitled to an exemption on January 1 must file the application with the county property appraiser on or before March 1, and failing to do so waives the exemption for that year, with exceptions; once granted, the property appraiser mails a renewal application each year on or before February 1, which is accepted as evidence of exemption unless the appraiser denies it; and an applicant who objects to a denial may file a petition with the value adjustment board.

    Sources 5 · Fla. Stat. §196.011(1)(a) ('on or before March 1 of each year, file an application for exemption with the county property appraiser'; 'shall constitute a waiver of the exemption privilege for that year') and (7)(a) ('in each succeeding year on or before February 1, the property appraiser shall mail a renewal application'; 'Any applicant objecting to such denial may file a petition') · Checked October 17, 2026

15. Under Florida Statutes section 196.011, the homestead application form must include a space for the Social Security number of the applicant and of the applicant's spouse, if any; a timely application without those numbers is incomplete: the property appraiser contacts the applicant, who may refile a complete application by April 1, and failing that the exemption is waived for that year, with exceptions.

    Sources 5 · Fla. Stat. §196.011(1)(b): 'must include a space for the applicant to list the social security number of the applicant and of the applicant’s spouse, if any'; 'omits the required social security numbers, the application is incomplete'; 'may refile a complete application by April 1' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. Under Florida Statutes section 196.011, a qualified person who did not file by March 1 must file with the property appraiser on or before the 25th day after the appraiser mails the assessment notices; the appraiser may grant the exemption if there is evidence of extenuating circumstances; otherwise the person may petition the value adjustment board within the same period and pay a nonrefundable $15 fee.

    Sources 5 · Fla. Stat. §196.011(9): 'fails to file an application by March 1'; 'on or before the 25th day following the mailing by the property appraiser of the notices'; 'extenuating circumstances'; 'a petition with the value adjustment board requesting that the exemption be granted'; 'must pay a nonrefundable fee of $15' · Checked October 17, 2026

17. According to the Florida Department of Revenue, first-time applicants will be asked, among other things, for their Social Security number and that of their co-applicant or spouse; and the property appraiser may ask for proof of residency such as a Florida driver license or ID card number, the address on your last IRS return or proof of utility payments at the homestead address.

    Sources 7 · PT-113: 'What is your social security number and your co-'; 'Your property appraiser may ask for any of the following'; 'Florida driver license or identification card number'; 'Address listed on your last IRS return'; 'Proof of payment of utilities at homestead address' · Checked October 17, 2026

18. According to the Florida Department of Revenue, you are no longer eligible for the homestead exemption if the unit you claim it on is rented, if it is no longer your permanent home or if you are no longer a permanent Florida resident.

    Sources 7 · PT-113, 'You are no longer eligible for homestead exemption if': 'exemption is rented'; 'The residential unit is no longer your permanent'; 'You are no longer a permanent resident of Florida' · Checked October 17, 2026

19. Under Florida Statutes section 193.155, homestead property is reassessed every January 1 and the change may not exceed the lower of 3% of the prior year's assessed value or the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index; and after a change of ownership the home is assessed at just value as of January 1 of the following year.

    Sources 6 · Fla. Stat. §193.155(1) ('the property shall be reassessed annually on January 1'; 'shall not exceed the lower of the following'; 'Three percent of the assessed value of the property for the prior year') and (3)(a) ('shall be assessed at just value as of January 1 of the year following a change of ownership') · Checked October 17, 2026

20. According to the Florida Department of Revenue, when a property changes ownership the law requires the property appraiser to remove exemptions and reassess it at just value, effective January 1 after the purchase; the previous owner's exemption and Save Our Homes benefit stay with the property for the rest of the year you buy; and if you own the home on January 1 and apply by March 1, that year's bill reflects the reduction, but the Save Our Homes benefit starts the following year.

    Sources 8 · PT-107, Property Tax Information for First-Time Florida Homebuyers: 'appraiser to remove exemptions and reassess the'; 'with the property for the remainder of the tax (calendar)'; 'bill. If you owned property on January 1 and apply for the'; 'SOH benefit will not take effect until the following year' · Checked October 17, 2026

21. According to the California State Board of Equalization, the California Constitution provides a $7,000 reduction in the taxable value of a qualifying owner-occupied home; the home must have been the owner's principal place of residence on the lien date, January 1; to claim it, the owner makes a one-time filing of Form BOE-266 with the assessor of the county where the property is located; first-time filers may file any time after becoming eligible, but no later than February 15 to receive the full exemption for that year; and claimants must notify the assessor when they are no longer eligible, with December 10 the last day to terminate it without penalty.

    Sources 9 · Homeowners' Exemption: 'a $7,000 reduction in the taxable value for a qualifying owner-occupied home'; 'The home must have been the principal place of residence of the owner on the lien date, January 1st'; 'the homeowner must make a one-time filing with the county assessor where the property is located'; 'BOE-266, Claim for Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption'; 'no later than February 15 to receive the full exemption for that year'; 'December 10th is the last day to terminate the Homeowners' Exemption without penalty' · Checked October 17, 2026

22. According to the California State Board of Equalization, once granted, the homeowners' exemption stays in effect until, among other cases, the owner no longer occupies the home as their principal place of residence on the lien date.

    Sources 10 · Disabled Veterans' and Homeowners' Exemption Match and Multiple Claims Listing: 'Once granted, the homeowners' exemption remains in effect until such time as'; 'The owner no longer occupies the dwelling as his or her principal place of residence on the lien date' · Checked October 17, 2026

23. According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, the General Homestead Exemption is annual, applies to residential property occupied by its owner as their principal dwelling place, and lowers the equalized assessed value (EAV) by up to $10,000 in Cook County, $8,000 in counties contiguous to Cook County and $6,000 in all other counties.

    Sources 11 · Property Tax Relief, 'General Homestead Exemption (GHE)': 'This annual exemption is available for residential property that is occupied by its owner or owners as his or their principal dwelling place'; 'up to a maximum of $10,000 in Cook County, $8,000 in counties contiguous to Cook County, and $6,000 in all other counties' · Checked October 17, 2026

24. According to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, the STAR program provides school tax relief: with the STAR credit, the state sends the benefit by check or direct deposit if you own the home, it is your primary residence and the combined income of the owners and their spouses is $500,000 or less; the STAR exemption is no longer available to new homeowners; and if you recently bought your home or never applied for STAR, you need to register.

    Sources 12 · STAR (School Tax Relief) program: 'the Tax Department will issue your STAR benefit via check or direct deposit'; 'the combined income of the owners and the owners’ spouses is $500,000 or less'; 'The STAR exemption is no longer available to new homeowners'; 'If you've recently bought your home or never applied for the STAR benefit, register' · Checked October 17, 2026

25. According to the CFPB, many lenders require you to pay taxes and insurance through an escrow account, which the mortgage servicer manages; because property taxes and insurance premiums can change from year to year, your escrow payment, and with it your total monthly payment, changes accordingly.

    Sources 13 · What is an escrow or impound account? (page last modified Sept. 13, 2024): 'Many lenders require that you pay your taxes and insurance using escrow'; 'Your mortgage servicer will manage the escrow account and pay these bills on your behalf'; 'Your property taxes and insurance premiums can change from year to year'; 'your total monthly payment will change accordingly' · Checked October 17, 2026

26. HUD-approved housing counselors provide independent advice on buying a home, renting, defaults and credit issues, often free or at low cost.

    Sources 14 · Find a Housing Counselor: 'advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, and credit issues'; 'often at little or no cost to you' · Checked October 17, 2026