It’s that time, to start thinking about property taxes and your Homestead tax exemption 2016. If you bought a home in the past year OR have never filed for your homestead tax exemption, the time is approaching.
If you live in your home on January 1st, 2016, you can apply for a Homestead tax exemption 2016. The home must be your primary residence (ie, you can’t claim multiple homestead tax exemptions for multiple properties), but as long as you live in the home on that date, you can file to receive this break on your property tax.
If you bought a home and don’t live in it yet, don’t worry, you can always do this next year and I will send you a reminder.
If you didn’t buy a home in the past few years but know someone who did then you can be helpful and send them this info 😉
Did you know…
Texas offers a generous homestead exemption. Homeowners who reside in a home can file for a 1 time homestead status and the exemption removes part of the value of your property from taxation and lowers your taxes. For example, if your home is valued at $100,000 and you qualify for a $20,000 exemption, you pay taxes on your home as if it was worth only $80,000. In addition, homeowners over age 65 or disabled homeowners can exclude an additional $10,000 from property taxes.
BE AWARE OF SCAMS…
If you’ve bought a home in the past year, you’ll probably get some mail from companies who will offer to file this paperwork for you and make sure you get your homestead tax exemption. Do not use these companies or send them any money. Filing your homestead tax exemption is free and these companies simply take your forms and drop them off at the appraisal district – something you can do just as easily for the cost that they will charge you. Many of the letters are rather deceiving in the way they’re written, making you think you need to pay their fee in order to receive the exemption.
How to apply for your homestead tax exemption 2016…
Each county has a different Application for Residential Homestead Exemption.
Below are links to applications and more information:
Travis County:
Hays County:
Williamson County:
Gillespie County