Navigating Property Tax Exemptions in Harris County: A Guide for Homeowners
If you’re a homeowner in Harris County, you might be missing out on valuable tax savings if you’re not taking full advantage of property tax exemptions. Let’s break down how these exemptions work and how you can benefit from them, based on the latest information from the Harris Central Appraisal District.
What is a Property Tax Exemption?
A property tax exemption helps reduce the amount of property tax you owe by lowering the taxable value of your home. For example, if your home is valued at $100,000 and you qualify for a $20,000 exemption, you’ll only pay taxes on $80,000 of your home’s value.
Types of Homestead Exemptions
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School Taxes: Every homeowner is eligible for a $40,000 homestead exemption on the value of your home for school district taxes. This is a basic exemption that all qualifying homeowners can receive.
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County Taxes: Harris County offers a 20% optional homestead exemption for all homeowners. So, if your home is valued at $100,000, this exemption will reduce its taxable value to $80,000 for county taxes.
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Optional Exemptions: Taxing units like cities and school districts can offer additional exemptions up to 20% of your home's value, but not less than $5,000. For instance, if your home is worth $20,000 and your city provides a 20% exemption, you’d get a $5,000 exemption, even though 20% of $20,000 is only $4,000.
Application Deadlines
To receive these exemptions, you must apply between January 1 and April 30 of the year for which you are claiming the exemption. If you miss this deadline, you can still apply for a general exemption up to two years after the taxes became delinquent.
For those turning 65, becoming disabled, or acquiring a property during the year, you have until the first anniversary of qualifying to apply for the over-65 or disability exemptions.
Special Exemptions
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Over-65 Homeowners: If you’re 65 or older, you’re eligible for additional exemptions. As soon as you turn 65, you can receive an extra $10,000 exemption for school taxes, and your school tax will not increase unless you make improvements to the home. Other taxing units might offer even more benefits, so check with Harris County Appraisal District for specifics.
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Homeowners with Disabilities: Disabled homeowners can receive a $10,000 exemption for school taxes, plus any exemptions offered by local taxing units. To qualify, you need to meet specific criteria, including receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration.
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100% Disabled Veterans: If you have a 100% disability rating from the VA and receive 100% disability payments, you qualify for a full exemption on your home’s value.
Buying or Selling a Home
When you buy or sell a home, the taxes are prorated at closing. If you sell a home with an existing exemption, the new owner will need to apply for the exemption in their name for the following year. For those with over-65 or disability exemptions, the rules are a bit different and can impact your tax liability for the year of the sale or purchase.
Inherited Homes
If you’ve inherited a home, recent changes in Texas law make it easier to qualify for a full homestead exemption, even if the home has multiple co-owners. This can provide significant savings if you’re managing inherited property.
Need More Information?
For detailed information or assistance, visit the Harris Central Appraisal District’s website or call their office at 713-957-7800. They can guide you through the process and help you ensure you’re maximizing your property tax benefits.
Taking the time to understand and apply for these exemptions can lead to significant savings, so make sure you’re not leaving money on the table!
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
