Homestead Exemption

Filing a homestead exemption lowers your tax bill in Hays County

If you own and live in your Hays County home, you can file for a homestead exemption to reduce what you owe in property taxes.

Hays County Money & Taxes

To qualify, you must own the home on January 1 and use it as your primary residence. You can only claim one homestead exemption per year. Homeowners who are 65 or older, disabled, or disabled veterans may qualify for extra exemptions on top of the standard one.

You file an affidavit with the Hays Central Appraisal District, not the tax office. Download the application at hayscad.com/forms or call 512-268-2522. Check that site for current deadlines, since they can change.

Source to confirm: Hays County Tax Assessor FAQ

More Hays County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two offices handle your property taxes in Hays County

Hays County splits property tax duties between two separate offices, and knowing which one to call saves time.

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Tax Payment Deadline

Pay your Hays County property taxes by January 31 to avoid penalties

Property tax bills in Hays County arrive in the fall, and January 31 is the last day to pay without extra fees.

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Agricultural Valuation

Farmland in Hays County can be taxed at a much lower rate through ag valuation

Land used for farming or ranching in Hays County may qualify for a special lower tax rate based on what the land can produce, not what it sells for.

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County Founding

Hays County was carved from Travis County in 1848

The Texas Legislature created Hays County on March 1, 1848, and named San Marcos as the county seat from the start.

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