Homestead Exemption

A Homestead Exemption Can Lower Your Tax Bill

If your home is your main residence, you can file for a homestead exemption that reduces how much of its value gets taxed.

Hidalgo County Money & Taxes

A homestead exemption lowers your property tax bill. It works by reducing the taxable value of your home. You must live in the home as your main residence to qualify.

Texas law requires school districts to cut $140,000 off the appraised value for homeowners who qualify. The county, cities, and other local taxing units may offer extra exemptions on top of that.

You file the form with the Hidalgo Appraisal District—not the tax office. The general deadline to file is before May 1 of the tax year. Check the appraisal district's website for the current form and deadline. Rules can change, so confirm the details each year.

Source to confirm: Texas Comptroller – Property Tax Exemptions

More Hidalgo County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two Separate Offices Handle Your Property Taxes

Hidalgo County has one office that values your property and a different office that collects the taxes—you need to know which to contact.

Read note ->

Taxing Units

Your Tax Bill Comes From Many Different Entities

Hidalgo County has 56 active taxing units, so your total tax bill is the sum of rates from several different entities.

Read note ->

Agricultural Valuation

Farm and Ranch Land Can Be Taxed on Productivity, Not Market Value

Texas law lets qualifying farmland and ranchland be taxed on what it produces rather than what it could sell for, which can cut the tax bill significantly.

Read note ->

Flooding

Flood Risk Is Relatively High in Hidalgo County

Federal data shows Hidalgo County carries a relatively high natural hazard risk, with flooding as a major concern.

Read note ->