How to file your homestead exemption in Bexar County

If you own a home in Bexar County and it is your primary residence, you can apply for a general homestead exemption. The exemption lowers the value that tax rates are applied to, which reduces your annual property tax bill. You file with Bexar Central Appraisal District (BCAD), not the tax office.

To qualify, you must own the property and live in it as your main home. Your Texas driver's license or state ID must show the same address as the property you are applying for. You can apply online through the BCAD portal, by mail, or in person at 411 N. Frio St. in San Antonio. The standard filing deadline is April 30 of the tax year. Texas law also allows late filing up to two years after the delinquency date under Tax Code §11.431, so if you missed a prior year you may still be able to get a refund.

Once approved, a homestead exemption also triggers the 10% appraisal cap under Texas Tax Code §23.23. That cap limits how much your home's taxable value can increase each year. The cap applies starting January 1 of the year after your first year of eligibility—so if you qualify in 2025, the cap protects you beginning in tax year 2026. Check bcad.org for current forms and instructions.