Property Tax Savings

Homestead Exemption Can Lower Your Tax Bill in Big Spring

If you own and live in your home in Howard County, a homestead exemption can reduce the taxable value of your property.

Texas law requires school districts to give homeowners a $140,000 exemption on the school portion of their property tax. That means the school district taxes only the value above $140,000. Other local taxing units — like the county itself — may offer additional exemptions.

To get the exemption, you file an application with the Howard County Appraisal District. You only need to apply once as long as you stay in the same home. The general filing deadline is before May 1 of the tax year, but check with HCAD for the current deadline. You can reach HCAD at 432-263-8301 or cad@howardcad.org.

Source to confirm: Texas Comptroller — Homestead Exemptions

More Howard County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two Offices Handle Your Property Tax in Howard County

Howard County has two separate offices for property taxes — the appraisal district sets your value, and the tax assessor-collector sends your bill.

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Agricultural Appraisal

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

In Howard County, agricultural land can qualify for a special lower tax valuation based on what the land produces, not what it would sell for.

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Groundwater Rules

A Groundwater District Regulates Water Wells in Most of Howard County

Most of Howard County falls under the Permian Basin Underground Water Conservation District, which requires permits and spacing rules for new water wells.

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Mineral Rights

Oil and Gas Activity Is Common in Howard County — Know Who Owns the Minerals

Howard County sits in the Permian Basin, where active oil and gas drilling is common — and mineral rights are often owned separately from the surface land.

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