Homestead exemption can lower your tax bill

A homestead exemption lowers the value used to calculate your property tax. To qualify, you must own the home and use it as your main residence. In most cases, ownership and use must be in place on January 1 of the tax year. However, if you buy a home after January 1 and the previous owner did not already claim the exemption for that year, you may qualify for a prorated exemption for the remaining portion of the year.

Texas law limits how fast your appraised value can rise each year. That cap only applies after you have the exemption in place. You apply at the Jeff Davis County Appraisal District in Fort Davis. The appraisal district is the local office that values your property for tax purposes.

Deadlines and exemption amounts can change. Check the appraisal district website or the Texas Comptroller's exemption page before you apply. Both are listed in the sources below.