A homestead exemption can lower your property tax bill

You must live in the home as your main residence. If you owned and lived in it on January 1, you qualify for that full year. If you bought after January 1, you may still receive the exemption for the remaining portion of that tax year — but only if the previous owner did not already claim the homestead exemption for that year. You can only claim one homestead exemption in Texas. File the form with the Nueces Central Appraisal District — that is the office that sets your value, not the one that sends your bill.

The state gives a general exemption that lowers the value used to figure your tax. People age 65 or older and disabled homeowners can get extra exemptions on top of that. Deadlines and amounts can change from year to year. Check the appraisal district website or the Texas Comptroller site for current numbers before you apply.