Homestead Exemption

Homestead exemption cuts your school tax bill

Texas law requires school districts to exempt a set amount of your home's value from school taxes — but you must file to get it.

Matagorda County Money & Taxes

If you own and live in your home as your main residence, you qualify for a homestead exemption. Texas law requires school districts to exempt $140,000 of your home's value from school property taxes. That can make a real difference on your annual bill.

You file the exemption application with the Matagorda County Appraisal District, not the tax collector. The general deadline is before May 1 of the tax year, but check with the appraisal district for the current deadline. Use Form 50-114 from the Texas Comptroller.

Source to confirm: Texas Comptroller — Property Tax Exemptions

More Matagorda County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two separate offices handle property taxes here

Matagorda County has two separate offices for property taxes — one sets values, and one collects the bills.

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Coastal Windstorm Insurance

Coastal homes may need windstorm insurance through the state

Matagorda County is one of 14 Texas coastal counties where private windstorm insurance can be hard to get, so many homeowners use the state's backup insurer instead.

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Flood Maps

Flood maps for this county were recently revised

FEMA released revised preliminary flood maps for Matagorda County in early 2025, which could change flood insurance requirements for some properties.

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Wildlife Management Area

Matagorda Island is a wild, boat-only public hunting and fishing area

Matagorda Island WMA covers more than 56,000 acres of barrier island and marsh, and you can only get there by boat.

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