Texas Porch

Property tax

Texas homestead exemption cuts your school tax bill

If you own and live in your home in Brewster County, a homestead exemption removes $140,000 from the appraised value before your school district taxes are figured.

Brewster County Money & Taxes

Texas gives every homeowner a $140,000 school district homestead exemption. You must live in the home as your main residence. The Brewster County Appraisal District is the local office that sets your home's value. If your home is valued at $250,000, your school taxes are figured on only $110,000.

Homeowners 65 or older — or those with a qualifying disability — can add another $60,000 school district exemption on top of that. Other exemptions exist too, such as those for disabled veterans and surviving spouses.

You must apply. It does not happen on its own. File form 50-114 with the Brewster County Appraisal District at 1604 W. Hwy. 90 in Alpine. Check their site for the current deadline, since deadlines can change.

Brewster County has seven taxing entities. They are the county, the City of Alpine, three school districts, a small independent school district, and the Big Bend Regional Hospital District. Your total tax bill combines rates from each entity that covers your property. Check the Comptroller's county directory for the full list.

Source to confirm: Texas Comptroller — Property Tax Exemptions

More Brewster County notes

Water / Wells

Private wells in Brewster County fall under a local water district

The Brewster County Groundwater Conservation District manages well permits and water use. Four aquifers supply groundwater across the county.

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National Park

Big Bend National Park occupies a large part of Brewster County

Big Bend National Park covers 801,163 acres entirely within Brewster County and protects the largest stretch of Chihuahuan Desert in the United States.

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State Park

Big Bend Ranch State Park: Texas's largest state park straddles two counties

Big Bend Ranch State Park covers roughly 310,000 acres across southwestern Brewster County and southeastern Presidio County, with 238 miles of trails and International Dark Sky Park status.

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Ag / Wildlife tax valuation

Ranch land in Brewster County can qualify for ag tax rates through wildlife management

Texas lets landowners keep lower agricultural property tax rates by managing their land for native wildlife instead of traditional farming or ranching.

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