Texas Porch

Homestead Exemption

How the homestead exemption works in Starr County

If your home here is your main residence, a Texas homestead exemption can lower the taxable value — and Starr County has boosted its local exemption for seniors and disabled residents.

Starr County Money & Taxes

Texas requires school districts to give homeowners a $140,000 exemption on a residence homestead. That means your school district taxes only the value above $140,000. Other local taxing units can add their own amounts on top of that.

Starr County has a local exemption for residents over 65 or with disabilities. Texas requires this local option exemption to be at least $3,000, but taxing units may set a higher amount. To qualify for any homestead exemption, the home must be your main residence on January 1 of the tax year. You apply with the Starr County Appraisal District in Rio Grande City. Contact SCAD directly for the current local exemption amount and filing deadline.

Source to confirm: Starr County Appraisal District — Homestead Exemption

More Starr County notes

Property Tax

Who handles property taxes in Starr County

Two separate offices handle property taxes here — one sets your value, the other collects the bill.

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Agricultural Valuation

Ag valuation can cut your property tax bill on rural land

Farm and ranch land in Starr County can be taxed on what it produces, not what it would sell for — and that can mean a much lower tax bill.

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Mineral Rights / Oil & Gas

Oil and gas have shaped Starr County for nearly a century

Starr County has a long oil and gas history, so mineral rights questions often come up when buying land here.

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Groundwater / Water Wells

Starr County has its own groundwater district

The Starr County Groundwater Conservation District manages underground water use — contact them before you drill a well.

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