If you own and live in your home in Texas, the homestead exemption is the single easiest way to lower your property taxes, and many new owners still forget to file. Here is what it is worth in 2026, who qualifies, and how to file in Harris, Brazoria and Galveston counties.

How Much Does the Homestead Exemption Save?

  • School district exemption: $140,000. Texas voters raised the school homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 in November 2025 (Proposition 13). That means $140,000 of your home's value is not taxed by your school district.
  • Age 65 or older, or disabled: an extra $60,000 off school taxes, for a combined $200,000. If you qualify as both 65+ and disabled, you choose one of the two extra exemptions.
  • Local optional exemptions: counties, cities and other taxing units can offer up to 20% of the home's value. Harris County offers a 20% homestead exemption, and the City of Pearland has offered a smaller percentage exemption. Amounts vary by city and can change each year, so check the exemptions listed on your appraisal district account.

Example: on a $300,000 home, the school district taxes only $160,000 of value after a $140,000 exemption. Your exact savings depend on your school district's tax rate.

The 10% Homestead Cap

Once your homestead exemption is in place, the appraised value used for taxes cannot go up more than 10% per year, plus the value of any new improvements. The cap starts the year after your home first qualifies, so it protects you from big jumps in a hot market.

Who Qualifies?

  • You must own the home and live in it as your principal residence. You can only have one homestead.
  • The address on your Texas driver's license or state ID must match the home's address.
  • Since 2022, Texas law lets new buyers qualify starting on the date they take ownership and move in, instead of waiting until the next January 1. Some appraisal districts still ask you to file between January 1 and April 30, so check with yours.

How to File in Harris, Brazoria and Galveston County

You file with the appraisal district for the county where your home is, not with the city. The application is free. Be wary of mailers that offer to file for a fee.

  • Harris County (Houston, Pasadena, South Houston, Deer Park, part of Pearland): file online or with the homestead form on the Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) website.
  • Brazoria County (most of Pearland, Manvel, Iowa Colony, Alvin): file with the Brazoria Central Appraisal District using the state Residence Homestead Exemption Application (Form 50-114).
  • Galveston County (Friendswood, League City, Dickinson): file with the Galveston Central Appraisal District.
  • Fort Bend County (part of Shadow Creek Ranch, Missouri City, Sugar Land): file with the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District.

You will need a copy of your Texas driver's license or ID showing the home's address. Once approved, you generally do not need to reapply every year unless the appraisal district asks.

Deadlines

  • File as soon as you can after you move in. The standard deadline for most exemptions is April 30.
  • Missed it? You can file late, up to two years after the tax delinquency date (usually February 1), and get a refund if you already paid.
  • If you disagree with your appraised value, the deadline to protest is May 15 or 30 days after your notice was delivered, whichever is later.

Seniors 65+: The School Tax Ceiling

Once you qualify for the 65+ or disabled exemption, your school district taxes on that home are frozen at the amount you paid in the first year you qualified, unless you make major improvements. A surviving spouse 55 or older can keep the ceiling, and part of the ceiling can transfer if you move. Some cities and counties also freeze their taxes for seniors.

Disabled Veterans

  • 100% disabled (or rated individually unemployable) for a service-connected disability: a total exemption from property taxes on the homestead. An unremarried surviving spouse can keep it.
  • 10% to 99% disabled: a partial exemption of $5,000 to $12,000 of value, depending on your rating.

Read more in our VA loans and veteran benefits guide.

Buying Your First Home?

We remind every buyer we work with to file their homestead exemption after closing, and we show you the estimated taxes with and without it before you make an offer. If the home is in a MUD, read our MUD tax guide too. Contact us or call 713-996-9755.

Sources: Texas Comptroller, property tax exemptions; HCAD, exemptions for homeowners; Texas Tax Code sections 11.13, 11.43, 23.23 and 41.44. This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice. Confirm details with your appraisal district.