Property Tax Savings Guide
Homestead & Disabled Veteran Exemptions in Texas — what you qualify for and how to claim it
Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are among the highest in the nation. The good news: the state offers powerful exemptions that can dramatically reduce your annual tax bill — and many homeowners, especially veterans, leave thousands of dollars on the table simply because they don't know they qualify or how to apply.
"A 100% disabled veteran in Texas pays zero property taxes on their primary residence. That's not a small benefit — for a $350,000 home in Bexar County, that's potentially $7,000+ back in your pocket every year."
Homestead Exemption
Who qualifies and what you save
The Texas General Homestead Exemption is available to any homeowner who uses their property as their primary residence on January 1 of the tax year. You only need to apply once — it stays in place as long as you own and occupy the home.
School District Exemption
$100,000 reduction in your home's taxable value for school district taxes — the largest portion of your tax bill.
10% Annual Cap
Your assessed value cannot increase more than 10% per year once the homestead exemption is in place, regardless of market appreciation.
County & City Exemptions
Many counties and cities offer additional exemptions on top of the state minimum. Bexar County offers an additional $5,000 exemption.
Over-65 & Disability Add-On
Homeowners 65+ or with a qualifying disability receive an additional $10,000 school district exemption and a tax freeze on school taxes.
How to Apply
File Form 50-114 with your county appraisal district by April 30 of the year you're claiming the exemption. For Bexar County, file with the Bexar Appraisal District (bcad.net). You'll need your Texas driver's license or ID showing your property address.
Disabled Veteran Exemptions
Texas honors its veterans with some of the most generous exemptions in the nation
Texas offers a tiered property tax exemption for veterans with a VA disability rating. The higher your rating, the larger your exemption — and at 100% disability, your primary residence is completely exempt from property taxes.
Surviving Spouses
Surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability may also qualify for the 100% exemption, provided they have not remarried and continue to own and occupy the property.
How to Apply
File Form 50-135 (Disabled Veteran's or Survivor's Exemption) with your county appraisal district. You'll need a copy of your VA disability rating letter. There is no deadline — you can apply at any time, but exemptions apply from the date of application, not retroactively.
County Appraisal District Contacts
Action Checklist
- Confirm your primary residence address matches your TX driver's license
- File homestead exemption (Form 50-114) by April 30
- Obtain your current VA disability rating letter
- File veteran exemption (Form 50-135) with your county appraisal district
- Check for additional city/county exemptions beyond the state minimum
- Verify your exemption appears on your next appraisal notice
- Surviving spouses: confirm eligibility and file Form 50-135
Buying a Home in San Antonio or Omaha?
I'll make sure you know every exemption you qualify for before you close — and connect you with the right resources to file immediately after move-in.
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