Texas Homeowners Must Act Soon to Preserve Their Homestead Tax Benefits

By Seychelle Van Poole

Seychelle is a specialist in meeting the needs of sellers and buyers, and serves as the Team Director for Van Poole Properties Group. Being named Top 30 Under 30 by the National Association of Realtors for 2011, Seychelle is an expert negotiator, marketing and sales analyst, and is dedicated to making the buying and selling process stress-free and enjoyable.

We have crucial information that could impact your property taxes as a Texas homeowner. The state Senate recently passed a bill requiring homeowners to reapply for their homestead exemption every five years. This exemption is a valuable way to save on property taxes, and failing to renew it within 30 days could result in losing the exemption for the next year.

If you’ve lived in your property for over five years, expect a letter in the mail asking you to reapply for your homestead exemption. This letter will also include requests to renew your 65+ exemption, veteran benefits, and disability exemption if applicable.

To ensure you don’t miss the deadline and risk losing your homestead exemption, here’s what you need to know:

You must be the owner of the property, and it must be your primary residence. Your driver’s license address must match your primary residence address. If they don’t match, visit the driver’s license office to update your information promptly. If your property is held in a trust, provide the first two pages of the trust document demonstrating your ownership, along with the signature page.

As the county assessors will be sending out letters in batches, be prepared to receive one if it’s been over five years since you last applied for your homestead, 65+, disability, or veteran benefits. Remember, you have a tight 30-day window to complete and return the required forms.

We understand that this new requirement might catch many homeowners off guard, so we wanted to share this information. Losing your homestead exemption can lead to unnecessary stress and financial burdens. If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, feel free to reach out to us.

Stay informed, protect your homestead exemption, and ensure your property taxes remain manageable. Don’t hesitate to contact us by calling or sending us an email for further support – we’re here to help you navigate this process smoothly.