What homestead exemption applies to my home?
Start with your state, then confirm the rule with the official office that handles your property record. In many places, that office is the county assessor, county auditor, property appraiser, appraisal district, parish assessor, city assessor, or local tax assessor.
Do not assume every state uses the words “homestead exemption.” Some states use names like Homeowners’ Exemption, Principal Residence Exemption, STAR, Primary Residential Exemption, Homestead Classification, or Residential Exemption. Some states do not have a standard property-tax homestead exemption at all.
The table below points you to the right official starting place. It is not a filing decision. Local deadlines, school district rules, trust ownership, disability status, veteran status, age rules, and recent title changes can change what you need to do.
Important: HomesteadExemption.org is an independent guide. It is not a government agency, law firm, tax-prep company, county assessor, property appraiser, tax collector, or filing service.
Use this table as a starting point
Homestead rules are often local. Even when a state law creates the exemption, a county, city, parish, town, appraisal district, or state tax office may decide whether your home qualifies. The same state may have different forms, portals, and late-filing rules by county.
If you recently bought the home, inherited it, placed it in a trust, changed your deed, got married or divorced, moved out, rented part of the home, or became a surviving spouse, contact the official office that handles your parcel before relying on a general summary.
State-by-state homestead exemption comparison
| State | Official name or direct answer | Where to start | Timing to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Homestead Exemptions | County revenue commissioner, tax assessor, or tax collector. | Many counties use Dec. 31 for new claims or changes. Confirm locally. |
| Alaska | No standard all-homeowner property-tax homestead exemption. Alaska has mandatory primary-residence exemptions for some seniors and disabled veterans. | Municipal or borough assessor; see the state exemption summary. | Local governments set filing procedures. |
| Arizona | No standard property-tax homestead exemption. Arizona uses primary residence classification rules; its legal homestead exemption is mainly creditor protection. | County assessor for primary residence status. | Check county assessment notices and appeal periods. |
| Arkansas | Homestead Property Tax Credit | County assessor. | Many counties use Oct. 15 for the current tax bill. Confirm locally. |
| California | Homeowners’ Exemption | County assessor. | Feb. 15 is commonly used for the full exemption on that year’s roll. |
| Colorado | No standard all-age statewide homestead exemption. Colorado has senior and veteran-related homestead-style programs. | County assessor; see state senior primary residence information. | Deadlines depend on the program. County senior homestead applications commonly use July 15. |
| Connecticut | No single statewide standard homestead exemption. Some municipalities may adopt local homestead-style exemptions. | Town or city assessor. Connecticut directs property tax questions to the local assessor or tax collector. | Local only. |
| Delaware | No standard all-homeowner homestead exemption. Delaware has primary-residence school-tax benefits for certain older homeowners. | County office; see Delaware senior school property tax credit information. | County filing dates apply. |
| District of Columbia | Homestead Deduction and Assessment Cap | DC Office of Tax and Revenue. | File as soon as the home is your principal residence. DC applies timing by tax period. |
| Florida | Homestead Exemption | County property appraiser. | March 1 is the standard filing deadline. |
| Georgia | Homestead Exemptions | County tax commissioner, tax assessor, or local filing office. | April 1 is common, but the official date follows the county’s property tax return deadline. |
| Hawaii | County home exemption programs, such as Honolulu’s Home Exemption | County real property assessment office. | Deadlines vary by county. Honolulu uses Sept. 30 for the next tax year. |
| Idaho | Homeowner’s Exemption | County assessor. | Apply with the assessor and ask about ownership or occupancy changes. |
| Illinois | General Homestead Exemption | Chief county assessment office or county assessor. | Application and renewal rules vary by county and exemption type. |
| Indiana | Homestead Deduction | County auditor; see an Indiana county deduction page. | Real property deductions are commonly tied to Dec. 31 eligibility and early January filing. |
| Iowa | Homestead Tax Credit | City or county assessor. | Applications are due July 1 for the current tax year. |
| Kansas | No standard property-tax homestead exemption. Kansas uses “Homestead” for a refund claim, and creditor homestead protection is separate. | Kansas Department of Revenue for the Homestead claim; county appraiser for property records. | Do not treat the refund claim as an assessor-filed exemption. |
| Kentucky | Homestead Exemption for qualifying seniors and totally disabled homeowners | County Property Valuation Administrator. | Apply with the PVA for the year sought. |
| Louisiana | Homestead Exemption | Parish assessor, such as the Jefferson Parish Assessor. | File after purchase and occupancy. Parish procedures can vary. |
| Maine | Homestead Exemption Program | Municipal assessor. | File by April 1 with the municipality. |
| Maryland | Homestead Tax Credit | Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation. | File the SDAT application and check status. |
| Massachusetts | No single statewide homestead exemption for property tax. Some cities and towns offer a local residential exemption. | City or town assessor; see the state law for local residential exemptions. | Local deadlines apply. |
| Michigan | Principal Residence Exemption | Local assessor. | Michigan uses June 1 and Nov. 1 filing dates. |
| Minnesota | Homestead Classification | County assessor. | Apply by Dec. 31 and report later changes. |
| Mississippi | Homestead Exemption | County tax assessor. | File Jan. 1 through April 1. Reapply after certain changes. |
| Missouri | No standard statewide all-homeowner property-tax homestead exemption. Missouri’s homestead law also includes creditor protection. | County assessor or collector for tax questions; state law explains creditor homestead protection. | Ask the county whether any local or age-based program applies. |
| Montana | Homestead Reduced Rate | Montana Department of Revenue and county property record offices. | Check the current DOR application window and occupancy rules. |
| Nebraska | Homestead Exemption for qualifying seniors, disabled homeowners, veterans, and related categories | County assessor; see the state filing deadline notice. | Normal filing period is Feb. 1 through June 30. |
| Nevada | No standard property-tax homestead exemption. Nevada’s homestead declaration is mainly creditor protection. | County assessor for property classification; state law for homestead declarations. | Do not treat a creditor declaration as a tax exemption. |
| New Hampshire | No standard property-tax homestead exemption. New Hampshire’s homestead right is creditor protection. | Local assessing office; state law for the homestead right. | Local exemptions are separate. |
| New Jersey | No current property-tax homestead exemption by that name. New Jersey uses other homeowner programs, including ANCHOR. | New Jersey Treasury for ANCHOR; local assessor for property records. | Do not treat ANCHOR as a county homestead exemption. |
| New Mexico | Head of Family Exemption, a homestead-style primary residence exemption | County assessor, such as the San Juan County Assessor. | County filing procedures apply. |
| New York | No statewide program named homestead exemption. STAR is New York’s main primary-residence school-tax benefit. | New York Tax Department for STAR; local assessor for exemption status. | Deadlines depend on STAR status and the local roll calendar. |
| North Carolina | No all-age homestead exemption. North Carolina has a homestead-style exclusion for elderly or permanently disabled homeowners. | County tax office; see a county elderly or disabled exclusion. | June 1 is commonly used. |
| North Dakota | Primary Residence Credit, plus a separate Homestead Property Tax Credit for seniors and disabled homeowners | North Dakota Tax Department and county property tax offices. | Primary Residence Credit application period is Jan. 1 through April 1. |
| Ohio | Homestead Exemption for qualifying seniors, disabled homeowners, veterans, and surviving spouses | County auditor; see a county application window. | Dec. 31 is commonly used for the application year. |
| Oklahoma | Homestead Exemption | County assessor. | File by March 15 for the current year, or within the allowed notice window. |
| Oregon | No statewide general homestead exemption for property tax. | County assessor for records; Oregon DOR for exemption information. | Oregon states it has no statewide general homestead exemption. |
| Pennsylvania | Homestead Exclusion | County assessment office. | March 1 is the statutory filing deadline. |
| Rhode Island | No single statewide homestead exemption. Some cities and towns offer local residential or homestead exemptions. | City or town assessor, such as the Providence Tax Assessor. | Local deadlines and amounts apply. |
| South Carolina | Homestead Exemption for qualifying seniors, disabled homeowners, and legally blind homeowners | County auditor; see Greenville County’s homestead page. | Many counties use Jan. 1 through July 15. |
| South Dakota | No broad all-homeowner homestead exemption. South Dakota has specific owner-occupied and age or disability-related programs. | County director of equalization; see the state homestead form. | Program rules and deadlines depend on the exemption. |
| Tennessee | No standard property-tax homestead exemption. Tennessee’s homestead concept is mainly creditor protection; county property tax programs are separate. | County trustee or assessor; Tennessee Comptroller for separate property tax programs. | Do not confuse tax programs with creditor protection. |
| Texas | Residence Homestead Exemption | County appraisal district. | File before May 1 when possible. The chief appraiser decides eligibility. |
| Utah | Primary Residential Exemption | County assessor. | County forms and response deadlines apply. |
| Vermont | Homestead Declaration | Vermont Department of Taxes and town lister or assessor; see Form HS-122. | Annual filing. The 2026 form lists April 15 as the due date. |
| Virginia | No statewide property-tax homestead exemption. Virginia’s homestead exemption is mainly creditor protection. | Local commissioner of the revenue or assessor; state law for homestead protection. | Local tax exemptions are separate. |
| Washington | No standard all-homeowner homestead exemption. Washington has exemptions for qualifying seniors, disabled homeowners, and certain veterans. | County assessor; see the state exemption page. | County filing rules apply. |
| West Virginia | Homestead Exemption for qualifying seniors and permanently disabled homeowners | County assessor; see Fayette County. | Many counties use July 1 through Dec. 1 for the next tax year. |
| Wisconsin | No standard property-tax homestead exemption. Wisconsin uses other terms, including Homestead Credit and Lottery and Gaming Credit. | Wisconsin DOR for the Lottery and Gaming Credit; local assessor for records. | Check the exact program name before filing. |
| Wyoming | Owner-Occupied or Homeowners Exemption beginning with 2026 property tax rules | Wyoming property tax division and county assessor; see the state owner-occupied affidavit. | For 2026, counties list Oct. 1, 2025 through March 1, 2026. Confirm the current year. |
How to use the table without making a costly mistake
Match the exact official name
Search results can mix several different ideas together. A “homestead exemption” may mean a property-tax exemption in one state, a principal residence classification in another, and creditor protection in another. Use the official name in your state row before you fill out any form.
Start with the office that controls your parcel
Most homeowners should start with the county assessor, property appraiser, appraisal district, parish assessor, city assessor, town assessor, county auditor, or similar office. That office can usually see your parcel, deeded owner, mailing address, property class, exemption history, and any missing application.
Check the year, not just the deadline
A filing date may apply to the next tax year, the current assessment year, a school-tax year, or a tax bill that will not arrive for months. Ask the official office which tax year your application will affect.
What homeowners are usually asked to prove
The exact list varies, but many offices ask for some combination of these facts:
- your name as shown on the deed or property record;
- the property address and parcel number;
- whether the home is your principal or primary residence;
- the date you bought, inherited, occupied, or moved into the home;
- driver’s license, state ID, voter registration, vehicle registration, or other residence proof;
- trust documents if the home is titled in a trust;
- death certificate or probate documents for a surviving spouse or inherited home;
- disability, veteran, age, or income documents if the exemption is limited to those categories.
Do not send original documents unless the official office tells you to. If you apply online, use the official portal listed by the assessor, property appraiser, appraisal district, revenue department, or local government.
Common problems that can block or delay a homestead filing
A denial does not always mean the office thinks you did something wrong. It often means the property record and the application do not line up. Common issues include:
- the deed has not been recorded or updated yet;
- the mailing address looks like a different residence;
- the homeowner is still claiming a similar benefit in another state;
- the home is owned by an LLC, corporation, estate, or trust that does not meet the local rule;
- the applicant moved in after the qualifying date;
- the home is partly rented or used for business;
- a spouse, co-owner, or prior owner already has an active claim;
- the homeowner missed the deadline and the state has limited late-filing rights.
If you receive a denial, read the reason carefully. Then ask the official office whether there is a correction form, appeal form, late application, or missing document process.
Special situations: moved, inherited, trust, divorce, or death
Homestead exemptions are tied to ownership and occupancy. That is why title changes matter. A home that qualified last year may need a new form after a deed change, trust transfer, death of an owner, divorce, remarriage, or move.
If you inherited the home, ask whether the estate, heir, surviving spouse, or new owner must file. If the home is in a trust, ask whether the trust language lets the occupant claim the exemption. If you recently moved from another state, make sure you are not still claiming a similar primary residence benefit on the old home.
If you are late, act quickly
Some states and counties allow late filing. Others do not, or only allow it for a limited time. A few offices can apply the exemption only to a future year after the deadline passes.
Ask the official office three direct questions: Can I still file for this tax year? If not, when will a new application first affect my bill? Is there a written appeal, waiver, correction, or late-filing process?
Property-tax homestead is not the same as bankruptcy homestead protection
This page is about property-tax homestead exemptions and homestead-style primary residence benefits. Some states also use the words “homestead exemption” for creditor protection, bankruptcy exemptions, or deed-recorded homestead declarations. Those rules are different.
A property-tax homestead filing may reduce taxable value, limit assessment growth, classify the home as a principal residence, or create another tax-bill effect. A creditor or bankruptcy homestead exemption protects some home equity from certain creditors. Filing one does not automatically create the other.
Be careful with paid filing pages
Homestead filing is usually handled by a public office. A private company may charge for help, reminders, or form preparation, but that does not make it the official filing office. Before paying, check whether the same form is available from the official assessor, property appraiser, appraisal district, auditor, revenue department, or local government site.
Independent editorial note
This guide was prepared using official state, county, city, assessor, property appraiser, appraisal district, revenue department, and tax agency sources where available. High-trust local examples are used when state rules depend on local offices.
Rules, deadlines, forms, exemption amounts, and office procedures can change. Before you file, appeal, miss a deadline, transfer title, or rely on an exemption, confirm the current rule with the official office that handles your property.
About this guide
HomesteadExemption.org is an independent informational website. It does not file applications, decide eligibility, collect property taxes, prepare tax returns, give legal advice, or represent any government office.