Travis County Homestead Exemption Guide

Where do I file my Travis County homestead exemption?

What the Travis County homestead exemption does

A Texas residence homestead exemption removes part of a qualifying home’s value from taxation. That means the tax bill is figured on a lower taxable value for the taxing units that apply the exemption.

This guide is about the property-tax homestead exemption. It is not about bankruptcy homestead protection, creditor protection, or general tax programs. Texas uses the term “residence homestead” for the property-tax exemption on a homeowner’s principal residence.

In Travis County, the same basic Texas rules apply, but the actual result on a bill can vary by taxing unit. The Texas Comptroller property tax exemptions page explains the statewide framework. TCAD also posts a list of Travis County taxing entities and their adopted exemptions from its homestead page. Use that list only as a starting point, because local options can change.

Who may qualify in Travis County

For the general residence homestead exemption, you generally must own the property and use it as your principal residence. TCAD states that the exemption is available to taxpayers who own and reside at the property as of January 1 of the year. TCAD also notes that, in limited circumstances, a property owner may be eligible as early as the move-in date if the prior owner did not have an exemption and the new owner is not already claiming one for that tax year.

You should not assume you qualify just because you own a house. The home must be your principal residence. You also cannot claim a residence homestead exemption on another residence homestead in Texas or outside Texas.

Which office does what

Many Travis County homeowners get stuck because several offices appear on property paperwork. Use this simple split.

How to apply with TCAD

TCAD says applications can be submitted online, by mail, or at the TCAD office. The online route is linked from the official TCAD homestead and forms pages. If you prefer paper, use the official form through TCAD or the Texas Comptroller.

The Texas Comptroller’s Form 50-114 is the statewide residence homestead application. It is filed with the appraisal district in the county where the property is located. For Travis County, that means TCAD. Do not file it with the Texas Comptroller.

TCAD says action on an application will occur within 90 days from the date it is received. If TCAD determines that you do not qualify, TCAD says you will be notified and offered an opportunity to protest the decision.

Deadline notes for Travis County homeowners

If you missed the deadline, do not assume the issue is over. Texas has late-filing rules for residence homestead exemptions. The Comptroller’s residence homestead materials state that a late application for a residence homestead exemption, including for a person age 65 or older or disabled, may be filed up to two years after the filing deadline has passed. Some disabled veteran homestead-related applications may have a different window. Contact TCAD and ask what to file for your exact situation.

Do not wait because you read that late filing may be possible. A late application still has to be accepted, reviewed, and approved or denied by the chief appraiser. If taxes are already due, a homestead issue may not stop deadlines for paying a bill.

Documents and facts to have ready

The exact documents depend on the exemption you request. A simple general homestead application usually needs less than an over-65, disability, disabled veteran, surviving spouse, inherited-home, mobile home, or trust situation.

• Your Travis County property address.
• Your TCAD account number, if you have it.
• The date you began occupying the property as your principal residence.
• A Texas driver’s license or Texas personal ID certificate with the same address as the property, unless an exception applies.
• Ownership information for each owner applying.
• Proof of age if applying for the person age 65 or older exemption.
• Social Security disability determination or other requested documentation if applying for the disabled person exemption.
• Veterans Affairs documentation if applying for a disabled veteran residence homestead exemption.
• Death certificate, marriage license, or other proof if applying as a surviving spouse.
• Mobile home title or verified purchase contract if the homestead is a mobile home and you do not own the land.

Special homestead situations

Homestead exemptions are simple for some homeowners and messy for others. The application can become more detailed if ownership, residency, age, disability, military status, death, or title history is not straightforward.

Recently bought or moved into the home

If you recently bought a Travis County home and live there as your principal residence, you can start the homestead process with TCAD. TCAD says a recently purchased home may be submitted now and the homestead will be applied to the year in which you qualify.

If you moved from another Texas homestead, do not assume the old exemption follows you. TCAD says you do not have to reapply every year unless the chief appraiser asks, you move to a new residence, or your qualifications change. A move to a new residence is a new exemption issue.

Age 65 or older

TCAD says the over-65 exemption is available in the year the property owner becomes 65. TCAD also explains that this exemption creates a school tax ceiling, sometimes called a tax freeze. That ceiling can be affected by new improvements such as a garage, pool, or other addition.

The Texas Comptroller states that school districts provide an additional residence homestead exemption for people age 65 or older. Local taxing units may also adopt their own options. Check TCAD’s taxing-entity exemption list or your property record for the current local details.

Disabled person exemption

TCAD explains that a person who meets the Social Security Administration’s disability standards may be eligible for a special homestead exemption. Documentation can include a current disability determination from the Social Security Administration. You generally cannot receive both the age 65 or older exemption and the disabled person exemption for the same home.

Disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses

Texas has several homestead-related exemptions for disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses. These rules vary by disability rating, exemption type, surviving spouse status, remarriage, and whether the home remains the residence homestead. Use TCAD’s homestead page and the Comptroller form before you file.

Surviving spouse after the homeowner dies

Do not assume the homestead exemption automatically continues forever after a death. Some surviving spouses may continue certain exemptions if they meet age, remarriage, ownership, and residence rules. TCAD says a surviving spouse of an over-65 homeowner may continue the exemptions and tax ceiling if the spouse is 55 or older and continues to own the home.

If there has been a death, gather the death certificate, marriage license if needed, ownership documents, and proof that the home remains your principal residence. Then ask TCAD which application sections or affidavits apply.

Inherited home or heir property

The Texas Comptroller explains that heir property can qualify for residence homestead treatment when the legal requirements are met. If you are not specifically identified as the residence homestead owner in a deed or other recorded instrument, the Comptroller says you may need an affidavit establishing ownership interest, a copy of the prior owner’s death certificate, a recent utility bill, and available court records relating to ownership.

Inherited homes can be hard because family ownership and occupancy do not always match the appraisal record. If siblings, relatives, or other heirs have ownership interests, ask TCAD what affidavits or authorizations are needed before you submit an incomplete application.

Trusts, divorce, deed changes, and added owners

If your home is in a trust, was transferred after a divorce, was put into a new deed, or has added or removed owners, do not rely on the old exemption without checking. TCAD may need to see documents showing who owns the home and who occupies it as the principal residence.

A deed change can also trigger questions about whether the exemption still belongs on the account. If your title changed but you still live in the home, contact TCAD before a notice or denial turns into a deadline problem.

What can go wrong

TCAD may request more information. If you do not answer on time, the application can be denied. If you are denied, read the notice carefully. Look for the reason, the protest instructions, and the deadline to respond.

If you paid a filing service or received a mailer that looks official, slow down and compare it with TCAD’s official pages. The Travis County Tax Office states that it is free to apply for the general homestead exemption through TCAD. You do not need a paid company just to access the official homestead application.

If TCAD asks you to verify your homestead exemption

TCAD says you do not have to reapply every year unless the chief appraiser requests a new application in writing, you move, or your qualifications change. TCAD also says Texas law requires appraisal districts to audit exemption records every five years.

If you receive a verification letter, do not ignore it. Go to the TCAD exemption verification page and follow the official instructions. TCAD says owners asked to verify should submit an updated exemption application with a valid Texas driver’s license or ID, and the address on the ID must match the exempted property.

Property-tax homestead exemption is not bankruptcy homestead protection

Texas homeowners may hear the word “homestead” in more than one legal setting. This page is only about the Travis County property-tax residence homestead exemption.

Bankruptcy homestead protection and creditor protection are different legal issues. Filing a TCAD homestead exemption application does not solve a bankruptcy, foreclosure, lien, divorce, Medicaid, probate, or creditor problem. For those issues, contact a qualified legal-aid organization or attorney.

Official places to start

Independent editorial note

This guide was prepared using official Travis Central Appraisal District, Travis County Tax Office, and Texas Comptroller sources, plus related official form information. Homestead exemption rules, forms, exemption amounts, local options, and deadlines can change. Before filing, appealing, paying a bill, or relying on a deadline, confirm the current rule with TCAD or the official office responsible for your situation.