How much is the homestead exemption in Texas?
Every Texas school district must exempt $140,000 of a homestead's appraised value, and $60,000 more for owners 65 or older or disabled; these amounts were raised from $100,000 and $10,000 by 2025 legislation that voters approved in November 2025, effective for tax year 2025.[1][2] Other units choose their own exemptions: a local-option homestead of up to 20% of value (at least $5,000) and an over-65 amount of at least $3,000.[2]
| County | Area | No exemption | Homestead | Saves | Age 65+ | Saves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris County | City of Houston, Houston ISD | $7,477 | $4,813 | $2,664 | $889 | $6,588 |
| Harris County | Unincorporated Harris County, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (Lone Star College) | $6,366 | $3,686 | $2,681 | $935 | $5,431 |
| Harris County | City of Pasadena, Pasadena ISD (San Jacinto College) | $8,569 | $5,776 | $2,793 | $2,682 | $5,887 |
| Dallas County | City of Dallas, Dallas ISD | $7,793 | $5,191 | $2,602 | $2,490 | $5,303 |
| Dallas County | City of Garland, Garland ISD | $8,382 | $6,103 | $2,279 | $4,452 | $3,929 |
| Dallas County | City of Irving, Irving ISD | $7,487 | $5,278 | $2,208 | $3,781 | $3,706 |
| Tarrant County | City of Fort Worth, Fort Worth ISD | $7,795 | $5,612 | $2,182 | $4,184 | $3,610 |
| Tarrant County | City of Arlington, Arlington ISD | $7,668 | $5,445 | $2,223 | $4,177 | $3,491 |
| Bexar County | City of San Antonio, Northside ISD | $8,260 | $6,002 | $2,258 | $4,455 | $3,805 |
| Bexar County | City of San Antonio, San Antonio ISD | $8,792 | $6,321 | $2,470 | $4,821 | $3,971 |
| Travis County | City of Austin, Austin ISD | $7,424 | $5,363 | $2,060 | $2,499 | $4,925 |
| Collin County | City of Plano, Plano ISD | $5,960 | $4,125 | $1,836 | $3,204 | $2,757 |
| Collin County | City of McKinney, McKinney ISD | $5,990 | $4,413 | $1,576 | $3,276 | $2,714 |
| Collin County | City of Frisco, Frisco ISD | $5,871 | $4,063 | $1,808 | $2,984 | $2,887 |
| Collin County | City of Allen, Allen ISD | $6,129 | $4,428 | $1,701 | $3,431 | $2,697 |
| Denton County | City of Denton, Denton ISD | $6,596 | $4,973 | $1,623 | $4,181 | $2,416 |
| Denton County | City of Lewisville, Lewisville ISD | $5,942 | $4,423 | $1,518 | $3,676 | $2,266 |
| Denton County | Town of Flower Mound, Lewisville ISD | $5,770 | $3,980 | $1,789 | $2,652 | $3,118 |
| Denton County | City of Frisco (Denton County part), Frisco ISD | $5,699 | $3,965 | $1,734 | $2,912 | $2,787 |
Local-option and over-65 amounts by county
The local exemptions differ a lot: Harris County, its Flood Control and Hospital districts exempt $336,000 for owners 65 or older, while some cities give $50,000 or $60,000.[2][1][9][3]
| County | Local-option homestead | Over-65 / disabled amounts |
|---|---|---|
| Harris County | 20% (Harris County, Flood Control, Port, Hospital District, Dept. of Education, City of Houston, Houston ISD, Cy-Fair ISD); 17% (Houston City College); 8% (Lone Star College); 8% (San Jacinto College); 15% (City of Pasadena); 10% (Pasadena ISD) | Harris County, Flood Control, Hospital District, Dept. of Education: $336,000; Port of Houston Authority: $320,000; City of Houston: $260,000; Houston City College: $135,000; Lone Star College: $75,000; San Jacinto College: $140,000; City of Pasadena: $50,000; total school exemption incl. state $60,000 (Houston ISD): $65,000; total school exemption incl. state $60,000 (Cy-Fair ISD): $75,000; total school exemption incl. state $60,000 (Pasadena ISD): $65,000 |
| Dallas County | 20% (Dallas County, Parkland, Dallas College, City of Dallas, City of Irving); 10% (Dallas ISD); 11% (City of Garland) | or disabled homestead (school districts, state-mandated, in addition to $140,000): $60,000; Dallas County, Parkland, Dallas College: $100,000; City of Dallas: $175,000; City of Garland, City of Irving: $60,000; total school exemption incl. state $60,000 (Dallas ISD): $95,000 |
| Tarrant County | 20% (Tarrant County, JPS, City of Fort Worth, City of Arlington); 1% (Tarrant County College; $5,000 minimum) | or disabled homestead (school districts, state-mandated, in addition to $140,000): $60,000; Tarrant County, JPS, Tarrant County College, Tarrant Regional Water District); disabled: $10,000 (TCC $3,000: $50,000; City of Fort Worth: $80,000; City of Arlington: $60,000 |
| Bexar County | 20% (Bexar County, Road & Flood, University Health, City of San Antonio); 4% (San Antonio River Authority; $5,000 minimum); 1% (Alamo Colleges; $5,000 minimum) | or disabled homestead (school districts, state-mandated, in addition to $140,000): $60,000; (Bexar County); disabled: $5,000: $50,000; San Antonio River Authority: $5,000; Alamo Colleges: $50,000; University Health; no disabled exemption listed: $30,000; City of San Antonio: $85,000; local option on top of state $60,000 (Northside ISD): $13,330 |
| Travis County | 20% (Travis County, Central Health, City of Austin); 1% (Austin Community College; $5,000 minimum) | or disabled homestead (school districts, state-mandated, in addition to $140,000): $60,000; Travis County: $145,269; Central Health: $197,000; Austin Community College: $75,000; City of Austin: $204,000; local option on top of state $60,000 (Austin ISD; disabled local option $15,000): $25,000 |
| Collin County | 5% (Collin County, City of Allen; $5,000 minimum); 20% (Collin College, City of Plano, City of Frisco; $5,000 minimum) | or disabled homestead (school districts, state-mandated, in addition to $140,000): $60,000; (Collin County); disabled: $20,000: $30,000; Collin College: $100,000; City of Plano: $40,000; City of McKinney: $90,000; City of Frisco: $80,000; (City of Allen); disabled: $25,000: $50,000 |
| Denton County | 1% (Denton County; $5,000 minimum); 20% (Town of Flower Mound, City of Frisco; $5,000 minimum) | or disabled homestead (school districts, state-mandated, in addition to $140,000): $60,000; (Denton County); disabled: $15,000 — one or the other, not both: $55,000; Town of Flower Mound: $150,000; City of Frisco: $80,000 |
Texas homestead exemption 2026: savings by home value
Because the school exemption is a flat $140,000 and the local options are percentages, the homestead exemption saves the most on mid-priced homes relative to their value. In the Houston area, at the latest adopted rates:[1][2]
| Appraised value | Tax with no exemption | Homestead saves | Homestead + 65 saves |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $4,273 | $2,028 | $4,242 |
| $300,000 | $6,409 | $2,452 | $6,002 |
| $400,000 | $8,545 | $2,876 | $7,071 |
| $600,000 | $12,818 | $3,725 | $8,027 |
| $900,000 | $19,227 | $4,998 | $9,300 |
How these savings compare with Cook County, California and Arizona on each county's median home is on homestead exemption savings.
Over-65 exemption and school tax ceiling
At 65 (or when disabled) you get the extra $60,000 school exemption and a school tax ceiling: the school tax cannot rise above what you paid in the first year you qualified, except for improvements. Some counties, cities and junior colleges also freeze their taxes for seniors.[3][4] A surviving spouse 55 or older keeps the over-65 exemption.[2]
Disabled veteran exemptions
Veterans with a VA disability rating get $5,000 (10–29%), $7,500 (30–49%), $10,000 (50–69%) or $12,000 (70%+) off the value for every unit, and a veteran rated 100% or unemployable pays no tax on the homestead.[5][6]
| VA rating | Estimated tax | Saving vs. no exemption |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead only | $4,813 | $2,664 |
| 10–29% | $4,706 | $2,771 |
| 30–49% | $4,653 | $2,824 |
| 50–69% | $4,600 | $2,878 |
| 70–99% | $4,557 | $2,920 |
| 100% or unemployable | $0 | $7,477 |
How to apply for the homestead exemption in Texas
- Own and live in the home as your principal residence on January 1.
- File the residence homestead application with your county appraisal district before May 1; a buyer can apply until the first anniversary of buying, and the over-65 exemption within a year of qualifying.[7]
- Check your next notice of appraised value: the homestead and the 10% cap should show.[8]
Use the full Texas property tax calculator for the whole bill, or a county page such as Harris County property tax. Senior programs in other states are on property tax exemptions for seniors.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the homestead exemption in Texas for 2026?
$140,000 off the school district value, plus whatever local-option exemption your county, city and other units grant (up to 20% of value).
What is the over-65 exemption in Texas?
An extra $60,000 off the school value and a school tax ceiling, plus any over-65 amount your county or city sets (for example $336,000 in Harris County, $175,000 in the City of Dallas).
When is the deadline for the Texas homestead exemption?
Before May 1 of the tax year; new buyers can apply until the first anniversary of buying.
Sources
- Property Tax Exemptions
- Texas Tax Code §11.13 – Residence Homestead
- Texas Tax Code §11.26 – Limitation of School Tax on Homesteads of Elderly or Disabled
- Texas Tax Code §11.261 – Limitation of County, Municipal, or Junior College District Tax on Homesteads of Disabled and Elderly
- Texas Tax Code §11.22 – Disabled Veterans
- Texas Tax Code §11.131 – Residence Homestead of 100 Percent or Totally Disabled Veteran
- Texas Tax Code §11.43 – Application for Exemption
- Texas Tax Code §23.23 – Limitation on Appraised Value of Residence Homestead
- Jurisdictions (rates, homestead percent, over-65 and disabled amounts; data feed behind the page)
- Appraisal and Tax Limitations
- 2025 Ad Valorem Tax Rates for Dallas County (notes on SB 4 / SB 23 amounts)
- Rates and Exemptions – Detail (2026 Tax Rates & Exemptions)
- 2024 Actual Tax Rates / 2025 Actual Tax Rates chart (as of 12/05/2025)
- 2026 Exemption Listing Report
- Property Tax Calendar
- Collin CAD Entity List – All Years (dataset 6jr2-fr7b behind the Collin CAD rates and exemptions table; years 2025 and 2026)
- Tax Rates and Exemptions (taxing entity exemptions and rates by year)
- Tax Relief For Homeowners A Priority For Denton County Commissioners Court (1% / $5,000 homestead exemption; $55,000 over-65, $15,000 disabled; 2019 tax limitation)
- My Tax Dollars (homestead exemption history: 20% from 2025; $150,000 over-65 from 2023)