How to file a Homestead Exemption for Your Home in Harris County
prepared and presented by O'Connor & Associates
Harris County Appraisal District processes homestead exemption forms for Harris County homeowners. Property taxes are a significant expense for homeowners. However, obtaining a homestead exemption often reduces property taxes for a homestead by 20%. Those benefiting from an over-65 homestead exemption can receive an even larger reduction in property taxes.
If you own a home and do not have a homestead exemption, it is well worth your time to complete the form and mail it to Harris County Appraisal District. If you are not certain whether you have a homestead exemption, you can check Harris County Appraisal District's web site at www.hcad.org or call them at 713-957-7800.
You qualify for a homestead exemption if you owned the home on January 1st and it was your primary residence during the current year. A residence homestead can include up to 20 acres of land and the residence can be a mobile home or house. The residence could also be all (or relevant portion) of a commercial property, such as an office building, warehouse or retail building, which has been adapted for human residence. The home can be owned by a person or qualifying trust.
You can file an "over 65" exemption with Harris County Appraisal District the year you become 65. The surviving spouse retains the benefit of the over-65 exemption if the spouse is 55 or older when the deceased spouse died and the home was the primary residence.
Harris County Appraisal District welcomes valid homestead exemption applications. There is not cost to obtain a homestead exemption form or to file it with the appraisal district. Homeowners who qualify should complete an exemption form and send it to the Harris County Appraisal District.
Application for Residential Homestead Exemption (Note: You can send your homestead exemption for both the current year and prior year.)
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