Do Veterans Pay Property Taxes in Texas?
It depends on the disability rating. Texas disabled veterans with a 100% VA disability rating (or a determination of individual unemployability) pay zero property taxes on their residence homestead — a complete exemption. Veterans with partial disability ratings receive smaller exemptions based on their rating percentage.
All other veterans — those without a VA disability rating — pay property taxes like any other Texas homeowner, though they still qualify for the standard homestead exemption if the property is their primary residence.
Here's the full breakdown of every disability and veteran exemption available to Texas homeowners.
Disabled Veteran Exemptions by VA Rating
Disabled veterans receive property tax exemptions based on their VA disability percentage. These exemptions are in addition to the standard homestead exemption and any disabled person exemption:
| VA Disability Rating | Exemption Amount |
|---|---|
| 10% to 29% | $5,000 off assessed value |
| 30% to 49% | $7,500 off assessed value |
| 50% to 69% | $10,000 off assessed value |
| 70% to 99% | $12,000 off assessed value |
| 100% (or unemployability) | 100% — total exemption (zero taxes) |
100% Disabled Veteran Exemption
Under Texas Tax Code Section 11.131, veterans with a 100% disability rating or a determination of individual unemployability from the VA are entitled to a total exemption from property taxes on their residence homestead. This means:
- You owe $0 in property taxes to every taxing entity (school, county, city, special districts)
- The exemption applies to your primary residence and the land it sits on (up to 20 acres)
- It takes effect the year you receive the 100% rating
Partial Disability Exemptions
Veterans with ratings below 100% receive a flat dollar exemption. Unlike the 100% exemption, the partial exemption can be applied to any one property you own — it doesn't have to be your homestead.
Example: A veteran with a 70% VA rating and a home appraised at $350,000 would receive:
- Standard homestead exemption: $140,000 (school taxes)
- Disabled veteran exemption: $12,000 (all taxing entities)
- Result: Taxable value of $198,000 for school taxes, $338,000 for other entities
Surviving Spouse and Dependent Child
The 100% disabled veteran exemption transfers to the surviving spouse as long as:
- The spouse has not remarried
- The property was the veteran's homestead at the time of death
- The spouse continues to use it as their primary residence
A surviving spouse who remarries loses the exemption on December 31 of the year they remarry.
For veterans with partial disability ratings, the surviving spouse or dependent child (under 18 and unmarried) can continue receiving the partial exemption under the same conditions.
If a surviving spouse of a 100% disabled veteran sells the home and purchases a new one in Texas, they can transfer the exemption to the new property — receiving a dollar-amount exemption equal to what the full exemption was worth on the previous home.
Disabled Person Exemption (Non-Veteran)
Homeowners who qualify as disabled through the Social Security Administration (receiving Federal Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance benefits) are entitled to additional property tax exemptions beyond the standard homestead.
Exemption Amounts
| Exemption | Amount | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Standard homestead | $140,000 | All homeowners (school district taxes) |
| Additional disabled person | $60,000 | School district taxes |
| Total school exemption | $200,000 | Disabled homeowners |
| Optional local exemptions | Varies | Cities, counties, special districts may offer additional amounts |
The disabled person exemption provides the same benefits as the over-65 exemption: $200,000 in combined school district exemptions plus a school tax freeze. You cannot receive both — if you qualify for both, you receive whichever was established first (since the earlier freeze typically locks in at a lower amount).
School Tax Freeze for Disabled Homeowners
Once the disabled person exemption takes effect, your school district taxes are frozen at the dollar amount you owe that year. The freeze works the same as the senior tax freeze:
- The ceiling can go down if your value decreases or the school tax rate drops
- It can never go up above the original amount
- Home improvements (not repairs) can increase the ceiling
- If you move, you can transfer the freeze as a percentage to a new homestead in Texas
Surviving Spouse
If a disabled homeowner passes away, the surviving spouse can continue receiving the disabled person exemption and school tax freeze if:
- The surviving spouse is age 55 or older at the time of the homeowner's death
- They continue to live in the home as their primary residence
How to Apply for Disabled and Veteran Exemptions
Step 1: Download the Application
File Form 50-114 (Application for Residence Homestead Exemption) from your county appraisal district's website or the Texas Comptroller's website.
For the 100% disabled veteran exemption, you'll also need Form 50-135 (Application for Disabled Veteran's or Survivor's Exemption).
Step 2: Gather Documentation
- Disabled person exemption: Proof of Social Security disability determination
- Disabled veteran exemption: VA disability rating letter showing your percentage
- Both: Texas driver's license or ID with your property address
Step 3: Submit to Your County Appraisal District
File by mail, in person, or online (many counties accept electronic applications). The standard deadline is April 30 for the current tax year.
You can apply up to two years retroactively — if you qualified two years ago and didn't file, you can submit now and receive a refund for the overpaid taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all veterans get a property tax exemption in Texas? No. Only veterans with a VA disability rating receive a property tax exemption. Veterans without a disability rating pay property taxes like any other homeowner, though they qualify for the standard homestead exemption on their primary residence.
Can a disabled veteran's spouse keep the exemption after the veteran dies? Yes, if the surviving spouse has not remarried and continues to use the property as their primary residence. The 100% exemption transfers in full. If the spouse sells and buys a new home in Texas, they can transfer a dollar-amount exemption to the new property.
What's the difference between the disabled person and disabled veteran exemption? The disabled person exemption is for homeowners receiving Social Security disability benefits — it provides $200,000 in school tax exemptions and a school tax freeze. The disabled veteran exemption is for veterans with a VA disability rating — it provides $5,000 to a total exemption depending on the rating percentage. If you qualify for both, you can receive both.
Can I protest my property taxes if I have a disability exemption? Yes, and you should. Exemptions reduce your taxable value, but a protest reduces your appraised value — which lowers taxes from every entity. Even with a school tax freeze, city and county taxes can still increase. Protesting keeps those in check.
Who is exempt from paying property taxes in Texas? Only a few groups receive a total exemption: veterans with a 100% VA disability rating (on their homestead), certain surviving spouses of 100% disabled veterans, and properties owned by qualifying charitable, religious, or government organizations. All other homeowners pay property taxes but can reduce them through exemptions and protests.
Lower Your Property Taxes
Even with exemptions in place, your city, county, and special district taxes can still increase year over year. Filing a property tax protest lowers your appraised value across every taxing entity — not just the ones offering exemptions.
Ballard Property Tax Protest handles the entire process for Texas homeowners. We only charge a fee if we successfully reduce your taxes — no upfront cost, no risk.