Travis County Homestead Exemptions Guide
Travis County property taxes can take a significant bite out of homeowners’ annual budgets. However, you can reduce your yearly property tax bills by ensuring you receive your eligible homestead exemptions.
The Texas homestead exemption helps homeowners reduce the burdens of paying for their primary residence. In Travis County, if you own and occupy your house on the first of the year, you may qualify for tax relief from the homestead exemptions.
What is a Texas Property Tax Homestead Exemption?
A homestead exemption reduces the amount you owe in local property taxes on the home you own and live in. The exemption reduces the amount of your home’s value against which local property taxes are assessed.
For example, if your home is appraised at $400,000, the $140,000 school homestead exemption means your school district only taxes $260,000 of value. A $140,000 exemption saves homeowners $1,400 a year for every $1.00 per $100 of school tax rate.
The Texas Tax Code requires every local school district to provide a general homestead exemption of $140,000 (raised from $100,000 by Proposition 13 in November 2025, effective for the 2025 tax year). Other taxing units, like county and city governments, may optionally provide their own exemptions. These optional exemptions must be between a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of 20% of the home’s assessed value.
Update (2025): Voters approved Proposition 13 (SB 4) and Proposition 11 in November 2025. The school homestead exemption rose from $100,000 to $140,000, and the over-65 and disabled add-on rose from $10,000 to $60,000. Both apply starting with the 2025 tax year.
Other Types of Homestead Exemptions
Senior citizens in Travis County 65 or older receive an additional $60,000 residence homestead exemption for their local school district taxes, for a total school exemption of $200,000. Non-school district taxing units can also optionally offer a senior homestead exemption of no less than $3,000.
Additionally, your school district taxes are capped once you qualify for the over-65 homestead exemption. Your school taxes on the home won't rise above the amount for the first year you qualified, unless you add improvements such as an addition. When the state raises school exemptions, the ceiling is lowered to match.
Texas taxing units offer additional homestead exemptions, such as for disabled citizens or disabled veterans and their survivors. To ensure you know which other exemptions you may qualify for, speak to a knowledgeable advisor like the team at Ballard Property Tax Protest.
Do I Qualify for a Homestead Exemption?
To qualify for a Travis County general homestead exemption, you must own the home and live in it as your primary residence. If you buy during the year, you can qualify for that same year as long as the previous owner didn't receive the exemption for that year. The home must be your primary residence, and you are not allowed to claim a homestead exemption on another property (whether in Texas or elsewhere).
Qualifying for a senior citizen’s homestead exemption is similar. Like the general exemption, you must live in and own the home on January 1, and it must be your primary residence. However, you do not have to wait until January following your birthday to receive the exemption. You can apply for the senior citizen exemption and freeze once your 65 birthday has passed.
How Do I Apply for a Homestead Exemption in Travis County?
The Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) is responsible for verifying exemptions and applying them to taxing units throughout the county. You do not automatically receive a general homestead exemption. Instead, you must apply for any qualified exemptions.
To apply for an exemption with TCAD, you can visit the office or mail a form. However, the TCAD website offers a convenient application portal as well as more information about exemptions within the county.
Once you have applied for and received a qualified homestead exemption, generally, you do not need to reapply. However, if you move, you will need to reapply, as exemptions don't travel with homeowners. Additionally, if your exemption qualifications change or TCAD's Chief Appraiser requests a new written application, you will need to reapply.
Are there Other Ways to Lower My Texas Property Taxes?
Just because you're receiving your homestead exemption doesn't mean there are no opportunities to further lower your taxes. In Travis County, a property tax protest can not only save you money this year, but it can also lock in savings that benefit you in the future.
However, protesting property taxes in Travis County can be complicated. You need to meet deadlines, gather evidence, and present your case before an Appraisal Review Board (ARB). Luckily, Texas law allows qualified professionals to represent you every step of the way.
The team at Ballard Property Tax Protest will ensure you receive all the homestead exemptions you qualify for and assist you in challenging your home's taxable value. Visit our Travis County page for more details, or sign up for Ballard's risk-free services through our website and let our professionals help you navigate lowering your Texas property taxes.
