For Immediate Release
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A publication from Texas Comptroller Susan Combs’ office can help property
owners get the property tax breaks they deserve.
The publication addresses property tax exemptions offered by various types of taxing units — counties, cities, school districts and special districts such as municipal utility, community college and hospital districts — and explains how to qualify and apply for each exemption. Applications for tax exemptions must be submitted to the appraisal district office in the county where the property is located.
For example, all homeowners who owned and lived in their homes on Jan. 1 may file for a $15,000 general exemption from their home’s value for school taxes. In addition, certain disabled homeowners and those aged 65 or older may qualify for an additional $10,000 school tax exemption. A tax freeze, or ceiling, on school taxes is another benefit for homeowners once they turn 65 or become disabled.
Property tax exemptions are available to disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.
Productivity appraisal is a type of tax relief available to owners of agricultural or timberland. Those properties are appraised based on what they will produce, rather than on their market value.
The publication gives key dates in the annual property tax cycle, so property owners know what they must do and when they are required to act to exercise their rights.