Guide
Every Texas homeowner who lives in their home should file this. Most save $800–$2,000+ per year. Here's exactly how.
Bexar County Homestead Exemption
If you close on a home in Bexar, Comal, or Kendall County and it's your primary residence, you can file a homestead exemption. It caps your assessed value growth and reduces the taxable portion of your home's value — often saving $800 to $2,000+ per year depending on the appraisal district and city.
Two things happen when you file:
I walk every buyer client through this at closing and again the following January. If you already own and never filed, it's not too late — text me the address and I'll tell you exactly what to send.
Frequently Asked
The questions I answer every week — clear, direct, and specific to Central Texas.
The Texas homestead exemption is a property tax reduction available to homeowners who use a property as their primary residence. Once filed, it caps the assessed value increase at 10% per year (regardless of market value change) and reduces the taxable value of your home. For Bexar County homeowners, it typically saves $800 to $2,000+ per year depending on your school district and city.
Bexar County homeowners typically save between $800 and $2,000+ annually with the homestead exemption. The exact amount depends on your school district (which alone provides a $100,000 value exemption statewide as of 2023), city, and any other overlapping taxing entities. The compounding 10% cap on assessed value growth often produces larger long-term savings than the initial base exemption.
The general deadline to file a Texas homestead exemption is April 30 of the tax year. However, Texas law allows you to file up to two years late and still receive the exemption retroactively. Filing sooner is always better — the appraisal district can also protest late-filed applications more aggressively.
Yes — Texas law requires the address on your Texas driver's license to match the property you're claiming as your homestead. Applications with mismatched addresses are routinely rejected. Update your driver's license first, then file Form 50-114 with the Bexar Appraisal District.
No. Only your primary residence qualifies. Claiming homestead on a rental or second home is fraud and can result in back taxes, penalties, and interest. If you convert a rental to your primary residence, you must have owned and occupied it as of January 1 of the tax year to qualify.
Texas homeowners over age 65, disabled homeowners, and disabled veterans can stack additional exemptions on top of the standard homestead. The over-65 exemption also provides a permanent school-tax freeze — one of the most valuable long-term benefits in Texas property tax law. 100% disabled veterans may qualify for a full exemption on their homestead.
No — this is a common misconception. Title companies handle closing paperwork but do not file your homestead exemption. It is your responsibility as the homeowner to file Form 50-114 with the appropriate county appraisal district (BCAD for Bexar, ComalAD for Comal, KendallAD for Kendall).
Download Form 50-114 from BCAD.org, attach a copy of your Texas driver's license showing the property address, and submit online, by mail, or in person to the Bexar Appraisal District. There is no filing fee. Comal County residents file with the Comal Appraisal District, and Kendall County residents file with the Kendall Central Appraisal District.
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