Comal County, Texas • Homestead exemption guide • reviewed September 4, 2026
Comal County Homestead Exemption: 2026 Rules, Savings, Filing Steps, Deadlines and Local Contacts
The Comal County homestead exemption can reduce the taxable value of a home you own and occupy as your principal residence.
In Comal County, exemption qualification is handled by the Comal Appraisal District, not the County Tax Office.
The Tax Office handles bills, payments, tax history, installment payments, refunds and tax collection after values are certified.
The most important local detail is this: Comal County currently provides a 20% local-option homestead exemption for county taxes.
Fast answer
Comal County Homestead Exemption Quick Facts
Comal AD determines exemption eligibility and applies exemptions to appraisal records.
Comal AD lists April 30 as the due date for exemption applications.
Comal AD says there is no fee to file an exemption application.
Texas school districts must provide the state residence homestead exemption.
Comal County currently provides a 20% local-option homestead exemption.
Texas requires this county exemption when farm-to-market or flood-control taxes apply.
Texas school districts provide an additional exemption for qualifying age-65 or disabled homeowners.
The Texas appraisal limitation generally starts after the first full year of qualification.
Comal AD states exemption applications currently take about 90 days to process.
Exemption, property value, appraisal cap or protest issue → Comal Appraisal District.
Tax bill, payment, receipt, installment or refund issue → Comal County Tax Office.
Local office guide
Comal County Offices, Address, Phone, Email and Map
Comal Appraisal District
Use for: homestead filing, exemption approval, appraised value, property ID, appraisal notices, protests and homestead audits.
Address: 900 S. Seguin Ave., New Braunfels, TX 78130
Phone: 830-625-8597
San Antonio / Metro: 830-606-1407
Email: comalad@co.comal.tx.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Chief Appraiser: Jeffrey J. Booker
Taxpayer Liaison Officer: Kurt Andersen-Vie, anderk@co.comal.tx.us
Comal County Tax Office
Use for: property tax bills, payments, tax history, escrow, quarter payments and payment receipts.
Main office: 205 N. Seguin Ave., New Braunfels, TX 78130
Property tax phone: 830-221-1353
Fax: 830-626-6871
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Tax Assessor-Collector: Stuart Hansmann
Property tax mailing address: P.O. Box 659480, San Antonio, TX 78265-9480
Map: Comal Appraisal District
Use this location for in-person homestead forms, appraisal questions and protest paperwork.
Bring a property ID, photo ID, application documents and copies of any notices or letters.
Open Tax Office satellite offices and drop boxes
Sattler office: 160 Oak Drive, Sattler, TX 78133 • 830-964-5820 • Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Bulverde office: 30470 Cougar Bend, Bulverde, TX 78163 • 830-387-7621 • Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Garden Ridge drop box: 9400 Municipal Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78266 • located in the parking lot under the flags.
New Braunfels drop box: 205 N. Seguin Ave., New Braunfels, TX 78130 • one-way entrance from Bridge Street.
Official action links
Official Links and What to Do After Opening Them
Comal AD Exemptions
Use this page to understand residence homestead, over-65, disability, veteran, heir-property and tax-deferral rules.
Open Comal AD exemptionsComal AD Forms
Use this page to access Form 50-114, disabled veteran forms, cancellation requests, protest forms and tax-ceiling forms.
Open Comal AD formsComal AD Property Search
Use this portal to find the Property ID number needed on the homestead application.
Open Comal AD property searchComal County Tax Office Portal
Use this portal for property tax bills, tax history, payment status and tax estimator access.
Open Comal County tax portalComal County Tax Estimator
Use this tool to test county, city, school, water district, ESD, MUD and exemption combinations.
Open Comal tax estimatorComal AD Protest Information
Use this page if the issue is value, taxable value, exemption denial, unequal appraisal or a wrong property record.
Open protest informationQualification rules
Who Qualifies for the Comal County Residence Homestead Exemption?
Own the home: you must have a qualifying ownership interest in the property.
Live in the home: the property must be your principal residence, not a vacation home or investment property.
Claim only one homestead: you cannot claim a residence homestead on another property in Texas or outside Texas.
File after you qualify: Comal AD says applications cannot be filed before the date you qualify for the exemption.
Multiple owners: non-married co-owners generally qualify based on ownership percentage, while married couples are treated differently under community-property rules.
Trust property: if the home is owned through a qualifying trust, attach the trust pages showing the applicant’s qualifying interest.
Heir property: inherited homes can qualify, but extra affidavit, death certificate, utility bill and ownership evidence may be required.
The prior owner’s homestead cap does not become your cap. Comal AD explains that the cap generally starts in the second year after you buy and qualify.
Filing workflow
How to File a Comal County Homestead Exemption Application
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Confirm that Comal AD is the correct appraisal district.
Some properties near county lines or school-district boundaries may involve other appraisal districts.
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Find your Comal AD Property ID number.
Use the Comal AD property search and save the Property ID listed on the record.
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Download or request the homestead form.
Use Comal AD’s forms page for the homestead application that includes general, over-65, disabled and 100% disabled veteran homestead categories.
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Complete Form 50-114 carefully.
Comal AD says to list the appraisal district name as Comal and include the year or years requested.
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Select every exemption category that applies.
Check general residence homestead plus over-65, disabled, 100% disabled veteran or survivor categories when applicable.
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Attach required documents.
Most applicants need a current Texas driver license or Texas ID with the same address as the homestead.
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Submit by mail, email or drop-off.
Comal AD lists mail to 900 S. Seguin Ave., New Braunfels, TX 78130, email in PDF format to comalad@co.comal.tx.us, or in-person drop-off.
File between January 1 and April 30 when possible. Comal AD says timely filing helps the district process exemptions before fall tax statements.
Document checklist
Documents Comal AD Requires or May Request
Texas driver license or ID
The address must generally match the property address listed on the homestead application.
Both spouses’ ID
Comal AD says married applicants may need valid and current ID information for both spouses.
Marriage certificate
If spouses do not have the same last name, Comal AD asks for a copy of the marriage certificate.
Prior exemption removal
If you claimed an exemption elsewhere, list the prior property and attach removal proof if outside Comal County.
Trust documents
Attach the trust pages showing the applicant’s ownership or beneficial interest in the homestead.
Heir-property documents
Use an ownership affidavit, death certificate, utility bill and available court-record citation when required.
Manufactured home proof
Attach TDHCA statement of ownership and location plus purchase contract or payment receipt.
Disability evidence
Use SSA disability documentation or the Comal AD physician statement process when Social Security proof is not available.
Military exception proof
Active-duty military applicants may need military ID and a utility bill matching the homestead address.
Savings explained
How Much Can the Comal County Homestead Exemption Save?
Your savings depend on your appraised value, which taxing units apply, exemption amounts and adopted tax rates.
A Comal County home may be taxed by the county, lateral road or flood-control fund, school district, city, emergency-services district, MUD, WCID or other special district.
$400,000 simple illustration
School taxable value after $140,000 school homestead exemption: $260,000.
Comal County taxable value after 20% county exemption: $320,000.
County farm-to-market / flood-control taxable value may also include the required $3,000 exemption when that levy applies.
Open simple educational savings calculator
School exemption used: $140,000.00
County 20% exemption used: $80,000.00
Estimated school savings: $1,400.00
Estimated county savings: $209.05
Senior, disability and tax ceiling
Age 65+, Disabled Homeowner, Tax Ceiling, Transfer and Deferral Rules
Age 65+ exemption: you may apply as soon as you turn 65; you do not need to be 65 on January 1.
Automatic update: Comal AD says it may automatically grant the over-65 exemption if it has your birthdate on file.
School additional exemption: qualifying age-65 or disabled homeowners receive the mandatory additional school exemption.
School tax ceiling: school taxes are automatically limited when the age-65 or disability exemption applies.
Ceiling transfer: if you move, request a tax ceiling certificate from the former appraisal district and apply on the new home.
Disabled person rules: Texas uses the Social Security disability test, and non-SSA disability proof may require a physician statement.
Tax deferral: age-65 or disabled homeowners can file a deferral affidavit, but taxes are postponed, not canceled.
Interest warning: deferred taxes accrue interest and become due when ownership or occupancy ends.
Veteran benefits
Disabled Veteran, 100% Disabled Veteran and Surviving-Spouse Benefits
Texas disabled veteran benefits are separate from a standard disabled homeowner exemption.
Use the correct category because the document requirements and savings can be very different.
10% to 90% disabled veteran
The general disabled veteran exemption ranges from $5,000 to $12,000 depending on disability rating.
It may be applied to one qualifying property, not necessarily only a residence homestead.
100% disabled veteran homestead
Qualifying veterans with 100% service-connected disability compensation may receive a total homestead exemption.
Current VA documentation is required.
Surviving spouses
Some surviving spouses of disabled veterans, service members or first responders may continue or receive exemptions.
Proof of marriage, death and eligibility may be required.
Property ID and portal help
How to Search Your Comal Property Before Filing
Your homestead form may ask for the appraisal district account number or Property ID.
Comal AD’s property search supports owner, address, Property ID, geographic ID and advanced search fields.
Search by owner: enter last name first, such as Smith John, or try only the first or last name if results fail.
Search by address: enter street number and street name only; Comal AD says not to use prefix, suffix or unit numbers.
Search by Property ID: use the ID shown on prior appraisal records or notices.
Search by tax account: the Tax Office portal says account numbers require dashes, such as 126-0586-00010.
Save the record: keep the Property ID, situs address, owner name, exemptions and taxing units before filing.
Legal description warning: Comal AD states legal descriptions and acreage are for appraisal use and should be verified before legal use.
Deadline and late filing
Comal County Homestead Deadlines, Late Filing and Prior-Year Claims
Comal AD says residential homestead applications should be filed in this window.
Comal AD says you can file up to two years after taxes would have become delinquent.
Comal AD lists a five-year late filing period for the disabled veteran exemption.
If you already paid taxes and a prior-year exemption is approved, Comal AD says you may receive a refund and a corrected lower tax statement.
The Tax Office handles the bill and refund side after the appraisal district approves and certifies the exemption change.
Value dispute
What If the Comal Appraised Value or Exemption Decision Looks Wrong?
A homestead application and a protest are different actions.
Use the homestead application for exemption qualification. Use a protest for value, unequal appraisal, taxable value or denial issues.
File a protest when value is wrong
Comal AD says the protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the notice is mailed, whichever is later.
Online protest filing gives immediate confirmation when the owner qualifies for electronic filing.
Use the evidence portal carefully
The online protest account can allow comments, evidence uploads, appraisal-district evidence review and settlement response.
If you do not have the owner ID or PIN, email Comal AD with the Property ID and proof of identity.
Bring comparable sales, closing statement, photos, repair estimates, builder defects, survey issues, appraisal reports, property-record corrections and proof of unequal appraisal when relevant.
Tax bill side
Tax Bill, Payment, Quarter Payment and Escrow Notes
Taxes due: property taxes are due on receipt, and penalties and interest begin February 1 if unpaid.
Postmark matters: mailed payments in late January should be postmarked by January 31.
Quarter payments: age-65, disabled, disabled veteran and certain disaster-damaged homesteads may qualify for four installments.
Installment dates: January 31, March 31, May 31 and July 31.
Prepayment / escrow: the Tax Office accepts 2026 property-tax prepayments and escrow agreements.
Phone payment: Comal County lists 866-549-1010 with bureau code 4815691 for full credit-card phone payments.
Local tax entities
Why Comal County Homestead Savings Vary by Address
Comal AD appraises property for many taxing units. Your property’s exact savings depend on the taxing units attached to your parcel.
Nearby homes can have different school districts, city limits, water districts, MUDs or emergency-services districts.
Audit and renewal
Do You Have to Reapply Every Year?
Comal AD says you do not need to reapply every year unless the chief appraiser requests a new application in writing or you move to a new residence.
Texas appraisal districts must audit homestead exemptions once every five years.
Comal AD’s 2025 audit policy says it uses TrueRoll monitoring and reviews identified properties at least once a month.
If Comal AD believes a property no longer qualifies, it will first contact the owner informally before removal at the end of the current year.
Avoid delays
Common Comal County Homestead Mistakes
Using the Tax Office for exemption approval: the Tax Office does not decide homestead qualification.
Submitting without matching ID: Comal AD says the Texas license or ID address must generally match the homestead address.
Missing April 30: timely filing helps the exemption appear before fall tax bills.
Forgetting prior homestead removal: attach proof if you had an exemption outside Comal County.
Assuming the seller’s cap transfers: the homestead cap usually does not protect the new buyer until the second year.
Ignoring special districts: city, school, MUD, WCID and ESD tax lines can use different taxable values.
Confusing disabled homeowner with disabled veteran: these are separate exemption categories with different proof.
Not saving proof: email in PDF, certified mail, timestamped screenshots or in-person receipt can help if status is questioned.
Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
You just bought a home: search the Property ID, update your Texas ID address, then file with Comal AD.
You missed April 30: ask Comal AD about late filing and whether your tax year can still be corrected.
Your tax bill does not show the exemption: contact Comal AD first, then the Tax Office if a corrected bill or refund is needed.
Your appraised value increased too much: review the Notice of Appraised Value and protest deadline.
You turned 65: contact Comal AD if the over-65 exemption was not added automatically.
You are moving within Texas: request a tax ceiling certificate if you have an over-65 or disability tax ceiling.
You inherited the home: prepare heir-property documents before filing.
Important notice
Independent Information, Tax Caution and Property-Records Notice
This page is independent informational content for homeowners.
It is not the official website of Comal Appraisal District, Comal County, the Comal County Tax Office, the Texas Comptroller or any government agency.
It is not legal advice, tax advice, an official tax bill, an appraisal notice, a protest decision or an exemption approval.
Exemption amounts, tax rates, forms, deadlines, office hours, processing times and portal instructions can change.
Verify current information directly with Comal AD, the Comal County Tax Office, the Texas Comptroller or a qualified professional before acting.
Property records should be used only for property-tax, appraisal, ownership-reference and public-record purposes. Do not use property-record information for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any FCRA-regulated purpose.
FAQs
Comal County Homestead Exemption FAQs
Who handles the Comal County homestead exemption?
Comal Appraisal District handles homestead exemption applications, approval, denial, property value and appraisal-cap questions.
What is the Comal County homestead exemption deadline?
Comal AD lists April 30 as the due date for exemption applications. File between January 1 and April 30 whenever possible.
How much is the school homestead exemption in Comal County?
Texas school districts must provide a $140,000 residence homestead exemption for qualifying homeowners.
Does Comal County offer a local homestead exemption?
Yes. Comal County currently provides a 20% local-option homestead exemption for qualifying homeowners.
Is there a fee to file the Comal County homestead exemption?
No. Comal AD states there is no fee to file an exemption, and you do not need to hire anyone to file it.
How long does Comal AD take to process a homestead application?
Comal AD states that applications currently take about 90 days to process and approve.
Can I file a Comal homestead exemption late?
Comal AD states that general homestead, age-65, disabled and surviving-spouse claims may be filed up to two years after the delinquency date. Disabled veteran claims may have a five-year late filing period.
What document is most likely to delay approval?
The most common issue is the Texas driver license or Texas ID. Comal AD says the address must generally match the homestead address unless an exception applies.
Does the seller’s homestead cap transfer to the buyer?
No. Comal AD explains that the homestead cap generally starts in the second year after the buyer purchases and qualifies for the homestead exemption.
Can I protest my value even if I file homestead?
Yes. Homestead filing and appraisal protest are separate. Comal AD lists the protest deadline as May 15 or 30 days after the notice is mailed, whichever is later.
Official resources