Collin County, Texas • Homestead exemption guide • 2026 update
Texas Collin County TX Homestead Exemption: 2026 Rules, Savings, Filing Steps, Deadlines and Local Offices
The homestead exemption Texas Collin County homeowners usually need is the Texas residence homestead exemption.
File it with the Collin Central Appraisal District, also called Collin CAD or CCAD.
The Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector handles tax bills and payments, but it does not decide whether your homestead exemption is approved.
For 2026, Texas law provides a $140,000 school district general residence homestead exemption.
Homeowners who are age 65 or older or disabled may also qualify for an additional $60,000 school district exemption and tax-ceiling protection.
Fast answer
Collin County Homestead Exemption Quick Facts
Use CCAD for homestead applications, exemption status, value notices and protest filing.
Use this office for property tax bills, payments, receipts, refunds and delinquent taxes.
CCAD says general exemption applications should be filed during this period.
This is the 2026 Texas general residence homestead exemption for school taxes.
This is in addition to the general school homestead exemption.
The latest county tax-rate summary lists this local county homestead exemption.
The latest county tax-rate summary lists this local over-65 county exemption.
The latest county tax-rate summary lists this local disabled-person county exemption.
Exemption or value problem → Collin CAD. Tax bill or payment problem → Collin County Tax Office.
Local offices
Collin County Offices, Addresses, Phone Numbers and Map
Collin Central Appraisal District
Best for: homestead filing, exemption status, property values, appraisal notices, ARB protests and taxpayer portal help.
Chief Appraiser: Marty Wright
Taxpayer Liaison Officer: Christopher Nickell
Address: 250 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75069
Phone: 469-742-9200
Toll-free: 866-467-1110
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Open Collin CADCollin County Tax Assessor-Collector
Best for: tax statements, payments, balances, receipts, refunds, delinquent taxes and tax certificates.
Tax Assessor-Collector: Scott Grigg
Address: 2300 Bloomdale Road, McKinney, TX 75071
Phone: 972-547-5020
Email: taxassessor@collincountytx.gov
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Open Tax Assessor-CollectorCollin Appraisal Review Board
Best for: disputes between taxpayers and the appraisal district.
The ARB hears protests involving value, exemption denials and certain appraisal-district actions.
ARB decisions are generally binding only for the tax year being protested.
Open Collin ARBCollin County Clerk — Land Records
Best for: deeds, plats, liens, real-property records and ownership-document issues.
County Clerk: Stacey Kemp
Address: 2300 Bloomdale Road, Suite 2106, McKinney, TX 75071
Phone: 972-548-4185
Open Land RecordingsMap: Collin Central Appraisal District
250 Eldorado Pkwy
McKinney, TX 75069
CCAD says the office is on Eldorado Parkway about 1.5 miles east of Highway 75.
It is at the northeast corner of Eldorado Parkway and College Street.
Open Collin County Commissioners contact context
County Judge: Chris Hill
Precinct 1: Susan Fletcher
Precinct 2: Cheryl Williams
Precinct 3: Darrell Hale
Precinct 4: Duncan Webb
Commissioners set county policy and tax-rate decisions, but they do not approve individual homestead applications.
Open Commissioners CourtContent gaps fixed
Details Many Collin County Homestead Guides Miss
The filing office matters: homestead is approved by Collin CAD, not by the county tax collector.
The school exemption is large: Texas school districts must apply the $140,000 general residence homestead exemption for 2026.
Over-65 and disabled owners get more: the additional school exemption is $60,000 for qualifying age 65+ or disabled homeowners.
Local exemptions vary by taxing unit: Collin County, cities, ISDs, college district, ESDs and MUDs can have different exemptions and tax ceilings.
The 10% homestead cap is not a tax freeze: it limits certain appraised-value increases after the homestead is established.
The tax ceiling is different from the cap: age 65+ or disabled homeowners can receive school tax-ceiling protection.
Paid mailers are unnecessary: Collin CAD says there is no fee to file an exemption with the appraisal district.
Heir property can qualify: inherited-home owners may qualify for full homestead benefits when the correct affidavit and documents are filed.
Temporary absence rules exist: a homeowner may keep homestead during some temporary absences if no other principal residence is established.
Tax rates are per $100 in Texas: do not calculate Collin County taxes using a per-$1,000 millage formula.
Qualification
Who Qualifies for a Collin County Residence Homestead Exemption?
You must have a qualifying ownership interest in the Collin County property.
The property must be your main home, not a rental, second home or investment property.
You cannot claim a residence homestead exemption on another property in or outside Texas.
What can count as a homestead?
A Texas residence homestead can include the house and up to 20 acres used for residential purposes if ownership matches.
Mobile homes and manufactured homes can qualify when they meet Texas residence-homestead rules.
What documents should you prepare?
Texas driver license or Texas ID: the address should generally match the homestead address unless a legal exception applies.
Property account number: get it from Collin CAD Property Search before filing.
Date of occupancy: know when you began using the home as your principal residence.
Prior homestead details: if you had another Texas homestead, be ready to remove it.
Out-of-state benefit details: the application asks about similar exemptions, credits or deductions elsewhere.
Trust documents: prepare trust pages showing the applicant’s qualifying beneficial interest if the home is in a trust.
Heir property affidavit: use this when the applicant inherited the home but is not clearly shown as deeded owner.
Veteran or disability proof: prepare VA or Social Security disability documentation for special categories.
Filing workflow
How to Apply for Homestead Exemption in Texas Collin County
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Search your Collin CAD property record.
Confirm the account number, property address, owner name, legal description and taxing units.
Open Collin CAD Property SearchAfter opening: search by owner, property address or account number. Save the account number before starting the exemption application. -
Open the CCAD online homestead application.
Use Collin CAD’s official online form portal when your filing can be completed electronically.
Open Online Homestead ApplicationAfter opening: complete the owner, property, occupancy and exemption sections. Upload required ID and supporting documents before submitting. -
Use the current CCAD / Comptroller form if filing by paper.
Texas Form 50-114 is the statewide residence homestead exemption form.
Open CCAD Residential Exemption FormsAfter opening: choose the residence homestead application or the special form that matches your situation, such as heirship, disabled veteran or tax-ceiling transfer. -
Answer other-exemption questions carefully.
The application asks whether you or your spouse claims another residence exemption in Texas or another state.
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Add special benefits only if they apply.
Age 65+, disabled person, disabled veteran, surviving spouse and heir property benefits require extra review.
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Submit and save proof.
Keep the confirmation, signed form, uploaded documents, mailing receipt or email proof.
Collin CAD says there is never a fee to apply for an exemption with the appraisal district.
Deadlines
Collin County Homestead Exemption Deadlines for 2026
For a normal annual filing, the home should be your principal residence for the tax year.
CCAD says general exemption applications should be filed during this period.
CCAD says age 65+ or disabled applicants have two years from qualification to apply for that first qualifying year.
Texas law allows many late residence homestead filings up to two years after the delinquency date.
If you missed April 30, do not assume the exemption is impossible.
File as soon as possible and ask CCAD whether late homestead rules apply to your tax year.
For a 2026 tax bill that becomes delinquent on February 1, 2027, the practical late-filing window may extend into early 2029.
Delayed filing can delay corrected tax bills, mortgage escrow changes, tax-ceiling setup, refunds and exemption confirmation.
Savings math
How Much Can the Collin County Homestead Exemption Save?
Texas property tax rates are usually shown per $100 of taxable value.
Savings depend on the exemption amount, the tax rate and which taxing unit gives the exemption.
Simple 2026 school-tax example
A $140,000 school homestead exemption saves about $1,400 at a $1.00 school tax rate.
An age 65+ or disabled homeowner can add a $60,000 school exemption.
At a $1.00 school tax rate, that added $60,000 can save about another $600.
Collin County local example
The latest Collin County tax-rate summary lists a local homestead exemption of 5% with a $5,000 minimum.
On a $500,000 county taxable value example, 5% equals a $25,000 county exemption.
At a 0.149343 county rate, that exemption saves about $37.34 on the county portion only.
Open simple Collin County savings calculator
School exemption used: $140,000.00
County homestead estimate: $25,000.00
School savings estimate: $1,400.00
County savings estimate: $37.34
Total estimate: $1,437.34
Cap and ceiling
Homestead Cap, Tax Ceiling and Circuit Breaker Differences
10% homestead cap
CCAD explains that a residence homestead is protected from future appraisal value increases above 10% per year, plus new improvements.
The cap generally becomes meaningful after the homestead has been in place for the required period.
School tax ceiling
Age 65+ or disabled homeowners may qualify for a school tax ceiling.
This is often called a freeze, but it is not the same as the 10% appraised-value cap.
Collin County optional freeze
The latest Collin County tax-rate summary lists an optional freeze for Collin County for age 65+ or disabled homeowners.
Always verify the current taxing-unit exemption table before relying on a local ceiling estimate.
Circuit breaker limitation
The 20% circuit breaker limitation is for certain non-homestead real property during 2024, 2025 and 2026.
It is not the same as a residence homestead exemption.
A prior owner’s capped value or tax ceiling may not predict your tax bill after purchase. Ownership changes can reset appraisal and exemption treatment.
Special exemptions
Over-65, Disabled Person, Disabled Veteran, Surviving Spouse and Heir Property Benefits
Age 65 or older exemption
This can be added to the general homestead exemption when the homeowner qualifies.
CCAD says you have two years from the date you qualify to apply for the first qualifying year.
Disabled person exemption
This is different from the disabled veteran exemption.
CCAD says qualification is tied to disability under the federal Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Act standard.
Disabled veteran exemption
Texas provides partial disabled veteran exemptions based on VA disability rating.
A 100% disabled veteran may qualify for a full residence homestead exemption when Texas requirements are met.
Surviving spouse benefits
Texas provides special homestead protections for some surviving spouses.
These categories require specific eligibility and proof.
Over-55 surviving spouse
CCAD lists an exemption category for an over-55 surviving spouse of a person who received an over-65 exemption.
Review the form carefully before filing.
Heir property homestead
If you inherited the home and live there as your principal residence, you may be able to receive full Texas homestead benefits.
Use the heir property affidavit with the residence homestead application.
Texas Residence Homestead Application
Use Form 50-114 for statewide residence homestead exemption filing requirements.
Open Form 50-114Heir Property Affidavit
Use this if you inherited the home and are not clearly shown as owner in recorded deed records.
Open Form 50-114-ATexas Property Tax Exemptions
Use this for statewide residence, over-65, disability, veteran and heir-property rules.
Open Texas Comptroller ExemptionsDisabled veteran FAQ
Use this for disabled veteran and surviving-spouse exemption rules.
Open Disabled Veteran FAQRecord decoder
How to Check Your Collin CAD Record After Filing
Account number: use this when calling CCAD, filing online or checking taxes.
Owner name: confirm that ownership matches your deed or closing documents.
Situs address: confirm the property location is correct.
Mailing address: update it if notices are going to the wrong place.
Market value: CCAD’s estimate of the property’s market value.
Appraised value: value after applicable appraisal limitations, such as the homestead cap.
Taxable value: value after exemptions for each taxing unit.
Taxing units: check county, city, ISD, college, MUD, ESD or special districts.
Exemption codes: look for homestead, over-65, disabled, veteran or surviving-spouse benefits.
Collin CAD Taxpayer Portal
Use the portal for property details, electronic communication, homestead filings and protests.
Open Taxpayer PortalCollin CAD Property Search
Use this for values, ownership, exemptions, taxing units and property details.
Open Property SearchCollin County tax account lookup
Use this for tax statements, balances and property tax payments.
Open Tax Account LookupCollin County official records
Use this when deed or ownership records may explain a homestead problem.
Open Official Records SearchAppeal route
What If Your Collin County Value or Exemption Is Wrong?
A homestead application and a value protest are different actions.
Use the homestead process if your exemption is missing. Use the protest process if your value, exemption denial or appraisal issue must be reviewed by the ARB.
CCAD announced 2026 real-property appraisal notices were mailed on April 15.
Texas guidance uses May 15 or 30 days after notice delivery, whichever is later.
The ARB resolves disputes between taxpayers and the appraisal district.
Texas protest guidance
Use this to understand deadlines, ARB hearings and property owner rights.
Open Comptroller Protest GuideCollin ARB
Use this for ARB procedures, hearings, forms, calendar and contact information.
Open Collin ARBCCAD taxpayer liaison officer
Use this for complaints or access issues that are not protestable value issues.
Open Taxpayer Liaison OfficerProperty tax transparency database
Use this to compare proposed taxes and local taxing unit information.
Open Collin Tax TransparencyLocal tax mix
Collin County Cities, ISDs, MUDs and Taxing Units Can Change the Final Savings
A Collin County home can be taxed by several local units.
Your city, ISD, college district, MUD, ESD or utility district can change both tax rate and exemption treatment.
Nearby homes can sit in different school, city, MUD, ESD or college taxing units.
After approval
Tax Bills, Payment Deadlines, Refunds and Deferrals
Tax bills: issued and collected by the Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector for units it serves.
Payment deadline: Texas property taxes are generally due by January 31 to avoid February delinquency.
Delinquency: unpaid taxes generally become delinquent on February 1 and may accrue penalty and interest.
Refunds: if a late exemption is approved after taxes were paid, the appraisal district notifies the collector.
Over-65 / disabled deferral: eligible owners may be able to postpone tax collection, but this is not a forgiveness program.
Deferral caution: taxes, interest and liens can still matter for heirs, lenders, sale or estate issues.
Avoid delays
Common Collin County Homestead Mistakes
Filing with the wrong office: homestead applications go to CCAD, not the Tax Assessor-Collector.
Missing the ID address rule: the Texas ID or driver license address usually must match the homestead address.
Ignoring another exemption: remove prior homestead claims before filing in Collin County.
Forgetting over-65 or disabled updates: apply when the qualifying event happens.
Confusing disabled person and disabled veteran: these are different exemption categories.
Using market value for final tax: taxable value after exemptions is what tax units use.
Assuming the tax ceiling freezes every unit: verify each city, county, ISD or college district separately.
Waiting after a denial: exemption denial and appraisal protest deadlines are time-sensitive.
Trusting paid mailers: CCAD exemption filing is free.
Using records for screening: property records should not be used for FCRA-regulated decisions.
Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
Search the property, update your Texas ID address and file the homestead application with CCAD.
File as soon as possible and ask CCAD whether late residence homestead filing applies.
Apply for the over-65 exemption. CCAD says you have two years from qualification for the first qualifying year.
Review the disabled person exemption, then file with proof that matches the required definition.
Compare your VA documentation with the correct Texas disabled veteran exemption category.
Use the residence homestead application and heir property affidavit if you qualify.
Check the taxpayer portal and property record, then call CCAD with your confirmation.
Use the protest deadline on the notice and prepare evidence for CCAD or the ARB.
Important notice
Independent Information, Tax Caution and Property-Records Notice
This page is independent informational content for Collin County homeowners.
It is not the official website of Collin Central Appraisal District, Collin County, the Tax Assessor-Collector, the County Clerk, the ARB or the Texas Comptroller.
It is not legal advice, tax advice, an official tax bill, an appraisal notice, an exemption approval or an ARB decision.
Verify deadlines, forms, exemption amounts, local tax rates, office hours and filing procedures directly with the responsible government office.
Property records should be used only for property-tax, appraisal, ownership-reference and public-record purposes.
Do not use property-record information for employment, tenant screening, credit, insurance or any FCRA-regulated purpose.
FAQs
Texas Collin County Homestead Exemption FAQs
Where do I file a Collin County homestead exemption?
File with Collin Central Appraisal District. Use the CCAD online homestead form, taxpayer portal or current residence homestead application.
What is the Collin County homestead exemption deadline?
CCAD says general exemption applications should be filed between January 1 and April 30. Late residence homestead filing may be available for certain years under Texas law.
How much is the Texas school homestead exemption in 2026?
For 2026, Texas law provides a $140,000 general residence homestead exemption for school district taxes.
How much is the over-65 or disabled school exemption in 2026?
Qualifying homeowners who are age 65 or older or disabled may receive an additional $60,000 school district residence homestead exemption.
Does Collin County offer a local homestead exemption?
The latest Collin County tax-rate summary lists a 5% county homestead exemption with a $5,000 minimum, plus local over-65 and disabled amounts. Verify the current tax year on the CCAD taxing entity exemptions and rates page.
Is Collin County homestead exemption filing free?
Yes. Collin CAD says there is never a fee to apply for an exemption with the appraisal district.
What is the Collin County homestead cap?
The residence homestead cap protects a qualifying homestead from future appraisal value increases above 10% per year, plus the value of new improvements.
Is the homestead cap the same as an over-65 tax ceiling?
No. The 10% homestead cap limits certain appraised-value increases. An over-65 or disabled tax ceiling limits certain tax amounts, usually starting with school taxes and any local units that adopted a ceiling.
Can I keep my homestead if I temporarily move away?
CCAD says temporary absence may be allowed if you do not establish another principal residence and meet the time or exception rules for military service or health-related facilities.
Who handles property tax payments in Collin County?
The Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector handles tax bills, tax payments, receipts, refunds and delinquent tax matters.
How do I protest a Collin County value or exemption denial?
Use the CCAD protest process and Collin ARB procedures. The usual Texas protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal notice is delivered, whichever is later.
Can an inherited home qualify for homestead in Collin County?
Yes, an heir property owner may qualify if the inherited home is the owner’s principal residence and the required residence homestead application and heir property affidavit are filed.
Official resources