Texas Harris County TX Homestead Exemption Form & Filing

Correct form: HCAD Form 11.13, Residence Homestead Exemption Application.

Best filing window: January 1 through April 30 for regular homestead processing.

Online filing: HCAD provides an online form and a mobile exemption filing route.

Required ID: Texas driver license or Texas ID usually must match the homestead address.

2026 school exemption: $140,000 for qualifying residence homesteads.

Over-65 or disabled: additional $60,000 school exemption and school tax ceiling may apply.

County exemption: Harris County currently provides a 20% optional homestead exemption.

Tax bill office: Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector handles bills and payments after HCAD certifies records.

HCAD Form 11.13: use for general residential homestead, over-65, disability, over-55 surviving spouse and 100% disabled veteran homestead categories.

HCAD mobile filing: currently works for general homestead and over-65 exemption filing.

Texas Form 50-114: state residence homestead form published by the Texas Comptroller.

Form 50-114-A: use for certain heir-property and affidavit situations.

Form 50-135: use for general disabled veteran or survivor exemptions that are not the 100% disabled veteran homestead route.

Form 25.25(b)RP: use when HCAD name, mailing address or real-property account information needs correction.

HCAD account number: get it from HCAD property search.

Texas driver license or Texas ID: usually required and should show the homestead address.

Occupancy date: the form asks when you began occupying the home as your principal residence.

Purchase date: useful for new owners and prorated homestead situations.

Deed or closing statement: useful if ownership has not updated in HCAD records.

Spouse and prior residence details: needed to confirm there is no duplicate homestead claim.

Heir-property proof: may include affidavit, death certificate, utility bill and ownership evidence.

Disability proof: Social Security disability proof or other accepted documentation may be needed.

Veteran proof: VA award letter or official military disability documentation may be required.

Surviving spouse proof: death certificate and benefit-specific documents may be required.

January 1: HCAD says regular residential homestead applications should be filed beginning January 1.

April 30: file or postmark by April 30 to help HCAD process the exemption before fall tax statements.

Late general homestead: HCAD says a general exemption can still be filed up to two years after taxes became delinquent for that year.

Over-65 or disabled: the deadline for the year of qualification is generally one year from the date the homeowner qualifies.

Protest deadline: many value protests are due May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal notice is delivered, whichever is later.

Tax payment deadline: Harris County property taxes are normally due by January 31 before delinquency begins.

Over-65 homeowners: may receive an additional $60,000 school exemption and a school tax ceiling.

Disabled homeowners: may receive the additional $60,000 school exemption and a similar school tax ceiling.

One school category: a homeowner generally cannot receive both over-65 and disabled exemptions from the same school taxing unit.

Local over-65 or disabled exemptions: cities, county and other taxing units may offer additional local amounts.

100% disabled veteran homestead: qualifying veterans may receive a full residence homestead exemption.

Disabled veteran partial exemptions: different percentage-rating exemptions may apply under state law.

Surviving spouse: surviving spouse benefits depend on the deceased owner’s exemption type and continued residence rules.

Heir property: inherited homes may qualify, but extra affidavit and ownership documents can be required.

It is not a market-value cap: HCAD may still show a higher market value.

It is not a tax-bill cap: tax rates and special districts can still change the bill.

New improvements matter: added value from new improvements can be included.

New buyer warning: the seller’s cap does not automatically protect the buyer’s first-year value.

Look for two values: compare market value and appraised value on the HCAD record.

If the exemption is missing: contact HCAD first with your filing proof.

If the tax bill amount is unclear: contact the Harris County Tax Office.

If your lender escrow is wrong: send the corrected statement or exemption proof to your lender.

If taxes are unpaid after January 31: penalty, interest and collection rules may apply.

If you need a receipt: use the Tax Office payment portal or receipt search.

Denied exemption: contact HCAD and ask what proof is missing before the protest deadline passes.

Name or address wrong: use HCAD Form 25.25(b)RP and attach deed, closing, will, heirship or court documents.

Value too high: file a protest with HCAD, not the Tax Office.

ARB procedures: HCAD’s Taxpayer Liaison can explain policies and ARB procedures, but cannot decide your protest.

Evidence to prepare: photos, repair estimates, comparable sales, appraisal, flood damage, condition notes and closing statement.

Using the Tax Office instead of HCAD: tax bills are not the same as exemption approval.

Wrong ID address: update your Texas driver license or Texas ID before filing if possible.

Ignoring the account number: search HCAD first and use the correct property account.

Assuming the seller’s exemption transfers: file in your own name after buying.

Missing over-65 timing: apply when you turn 65 and ask about the school tax ceiling.

Ignoring heir-property paperwork: inherited homes may require more proof than a standard purchase.

Waiting until tax bills arrive: filing earlier gives HCAD more time to process before fall statements.

If you just bought: search HCAD, confirm ownership, update Texas ID address and file Form 11.13.

If ownership is not updated: file a correction request or contact HCAD with deed or closing proof.

If you are over 65: file the over-65 section and ask about local optional exemptions and tax ceiling transfer.

If you are disabled: gather Social Security or accepted disability proof before filing.

If you are a disabled veteran: confirm whether Form 11.13 or Form 50-135 fits your benefit.

If the tax bill already arrived: contact HCAD for exemption correction and the Tax Office for bill or payment handling.