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File a Travis County homestead exemption

The homestead exemption cuts Travis County property taxes and filing is free. April 30 deadline, 2-year late window, bigger breaks at 65 or disability.

Short answer

If you own and live in your Travis County home, the residence homestead exemption lowers your taxable value every year, and filing with the Travis Central Appraisal District is free. The deadline is April 30 of the tax year, but late applications are accepted for up to two years with proration. Turning 65 or qualifying for disability adds a school tax ceiling that freezes what the school district can collect; disabled veterans get $5,000 to $12,000 off assessed value depending on VA rating, and a surviving spouse 55 or older can keep the exemptions. The over-65 ceiling can transfer when you move within Texas. Never pay a third party to file: TCAD takes the application free.

Who this is for

Travis County homeowners who live in the home they own, especially anyone who has never filed, recently bought, turned 65, or has a disability or VA rating.

The steps, in order

  1. Confirm you own and live in the home as your principal residence.
  2. File the residence homestead application with TCAD for free, online or by mail. Ignore paid-filer pitches.
  3. Watch the calendar: April 30 is the deadline, but late applications work for up to two years with proration.
  4. 65 or older, or disabled? File the over-65 or disability exemption too: it adds a school tax ceiling that freezes school taxes at that level.
  5. Disabled veterans: the exemption runs $5,000 to $12,000 off assessed value by VA rating.
  6. Moving within Texas? The over-65 or disability ceiling can transfer to the new home.

Have this ready

  • Proof you own and occupy the home (driver license matching the address)
  • The property's TCAD account or address
  • VA rating letter if claiming a disabled veteran exemption
  • Five minutes; the application is free

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Paying a company to file. TCAD accepts the application free.
  • Assuming a missed April 30 means waiting a year. Late filing works for up to two years with proration.
  • Forgetting the over-65 or disability add-ons. They stack with homestead and add the school tax ceiling.
  • Skipping the surviving-spouse rule. A surviving spouse 55 or older can keep the exemptions.

Common questions

What does the homestead exemption save in Travis County?

It lowers your taxable value with every taxing unit that offers it, every year you qualify. Over-65 and disability exemptions add a school tax ceiling, and disabled veterans get $5,000 to $12,000 off assessed value depending on VA rating.

What is the homestead exemption deadline?

April 30 of the tax year. Missed it? Late applications are accepted for up to two years, with the savings prorated.

Does it cost anything to file?

No. Filing with the Travis Central Appraisal District is free. Anyone charging to file a homestead exemption is selling something you can do yourself.

Official source

Checked August 26, 2026. Recheck the official page monthly and when the official page changes.

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ATX Untangled is independent and does not determine eligibility or provide legal advice.