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The Travis County Tax Office realizes the importance of
helping citizens save taxes. In an effort to help you understand the
tax breaks available, the tax office has provided explanations, forms
and links. The following should provide the information you need to
effectively determine your eligibility for any benefit.
Should you have any questions please contact the Travis County Tax Office. Find out more about
the property tax system in Texas by accessing Property
Taxpayer Remedies a publication provided by teh State Comptroller.
IMPORTANT NEW VETERANS EXEMPTION INFORMATION:
CLICK HERE for Helpful
Fact Sheet.
CLICK HERE for Questions and
Answers.
CLICK HERE for Exemption Application
from Travis Central Appraisal District.
Homestead Exemption
As a homeowner, you may apply for a homestead exemption on
your principal residence. Homestead exemptions remove part of your
home's value from taxation, so they lower your taxes. For example, if
your home is appraised at $35,000, and you qualify for a $15,000
exemption, you will pay taxes on the home as if it was worth only
$20,000.
What Homes Qualify
Not all homes qualify for a homestead exemption. Only the homeowner's
principal residence qualifies. The home's owner must be an individual
(for example: not a corporation or other business entity) and use the
home as his or her principal residence on January 1st of the tax year.
A homestead can be a separate structure,
condominium or a mobile home located on owned or leased land, as long
as the individual living in the home owns it. A homestead can include
up to 20 acres, if the land is used as a yard or for another purpose
related to the residential use of the homestead.
Temporary Moves
If you temporarily move away from your home, you may continue to receive
the exemption if you do not establish a principal residence elsewhere,
you intend to return to the home and you are away less than two years.
You may continue to receive the exemption if you do not occupy the residence
for more than two years only if you are in military service or live in
a facility providing services related to health, infirmity or aging from
the two-year period.
Homestead School Tax Ceiling
The homestead tax ceiling is a limit on the amount of school taxes you
must pay on your residence. If you qualify your home for a 65
and Over or Disabled Person Homestead Exemption, the school taxes
on that home can't increase as long as you own and occupy that home. The
tax ceiling freezes your school taxes at the amount you pay in the year
that you qualify for the 65 and Over or Disabled Person Homestead Exemption.
The school taxes on your home may go below the ceiling
but not above the amount of the ceiling. If you improve the home (other
than normal repairs or maintenance), the tax ceiling may go higher for
the new additions. For example, if you add on a garage or game room to
the house, the tax ceiling will be adjusted to a higher level for the
value of the addition.
If a 65 and older, disabled, or 55 and older surviving
spouse homeowner moves to another home they can transfer the percentage
of the tax ceiling to a different home in the same or another school district.
The ceiling on the new home would be calculated to give the same percentage
of tax paid as the ceiling on the original home.
To transfer the school tax ceiling, you will need to
contact the appraisal district office of your previous and current county
to request the necessary certificate and processing of your request between
offices. You can contact the Travis Central Appraisal District at (512)
834-9138.
There are several types of homestead exemptions you
receive.
School Taxes: All residence homestead owners may receive
a $15,000 homestead exemption from their home's value for school taxes.
County Taxes: Travis County has granted an optional
20% homestead exemption for all homeowners (this is the maximum allowed
by law). For those aged 65 or disabled, Travis County has granted an optional
$65,000 exemption.
To view all taxing units and exemptions in Travis County,
click here.
Who Qualifies for a Disabled Person's Exemption?
To qualify, you must meet the Social Security definition for
disabled. You qualify if you receive disability benefits under the
federal Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Program
administered by the Social Security Administration. For further
information, contact the Travis Central Appraisal District at (512)
834-9138.
You must file an Application for Residential Homestead Exemption with the Travis
Central Appraisal District between January 1st and April 30th of the
tax year - up to one year after you pay your taxes. You may also read
over the Guide for Homestead
Exemption Application to help in completing the application. The form
covers the most common exemptions, including over 65 and disabled exemption.
You may apply for the 65 or older or disabled exemption
during any part of the year you turn 65 or become disabled. Once you receive
the exemption, you do not need to reapply unless the chief appraiser sends
you a new application. If you should move or your qualifications end,
you must inform the appraisal district in writing before the next May
1st.
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