A general residence homestead exempts a portion of your residence homestead's value from taxation, potentially lowering your taxes.
In order to qualify for a homestead exemption, the applicant's name must appear on the deed to the property and they must own, occupy and claim the property as their legal residence on January 1 to be eligible for any exemption for that tax year.
The general residence homestead exemption is a $100,000 school tax exemption. This means that your school taxes are calculated as if your home is worth $100,000 less than its appraised value. For example, if your home is appraised at $300,000, you will only be taxed on $200,000. Local Residence Homestead Exemptions.
The exemptions apply only to property that you own and occupy as your principal place of residence. File this form and all supporting documentation with the appraisal district office in each county in which the property is located generally between Jan. 1 and April 30 of the year for which the exemption is requested.
Persons with a residence homestead are entitled to a 20% exemption of the market valuation of their home.