If you own a home and it is your principal place of residence on January 1, you may apply for an exemption of $7,000 from your assessed value.
A homestead exemption protects home equity from a homeowner's creditors, up to a certain dollar amount. Collectors cannot acquire any funds within this amount to settle past-due debt. This applies if you file for bankruptcy or you experience financial difficulties after a divorce or your spouse passes away.
The applica�on for homestead exemp�on (see Form DR- 501) and other exemp�on forms are on property appraisers' websites and on the Department of Revenue's forms webpage. Submit your homestead applica�on to your county property appraiser. Click here for county property appraiser contact and website informa�on.
The claim form, BOE-266, Claim for Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption, is available from the county assessor. A person filing for the first time on a property may file anytime after the property or claimant becomes eligible, but no later than February 15 to receive the full exemption for that year.