Property tax rates continue to rise in Bexar County, but you might be paying more than you have to. If you own and live in your home as your primary residence, you likely qualify for a Bexar County homestead exemption. With only the basic requirements of owning and occupying your home, this tax benefit is one of the most accessible exemptions for Bexar homeowners. Yet some residents overlook it and miss out on chances to lower their property tax bills. Read on to learn how you can file for a homestead exemption and save on your property taxes.
Types of Homestead Exemptions in Bexar County
If homeownership is straining your budget, you can take advantage of several Texas homestead exemptions to reduce your tax burden.
General Homestead Exemption
The general statewide homestead exemption is available for all homeowners who occupy and own the property as their primary residence. The Bexar County homestead exemption amount is 20% of the home value, with a minimum reduction of $5,000. For example, if your home is worth $400,000, Bexar County might reduce your home's taxable value by $80,000 (20%).
Senior Citizen Exemption
If you’re 65 or older and occupy your home as your primary residence, you qualify for the Bexar County Over 65 Exemption. This tax benefit becomes active on January 1 of the year you turn 65.
With a senior citizen exemption, you’ll receive an extra $50,000 reduction on top of the general homestead benefit on the taxable value. Assuming your home is valued at $400,000, here’s how your county taxable value would look after the senior citizen exemption.
Description | Amount |
|---|---|
Appraised home value | $400,000 |
General home exemption | $80,000 |
Over-65 exemption | $50,000 |
Taxable County Value | $270,000 |
Disabled Person Exemption
You may qualify for the disabled person exemption if you have any disability as defined by the Social Security Administration (SSA). That is:
You receive disability benefits from the SSA.
You’re unable to engage in gainful work due to a physical or mental condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
You’ll receive an additional $5,000 exemption from the county's taxable value on top of the general homestead exemption. You cannot receive exemptions for both over-65 and disabled persons. Assuming your primary residence is worth $400,000, here is how your county table value is reduced for a Disabled Person Exemption:
Description | Amount |
|---|---|
Appraised home value | $400,000 |
General home exemption | $80,000 |
Disabled person exemption | $5,000 |
Taxable County Value | $315,00 |
Veteran Exemption
Following Texas homestead exemptions, veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating are fully exempt from property taxes on their residence homestead. You may qualify for partial exemptions if you’re a veteran with less than 100%, depending on federal veteran disability ratings.
Disability Rating | Exemption Amount |
|---|---|
10%–29% | $5,000 |
30%–49% | $7,500 |
50%–69% | $10,000 |
70%–100% | $12,000 |
Eligibility Criteria for Exemption
To be eligible for the Bexar County homestead exemption, you must meet specific criteria outlined by the Bexar Appraisal District:
Exemption Type | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
General Exemption | ✔️Own the property ✔️Use the property as your principal residence ✔️Occupy the property as your primary residence on January 1 of the tax year you’re applying for ✔️Provide a copy of your Texas driver’s license or state-issued ID showing the same address as the property |
Over-65 Exemption | ✔️Meet all the general exemption requirements ✔️Be at least 65 years old by the end of the tax year |
Disability Exemption | ✔️Meet all the general exemption requirements ✔️Have a disability as defined by SSA ✔️Provide documentation from SSA confirming disability status |
Veteran Exemption | ✔️Meet all the general exemption requirements ✔️Be a veteran with a service-connected disability ✔️Have a disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs |
How to Apply for the Exemption
You can apply for an exemption in person, online, or by mail. The Bexar County homestead exemption deadline is April 30 of the tax year you’re filing for.
You’ll need the following documentation:
A Completed Application Form: Download the standard Residence Homestead Exemption Application (Form 50-114).
A Texas Driver’s License or State ID: Your ID must show the same address as the property for which you’re applying the exemption.
Proof of ownership: Provide official documentation, such as a title or deed, to confirm homeownership.
Supplemental Documents (if applicable): Submit an SSA award letter for the Disabled Person Exemption or a Veteran Affairs disability rating letter for the Veteran Exemption.
For convenience, you can file a Bexar County homestead exemption online through the BCAD online service portal. To apply online, you’ll need digital copies of all necessary documents ready for upload.
Maximizing Savings Through Exemptions
You can maximize your savings by ensuring you aren’t missing out on any exemptions. Even if you’re already taking advantage of the general homestead exemption, your status may change from an ownership transfer, residency changes, reaching age 65, or eligibility updates. It’s good practice to verify your Bexar County homestead exemption status regularly. (Learn how to check your homestead exemption status.)
Understanding Potential Savings
To help you understand your saving potential, the table below highlights how each homestead exemption in Bexar County could reduce your tax bill. It factors in the current Bexar County property rate of $0.276745 per $100 assessed value.
Exemption Type | County Exemption Amount | Taxable Reduction for $400,000 Home | Estimate Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
Bexar County General Homestead | 20% of home value (min $5,000) | $80,000 | $221.40 |
Over-65 | Additional $50,000 | $50,000 + $80,000 | $359.77 |
Disability | Additional $5,000 | $5,000 + $80,000 | $235.24 |
100% Disabled Veteran | Full exemption | $400,000 | $1,106.98 (entire tax waived) |
Reviewing Property Tax Statement
Every year, BCDA will send out property tax statements showing your assessed value, tax rate, and the exemptions applied. Cross-check this statement with your Bexar County homestead exemption status to verify every detail is accurate. If not, you can protest your property tax bills in Texas.
Saving through Annual Property Tax Protests
Your saving potential doesn’t end with exemptions. If the Bexar Appraisal District overvalues your home, you can file a protest to keep your property taxes in check:
Review your Notice of Appraised Value from the appraisal district.
If you notice discrepancies or establish that the assessed value is too high, file a protest by May 15.
Collect supporting evidence, such as recent sales of comparable homes, photos showing your property condition, or repair estimates.
Attend a hearing or work toward an informal resolution with the appraisal district.
You can learn more about property taxes in Texas to understand your full saving potential.
Contact Ownwell to Save on Property Taxes
If you’ve missed a homestead exemption, you can still apply retroactively and claim a refund for up to two prior years. At Ownwell, we’ll guide you on how to take advantage of Texas’s wide range of tax relief so you don’t have to pay more.
Even if your exemptions are in place, you might still be overpaying because of inflated property value. We can protest higher-than-necessary taxes on your behalf to reduce your bill. Discover the exemptions you qualify for today with Ownwell to maximize your savings and protect your home investment.
