How does the Texas homestead exemption lower my property tax?
Short answer
If a home is your primary residence, you can claim a residence homestead exemption from the county appraisal district. Texas school districts must exempt $140,000 of a homestead's value, plus $60,000 more if you are 65 or older or disabled, and local governments may add more. A separate cap limits how fast a homestead's appraised value can rise: 10% a year.
Sources last reviewed September 19, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
The state exemptions
The Texas Comptroller states that Tax Code section 11.13(b) requires school districts to provide a $140,000 exemption on a residence homestead, and section 11.13(c) requires an additional $60,000 for homeowners who are 65 or older or disabled.
An exemption reduces the value on which school district taxes are calculated. It is not a $140,000 reduction in your tax bill. These amounts were checked on the review date above and can change with legislation and voter approval.
Local exemptions
Any taxing unit may adopt a local-option residence homestead exemption of up to 20 percent of a property's appraised value, which cannot be less than $5,000. Whether your city, county or other district offers one is set locally.
The 10% appraisal cap
Separately, Tax Code section 23.23 limits the annual increase in a residence homestead's appraised value to 10 percent of the prior year's appraised value. The cap applies to the appraised value, not directly to the tax bill, and it starts on January 1 of the tax year after the owner first qualifies for the homestead exemption.
The limitation expires on January 1 of the first tax year that neither the owner nor the owner's spouse qualifies for an exemption. In practice that means a new owner does not inherit the previous owner's cap. If you are buying, estimate taxes from the price you are paying, not only from the seller's current bill.
How to apply in Lubbock County
Applications for exemptions are filed with the appraisal district in the county where the property is located, using Form 50-114. The general deadline is before May 1.
In Lubbock County that is the Lubbock Central Appraisal District, which lets owners file online by finding their property in its property search, or by calling (806) 762-5000. The district warns that there is never a fee to file for any exemption, so do not respond to companies offering to file for a one-time processing fee.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is the Texas school district homestead exemption?
- According to the Texas Comptroller, $140,000, with an additional $60,000 for homeowners who are 65 or older or disabled.
- When is the deadline to apply for a homestead exemption?
- The general deadline for filing an exemption application is before May 1, filed with the appraisal district in the county where the property is located.
- Does it cost anything to file a homestead exemption?
- No. The Lubbock Central Appraisal District states there is never a fee to file for any exemption.
- Does the 10% cap follow me to a new home?
- No. The cap limits increases in the appraised value of a homestead while the owner qualifies, and it expires when neither the owner nor the owner's spouse qualifies. A new owner does not inherit it.
Sources
- Texas Comptroller: Property tax exemptionsThe $140,000 and $60,000 school district exemptions, local-option exemptions up to 20 percent (minimum $5,000), where to apply, Form 50-114, and the before-May-1 deadline.
- Texas Tax Code, Section 23.23 (Texas Legislature Online)The 10 percent limit on annual appraised-value increases for a residence homestead and when it starts and expires.
- Lubbock Central Appraisal DistrictThe district name, online filing, phone number, and the no-fee warning.
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