PSA: Apply for your homestead exemption before April 30th to get it applied for this year’s tax bill

If you are a new homeower and haven't yet applied for your homestead exemption, do it before April 30th.

To be eligible for homestead exemption, you need to be living on the property for which you are claiming exemption for ie., it's you primary residence.

Documents required: Your updated driving license or a state issued ID, showing your homestead address.

How to apply: 1. Fill up and submit the form online on HCAD website: https://hcad.seamlessdocs.com/f/Form11_13 2. Download their mobile app and submit: https://hcad.org/hcad-online-services/homestead/ 3. Hard copy format: https://comptroller.texas.gov/forms/50-114.pdf. Print, fillup and take it to HCAD along with a copy of your driving license.

HCAD has a video as well on how to fill up the form: https://hcad.org/videos/how-to-fill-out-the-online-exemption-application-form

Here is a guide to filling up homestead exemption form.

How to check status: On HCAD property search page, search for your property by address, owner name or account number. On your property details page, you should see "Residential Homestead" under "Exemptions" section.

Retrospective homestead exemption: If you bought in 2022 or 2021 or earlier and haven't yet applied, you can still apply and claim homestead exemption retrospectively for the past 2 years.

Homestead exemption form has a question: "Are you filing a late application?". Answer "yes", if you are and mention the years you want to claim exemptions for.

If your exemption is approved, you will get refund checks.