Are You Missing Property Tax Exemptions?

Travis County homeowners leave thousands of dollars on the table every year by not claiming all the property tax exemptions they qualify for. The homestead exemption alone saves the average homeowner $980 per year.

What Are Property Tax Exemptions?

Property tax exemptions reduce the taxable value of your home, which directly lowers your tax bill. Unlike protesting your assessment (which challenges whether your home is overvalued), exemptions are fixed reductions you qualify for based on who you are and how you use your property.

Exemptions vs. Protests

Exemptions are guaranteed savings based on eligibility. Protests challenge whether TCAD valued your home correctly. They work together — you should do both.

Apply Once, Save Every Year

Most exemptions only need to be filed once and stay active until you sell or move. Unlike protests, you don't need to reapply each year.

Check Your Exemptions

Answer a few quick questions to see which exemptions you may qualify for and how much you could save.

Free Exemption Screening

Answer 5 quick questions to find out which property tax exemptions you may qualify for. Takes about 30 seconds.

Travis County Exemptions Explained

Here are the most common property tax exemptions available to Austin homeowners through TCAD.

General Homestead Exemption

~$980/yr

If this is your primary residence, you qualify for a $100,000 reduction in your home's taxable value for school district taxes. Travis County also offers a 20% exemption (minimum $5,000) off your county taxes. This is the single most valuable exemption for most homeowners.

Who qualifies: Any homeowner who owns and occupies the property as their primary residence on January 1st.

Bonus: The homestead exemption also caps your assessed value increase to 10% per year, protecting you from large spikes.

Over-65 Exemption

~$650/yr + tax freeze

An additional $10,000 off your school district taxable value, on top of the homestead exemption. More importantly, it permanently freezes your school district taxes at the amount you paid the year you turned 65.

Who qualifies: Homeowners aged 65 or older with a homestead exemption. A surviving spouse aged 55+ can retain the exemption.

Key benefit: The tax ceiling means your school taxes will never increase, even if your property value rises. This becomes more valuable every year.

Disabled Person Exemption

~$650/yr + tax freeze

Provides the same benefits as the Over-65 exemption: an additional $10,000 off for school taxes and a permanent tax ceiling. You cannot claim both Over-65 and Disabled — choose whichever is more beneficial.

Who qualifies: Homeowners who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) and have a homestead exemption.

Disabled Veteran Exemption

$110–$5,000+/yr

Veterans with a VA disability rating of 10% or higher receive a partial exemption. Veterans rated 100% disabled or individually unemployable are fully exempt from all property taxes on their homestead.

Exemption amounts: 10-29% = $5,000 off; 30-49% = $7,500 off; 50-69% = $10,000 off; 70-100% = $12,000 off. 100% disabled = fully exempt.

Solar/Wind Energy Exemption

~$300/yr

If you've installed solar panels or a wind turbine, the added value from those devices is fully exempt from property taxes. Your assessment won't increase because of your renewable energy investment.

Who qualifies: Any property owner with solar panels, wind turbines, or other renewable energy devices installed on the property.

Exemptions Lower Your Taxable Value. Protests Lower It Further.

Even with exemptions, TCAD may still be over-assessing your home. Check your property to see if you could save more by protesting.

Check My Property Assessment