Travis County Property Tax Exemptions Guide

Property tax season is coming up in Travis County.

Your property tax bill could be lower than you think — if you know what to ask for.

A property tax exemption reduces the taxable value of your home, which in turn lowers what you owe. The basic homestead exemption gets most of the attention, but Travis Central Appraisal District lists a range of additional breaks for veterans, some surviving spouses, homeowners with solar equipment, qualifying child care properties and certain disaster-damaged homes.

The savings vary depending on which taxing units apply to your address, which is why two neighbors can both claim exemptions and still see different numbers on their bills. Here's a general guide to those exemptions before the bill comes:

What types of property tax exemptions are there in Texas?

Homestead exemption: This is the one most homeowners start with. TCAD says it is generally available if you own and live in the property as your residence homestead. Texas school districts must provide a $140,000 homestead exemption, and some local taxing units layer on additional exemptions of their own.

Over-65 exemption: TCAD says homeowners 65 and older can qualify in the year they turn 65, which can come with a school tax ceiling, often described as a tax freeze. The district also says some surviving spouses may be able to keep those benefits if they continue to own and live in the home and meet the age requirements.

Disabled persons exemption: TCAD says homeowners who meet the Social Security Administration’s standards for disability may qualify for this exemption, which, like the over-65 break, can come with a school tax ceiling. The district says applicants should submit disability documentation, such as a current Social Security disability determination, and some surviving spouses may be able to keep the exemption and tax ceiling if they continue to own and live in the home and meet the age requirements.

Veteran and surviving-spouse exemptions: TCAD lists several veteran-related breaks, including a full residence-homestead exemption for some 100% disabled veterans and partial exemptions for other disabled veterans based on service-connected disability ratings. The district also lists exemptions for donated residences of partially disabled veterans and for certain surviving spouses of veterans, armed service members and first responders.

Solar and wind-powered energy device exemption: Property owners may be able to exempt the value added by qualifying solar or wind devices used primarily to provide energy on-site. TCAD says the owner must own both the property and the system on Jan. 1, and leased systems do not qualify for the exemption.

Property tax bills for people with homestead exemptions won't reflect the big increase in market values because the taxable value of an existing home with a homestead exemption can't go up more than 10% per year under state law.

Temporary disaster-related exemption: This is for properties damaged in a state-declared disaster. TCAD says the damage generally must total at least 15% of the property’s improvement value, not counting landscaping or trees, and the exemption lasts until the property is reappraised. Because these are tied to specific events, the filing deadlines can differ depending on the disaster.

Residence homestead destroyed by fire: TCAD says that as of Jan. 1, 2026, a homeowner whose residence homestead was completely destroyed by fire may be eligible for a separate exemption tied to the portion of the year remaining after the fire. The home must have been habitable immediately before the fire and remain uninhabitable for at least 30 days afterward.

Child care property exemption: This is narrower and will not apply to most homeowners, but it is still part of the local exemption picture. TCAD says certain child care properties may qualify if they participate in the Texas Rising Star program and meet subsidized-enrollment thresholds. Properties already claiming a residence homestead exemption, properties leased as a primary residence and business personal property accounts do not qualify.

What you need before you apply

For a standard residence homestead application, TCAD says the key document is a Texas driver’s license or Texas-issued ID that matches the property address. The district says a passport or handgun license will not work for that requirement.

If you are filing for an over-65 exemption, you need proof of age. If you are filing for a disabled-person exemption, TCAD says you should include documentation of disability, such as a current Social Security disability determination. Veteran-related exemptions also require supporting records from the Department of Veterans Affairs or other qualifying documentation, depending on the exemption.

TCAD says solar applicants should include documents showing the installation date and system output in kilowatts. Child care properties need separate forms and supporting records, including Texas Rising Star documentation and, in some rental situations, a landlord certification form.

Disaster-related applications and the fire-destruction exemption also have their own forms and supporting proof.

How to file in Travis County

TCAD says most property tax exemption applications can be submitted online, by mail or at its office.

For homestead applications, the district directs property owners to its online portal, mailing address and office at 850 East Anderson Lane in Austin. Its FAQ also says paper homestead applications can be sent by email, by mail to PO Box 149012, Austin, TX 78714-9012, or by office drop box.

TCAD says completed homestead exemption applications are due April 30 each year, and the solar exemption uses that same April 30 deadline.

Disaster-related exemptions run on event-specific deadlines instead, and the district’s current disaster page lists separate 2026 deadlines for recent storm, wildfire-risk and freeze-related claims. For a residence homestead destroyed by fire, TCAD says the application must be filed no later than the 180th day after the fire.

If you recently bought a home, TCAD says you can submit an application once you own and occupy it, and in limited cases, a homestead exemption can begin as early as the move-in date if the prior owner did not already claim one for that tax year. If you missed the normal homestead deadline, the district says a late homestead application can still be filed up to two years after the taxes become delinquent.

Property owners can also bring up any exemptions or disputes during the protest process surrounding property appraisals.

How long does it take, and do you have to reapply every year?

TCAD says action on a homestead application will occur within 90 days. The district also says portal applicants get an email notification when the application is processed, and homestead status usually appears online within about four to six weeks after submission.

For most homestead-related exemptions, TCAD says you do not have to reapply every year unless the chief appraiser asks for a new application in writing, you move, or your eligibility changes. The district says state law requires periodic audits of exemption records, so some homeowners may still be asked to verify that they still qualify. The child care exemption also does not require annual reapplication unless ownership or qualifications change, while disaster-related exemptions are temporary by nature and tied to the specific event.