CONGRATULATIONS
ON YOUR NEW HOME
This website provides Travis County property owners with important information on the property tax system and homestead exemptions.
If you have any questions about this information, please contact the Travis Central Appraisal District Customer Service department at 512-834-9317.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS
If you own and occupy your home, you may be eligible for a homestead exemption that will help you save money on your property taxes. A homestead exemption reduces the taxable valuable of your property. After you have owned and resided in your home for at least one calendar year (starting January 1), a homestead exemption will limit the increase of your property’s assessed value to 10% or to the current market value, whichever is less.
Filing your application online is free, fast, and easy! Your application must include a copy of your driver’s license with your address matching your property’s address.
There are several different types of homestead exemptions available, including:
- General Residence Homestead Exemption
- Age 65 or Older
- Disabled Person
- 100% Disabled Veteran
- Disabled Veteran
- Surviving Spouse of an Armed Service Member or First Responder Killed in the Line of Duty
Starting January 1, 2022, state law allows some property owners to claim a pro-rated general residence homestead exemption on a property that becomes their principal residence at any point in the year. Previously, property owners could only claim this exemption if they owned and lived in the home as of January 1. Learn more about pro-rated homestead exemptions and see if you qualify.
If you will be applying for a homestead exemption,
don’t forget to update your driver’s license.
THE PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM
The Texas local property tax is a local tax that is assessed locally, collected locally, and used locally. It is the largest single funding source for community services and helps pay for your public schools, city streets, county roads, police departments, fire protection, and many other vital programs. Several types of local governments may tax your property, including the county, city, and school district.
Three types of entities have a distinct role in the creation of your property tax bill:
Every spring, property owners whose market value has increased by at least $1,000 over the last year will receive a Notice of Appraised Value. This notice contains three important values calculated by the appraisal district:
Market value: This is the value based on what your property would sell for as of January 1.
Net appraised value: This is the reduced value of your property based on limitations provided by having a homestead exemption.
Taxable value: This is the net appraised value minus any exemption amounts. It is the value used to calculate your property taxes for each taxing unit.
If you do not receive a Notice, you can view your property’s values on the TCAD website. If you believe the market value of your property is incorrect, you have the right to protest that value.
An increase in your property’s market value does not mean that your property tax bill will increase. Your property’s taxable value will determine your portion of the tax levy. The total amount of money that needs to be brought in by property taxes is determined by the budgets adopted by your taxing entities. Those budgets are set in August and September every year. TravisTaxes.com can help you understand the impact these decisions will have on your property tax bill.
An increase in your property’s market value does not mean that your property tax bill will increase. TravisTaxes.com can help you review how taxing entity budgets impact your property tax bill.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
New property owners often have many questions for the appraisal district during their first year of ownership. Below are some of the most common questions and answers for property owners. Additional information can always be found online at traviscad.org.
Each Texas county is served by an appraisal district that determines the value of all of the county’s real and personal property. Generally, a local government that collects property taxes, such as a county, city and school district, is a member of the appraisal district.
You do not have to reapply for a homestead exemption unless the Chief Appraiser requests a new application in writing, you move to a new residence, or your qualifications for an exemption change.
State law requires an appraisal district to audit our exemption records every five years. If the District needs more information to confirm you benefits should continue, you may be asked to reapply.
To qualify for a homestead exemption, you must own and occupy the property on which you are applying. If you recently purchased a home, you may submit the form now and the homestead will be applied to the year in which you qualify.
There is no fee to file and you do not have to hire anyone to file for you. It is not necessary for homeowners to pay anyone to file for a homestead exemption or to obtain a refund for the late filing of a homestead or senior citizen exemption.
No. Per the Texas Property Tax Code, the district cannot accept a passport or Concealed Handgun License (CHL) for this purpose. A Texas Drivers License or a DPS ID displaying the property address are the only acceptable forms of identification that the appraisal district can use.
If you apply through our homestead portal, you will receive an email notification upon processing.
Homestead status is displayed on our website. Please check our website to verify the homestead has been added to your account at the appraisal district, usually 4-6 weeks after your submission.
Taxes are due when you receive your tax statement around October 1st. You have until January 31st of the following year to pay your taxes at the Tax Collector’s Office.
No. You may only receive a homestead exemption on one property, your primary residence.
The Travis Central Appraisal District does not distribute property tax bills or accept property tax payments. If you have any questions or concerns about these issues, please contact the Travis County Tax Office.
IMPORTANT LINKS & DATES
PROPERTY TAX CALENDAR
January 1
Property values are set. Appraisal districts are required to appraise property at 100% market value as of January 1.
Mid-April
Notices of Appraised Value are sent out. This notice will contain the appraisal district’s determination of your property’s market value, assessed value, and taxable value.
May 15
If you disagree with your property’s market value, you have the right to file a protest with the appraisal district.
July 25
The appraisal roll is certified.
August/September
Taxing entities will determine their budgets and tax rates. Property owners can see how rates will affect their property tax bills at travistaxes.com.
October
The Travis County Tax Office will begin to mail out property tax bills.
November
Voter approval elections are held.
January 31
Property tax bill payments are due.