Three jobs. Different offices.
Appraisal district
Values property and handles exemption applications. HCAD covers Harris County, not every Houston-area property.
Taxing units
School districts, cities and other local taxing units adopt their own tax rates.
Tax collector
Issues bills and collects payments for the taxing units it serves. Check every taxing unit on your statement.
Official source: Harris County property tax FAQs ↗
Start with the property account.
Find your account by address or owner name. Check the ownership, mailing address, property description and exemption entries. Save a copy of the record and your latest appraisal notice.
A Houston postal address alone does not identify the appraisal district. If the property is outside Harris County, use the district for the county where the property is located.
Official source: HCAD property records ↗
Check what you qualify for.
The general residence homestead exemption is for an individual who owns an interest in the property and uses it as their principal residence. You cannot claim another residence homestead exemption elsewhere.
This reduces the value subject to school-district tax. It is not a $140,000 tax refund, and it does not automatically apply to every line on the bill. Other local exemptions differ by taxing unit.
Age 65 or older, disability and qualifying veteran circumstances may create additional exemptions. Check each category rather than assuming the general homestead application covers everything.
Official source: Texas property tax exemptions ↗
Send the application to the appraisal district.
Use the official residence homestead application and its document instructions. Submit it to the appraisal district where the home is located, not to the Comptroller. Read the identification requirements and any exceptions that apply to you.
April 30 is the usual application deadline. Late-filing and midyear qualification provisions can apply, so ask the district about your situation if you have missed that date or recently moved.
Official source: Residence homestead application, Form 50-114 ↗
Official source: Property tax deadlines ↗
Check the statement, even with escrow.
- Match the bill to your property account.
- Check that approved exemptions appear correctly.
- Identify which taxing units are included and whether separate bills exist.
- If your mortgage company pays, confirm payment was made.
- Save application confirmations, statements and receipts.
An exemption application or an appraisal protest does not by itself pause all payment obligations. Check the tax collector’s instructions if an application, correction or dispute is still pending.
Official source: Harris County statements and receipts ↗