Texas Homestead Exemption Timing Guide for 2026
In Texas, the residence homestead exemption is one of the most important “first-year” moves after you buy because it can reduce taxable value and unlock the 10% annual appraisal cap once it is established. Timing drives outcomes: most homeowners file between January 1 and April 30 for the current tax year, and waiting can delay savings and create escrow surprises. If you buy after January 1, you may still qualify for the remaining portion of that year in certain situations, so treat filing as a post-closing task. In Bexar County, you file with Bexar Central Appraisal District (BCAD), and your Texas driver’s license or state ID address generally must match the homestead address. This guide is general information, not tax advice; verify details with your appraisal district.
What this guide covers
This guide explains when to file, what documents are commonly required, and how the Bexar County process works so you can avoid missed deadlines and avoidable escrow spikes.
- Texas filing windows, late filing, and what “delinquency date” really means.
- How post-January 1 purchases can still qualify in certain cases.
- When the 10% homestead cap actually starts protecting your appraised value.
- BCAD portal steps, address-match rules, and common rejection triggers.
- What “five-year verification” notices are and how to respond fast.
Who this is for
This is for Texas homeowners and buyers who want a clean, deadline-driven plan, especially anyone buying late in the year or moving counties.
- First-time buyers who want escrow-friendly payment planning.
- Homeowners who changed primary residence and need a new exemption.
- Households qualifying for age, disability, or Veteran-related exemptions that add extra steps.
Timing snapshot you can anchor to
The filing window is predictable, but the value impact depends on when you qualify and when your lender recalculates escrow. Use these checkpoints to stay ahead of the tax cycle.
- Standard window: January 1 through April 30 for the current tax year.
- Late filing: often allowed up to two years after the tax-year delinquency date.
- Cap timing: the 10% homestead cap typically starts the tax year after your first year of qualification.
- Verification: appraisal districts must periodically review homestead eligibility at least once every five tax years.
Official resources worth checking
Start with official forms and definitions, then follow your county portal instructions to avoid delays.
- Texas Comptroller overview: exemption rules and eligibility basics (Property tax exemptions (Texas Comptroller)).
- Form 50-114: the standard residence homestead exemption application (Form 50-114 (PDF)).
- 10% cap timing: when the homestead appraisal limitation takes effect (Valuing property (Texas Comptroller)).
- Find your CAD: county directory for appraisal districts and tax offices (Local property appraisal and tax information).
- BCAD online portal: file exemptions electronically in Bexar County (BCAD Online Services Portal).
Common questions this guide answers
Can I apply right after closing?
In many cases, yes. You generally file once you own and occupy the home as your primary residence, but the standard filing window still matters, and local portal rules apply.
Do I need to reapply every year?
Usually no, unless you move, your qualifications change, or your appraisal district sends a verification notice requesting additional information.
Why does everyone warn me about my driver’s license address?
Many appraisal districts require your Texas driver’s license or state ID address to match the homestead property address, which is one of the most common reasons applications get delayed.
Key Takeaways
- File your Texas homestead exemption as soon as you own and occupy, using the January 1 to April 30 planning window as your baseline.
- If you buy after January 1, you may still qualify for a partial-year exemption in certain cases, so do not automatically wait until next year.
- Expect your Texas driver’s license or state ID address to match the homestead address, or plan for an exception workflow if eligible.
- The 10% homestead appraisal cap usually starts the tax year after your first year of qualification, so the “cap year” is often your second year.
- Bexar County homeowners file through BCAD, and the fastest path is the Online Services Portal with clean uploads and complete documentation.
- Texas appraisal districts can send five-year verification notices; respond quickly to protect your exemption status and avoid payment shocks.
Homestead exemption timing in Texas: the baseline you should follow
Texas homestead exemption timing is about getting the exemption on file early enough to impact taxable value and escrow planning without triggering preventable delays. The exemption is handled by your county appraisal district, not your lender, and the calendar window matters as much as eligibility. Use the baseline below to stay aligned with the Texas tax cycle while you confirm local portal rules in your county.
- What it does: lowers taxable value and can reduce your annual bill, depending on local taxing units and your exemption types.
- Who applies it: your county appraisal district grants the exemption; your lender only updates escrow after bills and records reflect it.
- Why timing matters: late filing can delay savings and create mid-year escrow shortages or payment adjustments.
- One-home rule: you generally cannot claim a residence homestead exemption on more than one property at the same time.
Planning note: exemption approval and escrow changes are rarely “instant,” so build a buffer if your payment is tight.
| Scenario | Best time to apply | What to expect | Pitfall to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed before January 1 | January 1 through April 30 | Full-year exemption is typically straightforward if you occupy as your primary residence | Waiting until summer, then scrambling when escrow recalculates |
| Closed after January 1 | As soon as you own and occupy, then follow county filing rules | You may qualify for a partial-year exemption in certain cases | Assuming you must wait until next year without checking your CAD rules |
| Moved counties | Re-file for your new primary residence | Your prior homestead should be removed from the old address over time | Forgetting to re-file and losing a full tax year of benefit |
| Received a verification notice | Respond immediately | District may request documents or a re-application to confirm eligibility | Ignoring the notice and risking exemption removal |
Filing windows, late filing, and refunds: the dates that matter
The standard Texas filing window is January 1 through April 30 of the tax year, but late filing rules can still save you if you missed the deadline. The key concept is the delinquency date for that tax year, because late applications are often allowed for a limited period after that date. If you paid taxes and later receive approval for an eligible prior year, a refund may be possible depending on timing and county processing.
- Standard window: plan to file between January 1 and April 30 for the current tax year whenever possible.
- Late filing: many residence homestead late applications are allowed up to two years after the delinquency date.
- Delinquency definition: delinquency is tied to the tax-year payment deadline, not your closing date.
- Refund potential: if a prior-year exemption is approved after you paid, counties may issue refunds for overpaid amounts.
| Deadline concept | What it controls | Why it matters | Practical move |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Tax-year snapshot date used in many property tax processes | Impacts which year certain limitations and calculations anchor to | Do not treat closing date as the only “start date” that matters |
| April 30 | Standard filing deadline for many homestead applications | Missing it can push savings out and complicate escrow math | Put a calendar reminder in January after closing |
| Delinquency date | Late filing window measurement point | Controls whether a late application is still eligible | If you missed April 30, check late filing eligibility immediately |
| Verification response deadline | Whether your exemption stays active | Non-response can lead to removal and tax increases | Respond the same week you receive the notice |
Bexar County process: where to file and what BCAD typically wants
In Bexar County, homestead exemptions are administered by Bexar Central Appraisal District, and the cleanest path is filing through the BCAD Online Services Portal. Your goal is simple: submit a complete application with correct ownership and occupancy documentation, plus an ID that matches the homestead address. If your situation is non-standard, the best move is to follow BCAD’s published guidance and document exceptions in writing.
- Use the portal: create an account, complete the exemption application, and upload documentation in one workflow.
- Address match: a Texas driver’s license or state ID with the homestead address is a common baseline requirement.
- Non-standard cases: some applicants, including eligible active-duty Military members, may use alternative documentation where allowed.
- Track status: keep screenshots or confirmation emails so you can prove submission if processing runs long.
Local note: avoid third-party “filing services” charging fees; filing is typically free through your county appraisal district.
Document checklist: the fastest way to prevent a denial or delay
Most homestead delays are not about eligibility, they are about documentation quality and mismatched addresses. Before you file, stage your documents like a closing packet: clean scans, legible IDs, and any supporting proof that you actually occupy the home. If you recently moved, update your Texas ID early so your filing is not bottlenecked.
- Texas ID: upload a clear copy of your Texas driver’s license or state ID showing the homestead address.
- Ownership proof: keep your closing disclosure or recorded deed available if the district requests additional proof.
- Occupancy proof: a current utility bill can support occupancy in certain exception scenarios.
- One-and-only: be ready to confirm you are not claiming a homestead exemption on another property.
| Situation | Documents to stage | What the district is confirming | Execution note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard owner-occupant | Texas driver’s license or state ID, application form, any requested supplemental proof | Identity, address match, and primary residence occupancy | Use high-resolution scans; blurry uploads are a common delay |
| Recently moved, ID not updated yet | ID update receipt if applicable, occupancy proof if requested, application form | That you actually live at the homestead address | Update the ID early to avoid an avoidable “pause” |
| Active-duty Military exception case | Military ID and additional proof per county guidance, plus application form | Eligibility and occupancy documentation under the allowed exception rules | Follow the county help-center instructions line by line |
| Verification notice received | What the notice requests, plus fresh copies of ID and occupancy proof | That you still qualify and still occupy | Respond fast; non-response can lead to exemption removal |
After approval: escrow updates, the 10% cap, and five-year verification notices
After your exemption is granted, the next practical step is confirming it appears on your appraisal record and your next notice of appraised value. The 10% homestead cap generally does not protect you until the tax year after your first year of qualification, so your “cap year” is often year two. Separate from the cap, Texas law now requires periodic homestead eligibility reviews at least once every five tax years, so watch your mail.
- Confirm in writing: check your appraisal district record for the exemption status after processing.
- Cap reality: the 10% appraisal limitation generally begins the tax year after your first year of qualification.
- Escrow lag: lenders usually adjust escrow after tax bills and records update, not on the day you submit the application.
- Five-year reviews: respond to verification requests quickly to keep the exemption active and avoid payment shocks.
Your next steps in San Antonio: keep your payment plan stable
Homestead timing is one of the easiest ways to reduce financial friction after closing, especially when escrow is tight. If you are buying in the San Antonio area, build your payment plan with taxes and insurance included, then execute the exemption filing as a tracked checklist item. If you want a clean baseline, run scenarios with your full monthly payment and buffers before you go under contract.
- Run payment scenarios: use LRG tools like the Mortgage calculator and Affordability calculator.
- Plan the calendar: set a January filing reminder and a second reminder to verify exemption status later in the year.
- Document discipline: keep a digital folder with your ID, closing docs, and submission confirmation for audit-ready proof.
- Agent coordination: work with a local team who understands BCAD workflow and can keep the timeline mission-tight.
AI can make mistakes, so double-check key steps with your county appraisal district or a qualified professional.
References Used
- Texas Comptroller: Property tax exemptions
- Texas Comptroller: Form 50-114 (Residence Homestead Exemption Application)
- Texas Comptroller: Valuing property (homestead cap timing)
- Texas Comptroller: Local property appraisal and tax information directory
- BCAD: Online Services Portal
- BCAD Help Center: Homestead Exemption how to apply
- Texas Legislature: SB 1801 enrolled bill text (five-year review requirement)
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I apply for a Texas homestead exemption after buying a home?
In many cases, you can apply once you own and occupy the home as your primary residence, following the standard county filing window. If you bought after January 1, you may still qualify for a partial-year exemption in certain situations, so confirm rules with your county appraisal district.
What is the deadline to file a homestead exemption in Texas for the current tax year?
Many counties use a standard filing window of January 1 through April 30 for the tax year you are applying for. Because local processing and documentation rules can differ, the safest plan is to file early and track your submission confirmation.
Can I file late for a homestead exemption in Texas?
Yes, late filing is often allowed for a limited period tied to the delinquency date for that tax year. If you missed the April deadline, check your county’s late-filing rules immediately, because the window can close even if you still own and occupy the home.
Do I have to reapply for a homestead exemption every year?
Usually no. Most homeowners keep the exemption as long as they continue to own and occupy the property as a primary residence. However, you may be asked to respond to periodic verification notices or to reapply if you move or your qualification changes.
Does my Texas driver’s license address have to match the homestead address?
In many counties, yes, the address on your Texas driver’s license or state ID must match the homestead property address. This is a common reason applications are delayed. If you recently moved, update your ID early and upload a clear copy with your application.
Can active-duty Military homeowners apply without a Texas driver’s license?
Some counties allow alternative documentation for eligible applicants, but rules vary by appraisal district. If you are active-duty Military and do not have a Texas driver’s license, follow your county’s published exception instructions and include all required supporting documents.
Will my mortgage payment drop immediately after my homestead exemption is approved?
Not always. Your lender typically updates escrow after tax records and bills reflect the exemption, and escrow analyses can happen on a separate schedule. The best approach is to confirm the exemption on your appraisal record and then watch for the lender’s next escrow recalculation.
When does the 10% Texas homestead appraisal cap start?
The 10% appraisal limitation generally takes effect the tax year after your first year of qualification for the residence homestead exemption. That means many homeowners experience a “gap year,” then receive the cap protection starting in the following tax year.
Where do I file my homestead exemption in Bexar County?
You file through Bexar Central Appraisal District (BCAD), not your lender and not the tax office. The most common method is BCAD’s online portal, where you can submit the application and upload your required documentation for electronic processing.
What happens if I ignore a five-year homestead verification notice?
If you do not respond, the appraisal district may remove the exemption, which can increase taxable value and trigger escrow shortages. Treat verification mail like a deadline-driven task: respond quickly, keep proof of submission, and recheck your appraisal record after processing.
