Homestead and ag-use exemptions can lower your tax bill

If your home is your main residence, you can apply for a homestead exemption. Texas school districts must cut your taxable value by $140,000. Once you have the exemption, your appraised value cannot go up more than 10 percent in a single year. You apply at the Sutton County Appraisal District in Sonora.

If you use land for livestock, crops, or other farm and ranch uses, you may qualify for ag-use appraisal. The official name is 1-d-1 open-space agricultural appraisal. Instead of taxing your land at its market value, the county taxes it on what it can produce. On a big ranch, this can save a lot of money. Contact the appraisal district to get the application and find out the current deadlines.