A Homestead Exemption Can Lower Your Tax Bill

Texas law requires school districts to give homeowners a $140,000 exemption on their main home. That lowers the value the school district uses to calculate your tax bill. Other local taxing units may offer smaller additional exemptions.

You apply once with the Cochran Appraisal District. The general deadline to file is before May 1 of the tax year. Verify the current deadline directly with the district, since dates can change. Download the application form (Form 50-114) from the Texas Comptroller's site.