How to Lower Your Property Tax with a Homestead Exemption

A homestead exemption lowers the taxable value of your home, which means a smaller tax bill. In Frio County you apply through the Frio County Appraisal District, the office at 815 S. Oak St. in Pearsall (830-334-4163). The application is on their website at friocad.org, and they post a Spanish-language version of the form alongside the English one. You must attach a copy of your Texas driver's license or state ID showing the same property address.

There are extra exemptions for homeowners 65 and older and for those with disabilities, and these can cut the bill further. You only have to file the homestead application once for a home you keep living in; FCAD carries it forward year to year. Deadlines and exact savings amounts can change, so confirm the current numbers with the appraisal district directly rather than relying on old figures.