Apply for a Homestead Exemption to Lower Your Tax Bill

If you own and live in your home in Gonzales County, you may qualify for a homestead exemption. Texas requires school districts to exempt $140,000 of your home's value from school taxes. Other local taxing units can add their own exemptions on top of that.

You apply through the Gonzales County Appraisal District, not the tax office. You will need a copy of your Texas driver's license showing your home address. The application is on gonzalescad.org under Forms. Deadlines apply — check the site or call 830-672-2879. The Texas Comptroller also explains the full state exemption program at comptroller.texas.gov.