How to claim a homestead exemption in Denton County

If you own and live in your home as your main residence, you can apply for a homestead exemption. Under Texas Tax Code Section 11.13, the key test is that you owned and occupied the home on January 1 of the tax year. The exemption lowers the value used to calculate your tax bill. School districts must provide a $140,000 exemption on a residence homestead (Tax Code 11.13(b)).

File the application with the Denton Central Appraisal District, not the tax office. You generally do not need to reapply every year once approved. DCAD does internal audits and may ask some owners to verify. Check dentoncad.com for the current form and any deadline details, since deadlines can change.