Cut Your Property Tax Bill with a Homestead Exemption

A homestead exemption does not change the tax rate. It takes part of the home's value out of the taxable value. On the Texas Comptroller page accessed July 4, 2026, school districts must provide a $140,000 residence homestead exemption, and local taxing units may add their own local-option exemption.

The filing path is local. Exemption applications go to the appraisal district in the county where the property sits. In Milam County, that office is Milam Central Appraisal District at 120 N. Houston Ave. in Cameron, with a district website linked from the state directory.

The plain test is ownership plus use as your principal residence, with no other residence-homestead claim. The general filing deadline is before May 1, but if you are close to a deadline or have a special situation, start with the Comptroller form and then use the Milam district link in the state directory.