File a homestead exemption to lower your Smith County tax bill

A homestead exemption lowers the value used for your tax bill. It is for the home where you live full time. File state Form 50-114 with Smith CAD at 245 SSE Loop 323 in Tyler. Once approved, it stays with the home while it remains your main residence.

There is no filing fee. The usual deadline is April 30 for that tax year. A late filing may still work for up to two years after the taxes were due, so ask Smith CAD before giving up. The exemption can also limit the yearly rise in taxable appraised value to 10 percent over last year's capped value.