Texas Homestead Exemption Cuts Your School Tax Bill

State law gives owner-occupied homes a $140,000 exemption on the value used to calculate school district taxes. You file once with WCAD; there is no need to refile each year unless the chief appraiser asks. You can apply between January 1 and April 30 of the tax year.

A separate protection, the homestead cap, limits assessed value growth to 10% per year. That cap resets when you buy a home. New owners often see a big tax jump the first year because the seller's exemptions and cap no longer apply to them. Check wcad.org to apply online or download the form.