File your Texas Homestead Exemption form if you closed on your home by December 31, 2011. I like to remind people in the later part of January because hopefully you're done with your Holiday bills and you're starting to get your tax information ready.

If you own a residence in Texas, you may be able to receive a homestead tax exemption. According to the Texas comptroller's website, a homestead can be a separate structure, condominium or a manufactured home located on owned or leased land. Homestead tax exemptions exempt part of your home's value from taxation. To receive this exemption, you must meet certain criteria and complete required paperwork.

How Do You File for Homestead Exemption in Texas?

Applying for a general $15,000 homestead tax exemption is easy. Go to the applicable site below, click on Search Appraisals or Property Data Search.

Input your address or your name to find your property

Click on your property address

Click on the link to file your exemption online or to print and mail

Dallas- www.dcad.org
Tarrant- www.tad.org
Collin- www.collincad.org
Denton- www.dentoncad.com

Kaufman- www.kaufman-cad.org

Complete the application, answering all of the questions.
Complete online or mail in your application or bring it to your local appraisal district office. The chief appraiser in your district will process your application and will notify you when your homestead tax exemption has been processed.

You have until the end of April to actually file, but why wait until the last minute. Also, if you purchased your home this year, you CANNOT until January 31st next year. You must wait until next year before the end of April to file your exemptions.

It's good to do it as soon as possible so when you get your new Tax Assessment that first week of May, all your information will be correct.

There are many companies that will charge you a pretty penny to file the exemption for you. DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO FILE ANYTHING!! IT'S FREE!!

If you need help, you can call the appraisal districts' number listed on their website or email us and we will help you.

Envoy Mortgage Ltd. – Mortgage Banker Registration- #45300 COMPLAINTS REGARDING MORTGAGE BANKERS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF SAVINGS AND MORTGAGE LENDING, 2601 NORTH LAMAR, SUITE 201, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78705. A TOLL-FREE CONSUMER HOTLINE IS AVAILABLE AT 1-877-276-5550.

THE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS A RECOVERY FUND TO MAKE PAYMENTS OF CERTAIN ACTUAL OUT OF POCKET DAMAGES SUSTAINED BY BORROWERS CAUSED BY ACTS OF MORTGAGE BANKERS . A WRITTEN APPLICATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE RECOVERY FUND MUST BE FILED WITH AND INVESTIGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO THE PAYMENT OF A CLAIM. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECOVERY FUND, PLEASE CONSULT THE DEPARTMENT’S WEB SITE AT WWW.SML.TEXAS.GOV