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    Age 65 or older

    Tex. Tax Code §§ 11.13(c)–(d), 11.26

    What it is

    Turning 65 adds two layers of relief to an existing homestead: a larger exemption amount, and the school-tax ceiling — from your qualifying year forward, your school-district taxes can go down but never above the frozen amount (improvements you add later can raise the ceiling).

    The exemption applies for the entire tax year in which you turn 65, and if the district already has your birth date on file it is required to grant it automatically (§ 11.43(m)). If you move, you carry a percentage of your ceiling to the new homestead.

    A surviving spouse who is 55 or older when the qualifying spouse dies keeps both the exemption and the ceiling on the same home (§ 11.13(q), § 11.26(i)).

    Note: a person qualifying for both the over-65 and disabled-person exemptions must choose one for the school amount — they do not stack.

    What it's worth

    An additional $60,000 off for school taxes (§ 11.13(c), as raised by Proposition 11 in 2025) on top of the $140,000 general homestead amount, plus any local-option additional amount of $3,000 or more a taxing unit adopts. Your school taxes are also frozen at the amount you paid in your qualifying year (§ 11.26), and counties, cities, and colleges may adopt the same ceiling (§ 11.261).

    You qualify if

    • You qualify for the residence homestead exemption on this home.
    • You are 65 or older — it applies for the whole year in which you turn 65.

    Effective for the whole year you turn 65; file as soon as you qualify. Late applications are accepted up to two years after the delinquency date.

    Documents the district requires

    • Texas driver's licence or DPS ID — shows your date of birth; address must match this property

      Required by Tax Code § 11.43(n). If you've moved, update your address with DPS first — the district will deny the application if the addresses differ. A passport or handgun licence cannot substitute.

    Filed on Form 50-114 (age 65 or older section). You upload these in the application — we prepare the district's form and file it with them.

    County specifics

    Travis County (TCAD)

    • TCAD accepts online filing, but strictly enforces the ID-address match — a passport or handgun licence is not accepted, and a mismatched address is an automatic denial.
    • If you moved recently, change your address with Texas DPS before applying; TCAD may also ask for supplemental proof of residence such as a current utility bill in your name or your vehicle registration.

    Williamson County (WCAD)

    • WCAD supports online filing from your property record. Your Texas DL or DPS ID must show this property's address.
    • If you previously claimed a homestead in another county, WCAD may ask for confirmation from the prior appraisal district that the old exemption was removed.

    Hays County (Hays CAD)

    • Files on the standard Form 50-114 with a matching Texas DL or DPS ID. Online submission is available through the Hays CAD site.

    Bell County (Bell CAD)

    • Standard Form 50-114 filing with matching Texas DL or DPS ID. Bell CAD may request a current utility bill when the occupancy date is recent.

    Bastrop County (Bastrop CAD)

    • Standard Form 50-114 filing with matching Texas DL or DPS ID.

    Burnet County (Burnet CAD)

    • Standard Form 50-114 filing with matching Texas DL or DPS ID.

    Llano County (Llano CAD)

    • Standard Form 50-114 filing with matching Texas DL or DPS ID.

    Lampasas County (Lampasas CAD)

    • Standard Form 50-114 filing with matching Texas DL or DPS ID.

    Kimble County (Kimble CAD)

    • Standard Form 50-114 filing with matching Texas DL or DPS ID.

    Apply

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