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    Surviving spouse — first responder killed in the line of duty

    Tex. Tax Code § 11.134

    What it is

    The surviving spouse of a first responder — peace officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and the other categories eligible under Government Code Chapter 615 — who was killed or fatally injured in the line of duty pays no property tax on the residence homestead, so long as the spouse has not remarried.

    If you later move, the same dollar amount of exemption carries to the new homestead.

    What it's worth

    100% of the appraised value of your residence homestead, and the same dollar amount can be carried to a later homestead.

    You qualify if

    • Your spouse was a first responder killed or fatally injured in the line of duty (an individual listed in Gov't Code § 615.003).
    • You have not remarried, and the property is your residence homestead.

    File any time; we'll pursue any retroactive years available.

    Documents the district requires

    • Line-of-duty death determination

      The determination letter from the employing agency, or the state's Chapter 615 survivor-benefit eligibility letter.

    • Death certificate

    • Texas driver's licence or DPS ID — 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 (surviving spouse 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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