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How to File the Texas Homestead Exemption

Form 50-114, step by step — Williamson County for Sun City Texas buyers, Hays County for Kissing Tree buyers, and the over-65 school tax freeze that locks your school taxes permanently

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What You Get When You File

Filing Form 50-114 correctly and on time establishes three overlapping tax benefits for 65+ primary Texas homeowners:

ExemptionValue (2026)Effect
Standard homestead exemption$140,000 off appraised valueReduces all property taxes proportionally
Over-65 school exemptionAdditional $60,000 off school taxable valueTotal $200K school exemption — eliminates school taxes on homes under $200K assessed
School tax freeze (ceiling)Permanent — locks school taxes at qualifying year amountSchool taxes never increase regardless of appreciation
The school tax freeze is the most financially powerful benefit — not because of what it saves in year one, but because Austin-area home values have appreciated 40–60% in the past decade. Without the freeze, school taxes would have risen proportionally. With it, they are locked permanently at the year you turned 65 and qualified.

Step-by-Step Filing Instructions

Williamson County (Georgetown / Sun City Texas)

  1. Go to wcad.org — Williamson Central Appraisal District
  2. Download Form 50-114 (Application for Residence Homestead Exemption) or file online through the WCAD portal
  3. Complete all fields: owner name, property address, and the date you occupied the property as your principal residence
  4. Check both boxes: “General Residence Homestead” AND “Age 65 or Older”
  5. Attach a copy of your Texas driver's license or Texas state ID showing the property address
  6. Submit by April 30 for the current tax year. File online, by mail, or in person at 625 FM 1460, Georgetown TX 78626
  7. The school tax freeze activates automatically once the over-65 exemption is approved — no separate application required

Hays County (San Marcos / Kissing Tree)

  1. Go to hayscad.com — Hays Central Appraisal District
  2. Download or complete Form 50-114 online
  3. Same completion process as above — check both General Homestead and Over-65 boxes
  4. Attach TX driver's license showing San Marcos property address
  5. Submit by April 30. In-person: 21001 IH-35 N, Kyle TX 78640
  6. Note: Hays County's school freeze for HCISD (Hays CISD) requires you to contact the Hays County Appraisal District to request the freeze be applied — verify current procedure on hayscad.com at time of filing
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Late Filing and Retroactive Applications

Texas allows late homestead exemption applications for up to two years after the qualifying date. If you purchased in 2024 and never filed, you can file in 2026 for retroactive exemption back to 2024. If you have been eligible for the over-65 exemption since 2022 but never applied, contact the county appraisal district about retroactive applications — you may receive refunds or credits on prior years' bills.

Unlike some states where the exemption is automatic upon purchase, Texas requires an active application. The exemption is never automatic. You must file, and you must do so while the property is your principal residence. Missing the April 30 deadline does not eliminate the exemption for that year — late applications are accepted up to two years back — but filing on time ensures your current year's bill reflects the exemptions.

If You Move Within Texas

The school tax freeze (ceiling) can be transferred to a new homestead within Texas. If you sell your Sun City Texas home and purchase a Kissing Tree home in the same tax year, you can transfer the ceiling amount to your new property. Contact the new county appraisal district about the transfer process. The ceiling amount transfers proportionally based on the value of your new home relative to your old one.

Questions About Filing Your Texas Exemptions?

We can help you understand the process and connect you with county appraisal district resources.

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