Frequently Asked Questions
Exemptions
  1. What is a general homestead exemption?
  2. How do I qualify for the general homestead exemption?
  3. How many acres can I claim as my homestead?
  4. Do I need to reapply every year for my homestead exemption?
  5. When and where do I apply for my homestead exemption?
  6. Can I claim a homestead on a mobile home if I do not own the land?
  7. Am I eligible for additional exemptions when I turn 65?
  8. I am a surviving spouse. Am I eligible for any exemption benefits?
  9. I am a disabled veteran. Am I entitled to any property tax deductions?
  10. I am a homeowner with disabilities. May I receive any property tax benefits?
Real Estate Appraisal
  1. How often do you reappraise my property?
  2. How does the appraisal district determine the value of a home?
  3. Why is IMPROVEMENT shown on my notice when I haven't made any?
  4. Has anyone actually come out and looked at my property?
  5. Are property taxes based on a percentage?
  6. My house is 30 years old. Is this taken into consideration?
  7. Is my house ever depreciated?
  8. How do you arrive at a value on a house?
  9. My house was not completed as of January 1. How do you appraise it?
  10. What if I own a mobile home but not the land?
Renditions(BPP)
  1. What is a rendition for Business Personal Property?
  2. Who must file a rendition?
  3. What types of property must be rendered?
  4. Where can I find the rendition form?
  5. When must the rendition be filed?
  6. Where should the rendition be filed?
  7. Is my information confidential?
  8. What will the appraisal district do with my information?
Exemptions

What is a general homestead exemption?
The general homestead exemption is provided by state law for owner-occupied residential properties. The exemption removes a portion of your value from taxation providing a lower tax amount for the homestead property.
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How do I qualify for the general homestead exemption?
In order to qualify for this exemption you must have owned and occupied the property as of January 1st of that tax year. This property must also be your principal residence and you may not claim another homestead on another piece of property.
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How many acres can I claim as my homestead?
State law allows you to claim that portion of your land that you maintain for residential purposes but this amount may not exceed 20 acres. Generally, one acre or less is maintained for homestead purposes.
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Do I need to reapply every year for my homestead exemption?
No. You do not have to reapply unless the chief appraiser requests a new application or you move to a new residence.
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When and where do I apply for my homestead exemption?
You may apply at the Williamson Central Appraisal District between January 1st and April 30th of the tax year. You may file for late HS exemption up to one year after the date which the taxes become delinquent. You can find an application in the Forms section of our website. Contact our office for more information.
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Can I claim a homestead on a mobile home if I do not own the land?
Yes. You will need to furnish a copy of your title to the mobile home or a verified copy of your purchase contract.
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Am I eligible for additional exemptions when I turn 65?
If you are age 65 or older your residence homestead will qualify for additional exemption deductions and you will receive a tax ceiling for that home on your school taxes. You may file for the over-65 exemption up to one year from the date you turned 65.
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I am a surviving spouse. Am I eligible for any exemption benefits?
If a homeowner who has been receiving the tax ceiling on school taxes dies, the ceiling transfers to the surviving spouse, if the survivor is 55 or older and has ownership in the home. The survivor must apply to the appraisal district for the tax ceiling to transfer. If a homeowner who has been receiving the tax ceiling on school taxes dies, the ceiling transfers to the surviving spouse, if the survivor is 55 or older and has ownership in the home. The surviving spouse must apply to the appraisal district for the tax ceiling to transfer.
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I am a disabled veteran. Am I entitled to any property tax deductions?
You may qualify for a property tax deduction if you are either (1) a verteran who was disabled while serving with the U.S. armed forces or (2) the surviving spouse or child (under 18 years of age or unmarried) of a disabled veteran. You must be a Texas resident and must provide documentation from the Veteran's Administration reflecting the percentage of your service-connected disability. Your disability rating must be at least 10%.
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I am a homeowner with disabilities. May I receive any property tax benfits?
A person with a disability may get exemptions if (1) you can't engage in gainful work because of physical or mental disability or (2) you are 55 years old and blind and can't engage in your previous work because of your blindness. If you receive disability benefits under the Federal Old Age, Survivors, and Disablility Insurance Program through the Social Security Administration you should qualify. Disability benefits from any other program do not automatically qualify.
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Real Estate Appraisal

How often do you reappraise my property?
Typically, the appraisal district reviews all sales information and reviews all properties every year. Market value is the determining factor on deciding which properties are reappraised.
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How does the appraisal district determine the value of a home?
The appraisal district compares a home to similar homes that have sold recently and determines the value accordingly.
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Why is IMPROVEMENT shown on my notice when I haven't made any?
Improvement on your notice means any structure that is attached to the land. A house is an improvement to the land.
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Has anyone actually come out and looked at my property?
Yes, someone has reviewed your property, but it may not have been this year.
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Are property taxes based on a percentage?
No, they are based on 100% of the fair market value of your property.
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My house is 30 years old. is that taken into consideration?
Yes. Age, size, condition and quality of construction are all taken into consideration.
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Is my house ever depreciated?
Yes, but the increase in the fair market value may override the depreciation due to age.
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How do you arrive at a value on a house?
The house is measure, classified, and depreciated due to its condition and age. It is valued based on the sales of similar properties.
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My house was not completed as of January 1. How do you appraise it?
The improvement is added to the tax roll at the percent of completion as of January 1.
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What if I own a mobile home but not the land?
We need a request for separate taxation filed with our office. This will allow the Appraisal District to set the mobile home up on an improvement only account that does not have a land value.
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Rendition(BPP)

What is a rendition for Business Personal Property?
A rendition is a form that provides the appraisal district with the description, location, cost and acquisition dates for business personal property that you own. The appraisal district uses the information to help estimate the market value of your property for taxation purposes.
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Who must file a rendition?
Renditions must be filed by both owners of tangible personal property that is used for the production of income and owners of tangible personal property on which an exemption has been cancelled or denied.
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What types of property must be rendered?
Business owners are required by State law to render business personal property that is used in a business or used to produce income. This property includes furniture and fixtures, equipment, machinery, computers, inventory held for sale or rental, raw materials, finished goods, and work in progress. You are not required to render intangible personal property (property that can be owned but does not have a physical form) such as cash, accounts receivable, goodwill, application computer software, and similar items. If your organization has previously qualified for an exemption that applies to personal property, for example, a religious or charitable organization exemption, you are not required to render the exempt property.
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Where can I find the rendition form?
The forms are available on our web site or you can obtain one from our office.
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When must the rendition be filed?
The last day to file your rendition is April 15 annually. If you mail your rendition, it must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service on or before April 15.
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Where should the rendition be filed?
The mailing address for the general rendition form is Williamson Central Appraisal District, Business Personal Property Division, 625 FM 1460, Georgetown, Texas 78626. You may also fax (512-930-0391) or email (renditions@wcad.org) your rendition.
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Is my information confidential?
Yes. Information contained in a rendition cannot be disclosed to third parties except in very limited circumstances. In addition, the Texas Property Tax Code specifically provides that any estimate of value you provide is not admissible in proceedings other than a protest to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) or court proceedings related to penalties for failure to render. The final value we place on your property is public information, but your rendition is not.
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What will the appraisal district do with my information?
Your rendition will be analyzed along with other information we collect on similar businesses, to develop an estimate of value for your property.
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