| FAQ | Exemption Questions back to top |
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| Q | What is a general homestead exemption? |
| A | 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.back to top |
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| Q | How do I qualify for the general homestead exemption? |
| A | 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.back to top |
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| Q | How many acres can I claim as my homestead? |
| A | 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.back to top |
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| Q | Do I need to reapply every year for my homestead exemption? |
| A | No. You do not have to reapply unless the chief appraiser requests a new application or you move to a new residence.back to top |
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| Q | When and where do I apply for my homestead exemption? |
| A | 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. Contact our office for more information.back to top |
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| Q | Can I claim a homestead on a mobile home if I do not own the land? |
| A | Yes. You will need to furnish a copy of your title to the mobile home or a verified copy of your purchase contract.back to top |
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| Q | Am I eligible for additional exemptions when I turn 65? |
| A | 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.back to top |
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| Q | I am a surviving spouse. Am I eligible for any exemption benefits? |
| A | 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.back to top |
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| Q | I am a disabled veteran. Am I entitled to any property tax deductions? |
| A | 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%.back to top |
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| Q | I am a homeowner with disabilities. May I receive any property tax benfits? |
| A | 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.back to top |
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| FAQ | Real Estate Appraisal back to top |
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| Q | How often do you reappraise my property? |
| A | 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.back to top |
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| Q | How does the appraisal district determine the value of a home? |
| A | The appraisal district compares a home to similar homes that have sold recently and determines the value accordingly.back to top |
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| Q | Why is IMPROVEMENT shown on my notice when I haven't made any? |
| A | Improvement on your notice means any structure that is attached to the land. A house is an improvement to the land.back to top |
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| Q | Has anyone actually come out and looked at my property? |
| A | Yes, someone has reviewed your property, but it may not have been this year.back to top |
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| Q | Are property taxes based on a percentage? |
| A | No, they are based on 100% of the fair market value of your property.back to top |
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| Q | My house is 30 years old. is that taken into consideration? |
| A | Yes. Age, size, condition and quality of construction are all taken into consideration.back to top |
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| Q | Is my house ever depreciated? |
| A | Yes, but the increase in the fair market value may override the depreciation due to age.back to top |
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| Q | How do you arrive at a value on a house? |
| A | The house is measure, classified, and depreciated due to its condition and age. It is valued based on the sales of similar properties.back to top |
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| Q | My house was not completed as of January 1. How do you appraise it? |
| A | The improvement is added to the tax roll at the percent of completion as of January 1.
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| Q | What if I own a mobile home but not the land? |
| A | 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.back to top |
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