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Double Check and File Your Homestead Exemption

Here’s your annual reminder to save yourself some money on your taxes.

Typically, in Texas, winter and spring tend to blend together (keyword: “typically”). Folks here start spring cleaning and updating the outsides of their houses much earlier than pretty much everywhere else. While some people prefer to beautify their gardens and others focus more on porch decor, there’s one item that should be checked off on everyone’s spring cleaning list: the homestead exemption. Have you checked the county’s website to make sure you have yours?

Whether you bought your first home or your fifth one this past year, and no matter if you moved up or downsized, you need to file for your homestead exemption. So long as you owned the new house as of January 1, 2021, you’re owed some substantial tax savings. The filing deadline is April 30, meaning your submission must be completed online or at least postmarked by that date. (If you’re in Williamson or Travis County, online submission is probably the easiest way to do it).

“What are you waiting for? It’s a great day to go save some money!”

Even after you’ve filed for your exemption, life happens; occasionally, refinances, divorces, other life events, or simple mistakes made by the county’s office can lead to homestead exemptions not getting filed. Now, that’s quite rare, but it does happen, and I’ve seen it myself. To avoid any shocking surprises next year, it’s good to just take an annual check of your exemption status via your county’s website. Again, if you haven’t filed yet, go do so right now—what are you waiting for? It’s a great day to go save some money!

As always, if you have any questions about this or any other real estate topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to me by phone or email anytime. I’d love the opportunity to assist you with whatever buying, selling, or investing needs you may have. I look forward to hearing from you soon.