HOUSTON – Homeowners in Harris County have until April 30 to claim property tax exemptions they may qualify for, and officials say a new online tool is making the process easier than ever.
The Harris Central Appraisal District has launched an “Exemption Wizard,” a short questionnaire designed to help residents quickly determine which exemptions they’re eligible for and can apply to without visiting an office.
The most common way to save is through the residential homestead exemption, available to homeowners who both own and live in their property as their primary residence. Additional exemptions are available for those 65 and older or those with disabilities, as defined by the Social Security Administration.
“These all offer additional savings if you qualify,” said Jack Barnett with the appraisal district. “You can do this all from home, submit the application automatically. It can’t get any easier.”
Last year, the exemption was $100,000, but now it has been raised this year to $140,000, meaning if you apply, you could lower the taxable value of your home by $140,000.
Homeowners can access the Exemption Wizard on the Harris Central Appraisal District’s website.
For those planning to challenge their property values, the deadline to file a protest is May 15, or 30 days after a notice of appraised value is mailed.
“Once you get your value notice for 2026, if you don’t think it’s correct, you can file a protest online, too,” Barnett said.
Meanwhile, the Harris County Tax Office is offering a new option to help residents manage payments ahead of time.
At an April 7 press conference, Tax Assessor-Collector Annette Ramirez announced a pre-payment program that allows homeowners to begin paying toward their 2026 tax bill now in smaller, monthly amounts.
“It works similarly to an escrow system that gives homeowners more control,” said Ramirez.
The tax office also continues to offer payment plans for those with existing tax debt, including 12, 24, and 36-month options with flexible due dates.
“At the end of the day, this is about more than taxes,” Ramirez said. “It’s about helping families stay financially stable and plan ahead.”
Officials encourage homeowners to review their eligibility and take advantage of available savings before the April 30 deadline.
Also, if you need any help, the Harris Central Appraisal District is hosting regularly scheduled workshops.
Property Taxes, Protests and Exemptions
Fourth Tuesday - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (bi-monthly)
Clearing Title on Inherited Property, Exemptions and Deferred Taxes
Second Thursday - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (bi-monthly with participation from the Texas Legal Services Center)
You must register at https://nrcdc.org/events/ to receive the link.