Allen Markel, REALTOR® · Texas Premier Realty

Owning

Exemption savings

What each Texas property-tax exemption keeps in your pocket, unit by unit, at your county's actual rates. Filing is free.

Which exemption?

Tax Code 11.13(a), (b), (n); 23.23. Who qualifies, the form and the deadline

One or the other from each taxing unit — the law does not let the same unit give both.

Tax rates per $100 — typical for Harris County, 2025 adopted, from our tax-roll research. Edit to match your bill.

  • Houston ISD, the county's largest. Cypress-Fairbanks ISD is 1.0669; Katy, Klein, Spring, Tomball and Cy-Fair all differ — use the ISD line on your bill.
  • The five county-wide units that share the 20% homestead option. The county's own 65+/disabled amount was not read on an official page — enter it from your bill.
  • Houston's 20% local option is widely reported but not confirmed on a city page; set to 0 if you live outside a city.
  • County-wide college district only. A MUD (common in Cypress and the newer suburbs) adds $0.40–$1.00 more — add yours here.

You keep, every year

$2,033 /yr

School district — tax after
$1,844
County — tax after
$1,761
City — tax after
$1,454
Other districts — tax after
$371
Total tax without the exemption
$7,463
Total tax with it
$5,430

The $140,000 school amount is state law and the same everywhere in Texas. The percentage and 65+ amounts are each unit's own choice, which is why the county matters here.

Not sure which units tax you? Your bill lists every one, and so does the appraisal district's property record.

How the $2,033 a year is built, unit by unit, on a $350,000 appraised value in Harris County. Tax = taxable value × rate ÷ 100.
Taxing unitRateExemption appliedTaxable valueTax withoutTax withYou save
School district0.8783$140,000 homestead$210,000$3,074$1,844$1,230
County0.628920% local option$280,000$2,201$1,761$440
City0.519220% local option$280,000$1,817$1,454$363
Other districts0.1060none$350,000$371$371$0
Total2.1324$7,463$5,430$2,033

Budgetary estimate, not a tax bill. Rates are the 2025 adopted figures for the largest units in each county from our tax-roll research; yours are on your bill and the appraisal district decides what you qualify for. Filing is free — never pay a service to file an exemption. Allen helps every client file after closing.

Talk to a lender

These are the lenders Allen works with. For any lender you’d like to talk to, tap Make introduction — we’ll make the introduction for you.

Allen Markel is a licensed Texas REALTOR®, not a mortgage lender or loan originator. He does not quote rates or terms and does not decide whether you qualify — only a lender can do that. Introductions are a courtesy; you choose who to work with.

Numbers raising questions? Walk through them with a person.

Schedule time with Allen

Questions about Exemption Savings

What it does

  • What does the exemption savings calculator show?

    It estimates what a Texas property-tax exemption keeps in your pocket each year, unit by unit, using your county's rates. It lists each taxing unit, the exemption applied, the tax with and without it, and the total saved. The table makes it easy to see which unit gives you the most.

  • Can I test a home I am thinking of buying?

    Yes. Enter the value for that home, pick the exemption you may qualify for and the county, and see the estimate by taxing unit. It helps you compare the yearly cost of two homes. Remember that the exemption belongs to the owner who files, not to the house, so a seller's savings do not carry over to you.

The inputs

  • Which exemption should I pick in the calculator?

    Choose the one you may qualify for, such as the general homestead, the 65 or older option, or one of the veteran options. The page links to who qualifies, the form and the deadline. The appraisal district decides what you actually qualify for, so confirm there.

  • What do I enter for the value?

    Enter the value of the home you want to test. The calculator applies each unit's rate to that value after the exemption. Because it is an estimate, use the value on your notice or for the home you are considering, and compare it with your bill.

  • Why does the calculator ask for rates for school, county, city and other districts?

    Each taxing unit sets its own rate, and the exemption works differently in each. The calculator pre-fills typical 2025 adopted rates for the county and lets you edit them. Your bill lists every unit, so match the fields to it for a closer answer.

  • Can I add the 65 or older option to a general homestead?

    The calculator has a field for it, and the page notes that each taxing unit gives one or the other, not both. Pick No or 65 or older in that field and the result changes to match. Your appraisal district confirms what each unit actually applies to your account, so check there before you count on a number.

  • Does the exemption calculator include a MUD charge?

    Not on its own. It pre-fills typical rates for the county's main taxing units, and a MUD, which is common in newer suburbs, goes in the Other field. Find your MUD line on your bill or the district's record and enter it. Without it the estimate will look smaller than a bill that carries a MUD.

  • Which counties does the exemption calculator cover?

    Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Waller, Grimes and Austin. Pick yours and the calculator pre-fills typical adopted rates for that county, which you can edit. If your home sits somewhere else, the method still works if you enter the rates from your own bill, but treat the result as a rough picture.

  • What are the local option percentages in the calculator?

    Some counties and cities choose to add their own homestead exemption in addition to the state amount, within a range from 0 to 20 percent of the value. Others choose none. The calculator lets you enter your unit's percentage, so match it to your bill or ask your appraisal district what each unit offers.

  • Why does the calculator say to set the city to 0 if I live outside a city?

    Because a city line only applies when a city taxes your home. If you live outside city limits, there is no city line on your bill, so entering 0 keeps the estimate from adding tax that you would not pay. Your bill and the appraisal district's property record show exactly which units tax you.

  • What other exemptions are in the calculator's list?

    Besides the general homestead, the list includes options such as 65 or older and several veteran, surviving spouse and donated homestead choices. Each has its own rules, and the page links to who qualifies, the form and the deadline. Your appraisal district confirms which one applies to you.

Reading the result

  • What does the you keep every year figure mean?

    It is the difference between your estimated tax without the exemption and with it, added up across all taxing units. It is a yearly estimate, not a refund or a bill. Your own result depends on your county, your units and what the appraisal district approves.

  • Why is the school district savings the same everywhere in Texas?

    The page explains that the school amount is set by state law and is the same everywhere. The percentage and 65 or older amounts are each unit's own choice, which is why the county you choose changes the result for the other units.

  • What if my home is in a MUD?

    The page says a MUD, common in Cypress and the newer suburbs, adds more rate that you can enter in the other districts field. Check your bill to find the right figure, since MUD rates vary. Leaving it out will understate your tax and the savings.

  • Why does the school district line show a different saving than the others?

    Each taxing unit treats the exemption its own way. The page explains that the $140,000 school amount is state law and the same everywhere in Texas, while the county and city amounts are each unit's own choice, which is why the county matters. The table shows the tax with and without the exemption for every unit.

  • Does an exemption change what my home would sell for?

    No. An exemption changes the amount of value that gets taxed, not what a buyer would pay. County values are set for taxation and often differ from market value. For a market view of your home, talk to us about our listing data and what recent sales of similar homes show.

Limits

  • Do I have to pay a service to file an exemption?

    The page says filing is free and that you should not pay a service to file one. You can file with the appraisal district yourself. Allen helps every client file after closing, so if you buy with us, we will walk you through it.

  • Is the exemption calculator a tax bill?

    No. The page calls it a budgetary estimate, not a tax bill. The rates it uses are 2025 adopted figures for the main taxing units in each county, and your own rates are on your bill. Your appraisal district decides which exemptions are on your account, and your tax office sends the bill.

  • Does the calculator tell me if I qualify for an exemption?

    No. It only shows what an exemption would be worth if you qualify. Your appraisal district decides what is on your account, based on its own rules and your application. Use the page's links to see who qualifies, then confirm with the district or a tax adviser before counting on a number.

  • Why would my real bill differ from the calculator's result?

    Several things can differ: the rates your units adopted, the value the district set for your home, exemptions already on your account, and any MUD or other district on your bill. The calculator is a budgetary estimate built from typical rates. Your tax office sends the official bill, and the appraisal district can explain your value.

  • Will the estimated savings lower my mortgage payment?

    Not automatically. If your taxes are paid through escrow, the servicer adjusts the monthly amount after it sees the real bill, often after its annual review. Insurance changes can move the payment too. Ask your loan servicer how and when the escrow amount will be updated, and keep your own records of what was approved.

  • Should I rely on the calculator instead of asking a tax adviser?

    Use it for a first picture and good questions, not for decisions. It is an estimate that follows typical rates, and it cannot see your account. For advice on your own situation ask a CPA or tax adviser, and for what is on your account ask your appraisal district.

Next steps

  • When should I file for an exemption?

    Filing dates are set by the appraisal district, so ask them what applies to your situation, and use the page's link to who qualifies, the form and the deadline. Waiting is the costly habit here, because a missed filing can mean paying tax you did not have to. If you are buying, ask us how the timing lines up with your closing.

  • Who does what when it comes to my exemption: appraisal district, tax office, CPA or REALTOR?

    Your appraisal district sets your value and holds your exemption. Your tax office sends the bill and handles payments and refunds. A CPA or tax adviser advises on your own tax situation. A REALTOR like us explains how the numbers fit into buying or owning a home, and helps you ask each office the right questions.

  • How do I use the calculator when I am comparing two homes?

    Run each home with the same exemption and its own county, school district and any MUD. Then compare the yearly totals next to the monthly payment, not just the price. Our Property Tax Lookup shows each home's bill by taxing unit before exemptions, which makes a good partner. Talk to us if the numbers leave you unsure which home fits.

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