How to file your homestead exemption in San Antonio (2026)

By Chris Dudley, San Antonio REALTOR® and founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC (TREC #731381). Updated October 2026.

Short answer: Once you own and live in your San Antonio-area home as your main residence, file a free Residence Homestead Exemption Application with your county appraisal district (Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe or Kendall). Use a Texas driver's license or state ID showing the property address. The school district exemption is $140,000 of your home's value, plus another $60,000 if you are 65 or older or have a qualifying disability.

What the homestead exemption does

  • Takes $140,000 off your home's taxable value for school district taxes (Texas law). Example: on a $200,000 home, school taxes apply to $60,000.
  • Adds $60,000 more for owners 65 and older or with a qualifying disability, and freezes the school tax bill once you turn 65.
  • Brings the 10% cap on how fast your home's taxable value can rise each year.
  • Some cities and counties offer their own homestead exemptions on top.

(Source: Texas Tribune, Oct. 20, 2026.)

Step by step

  1. Move in. You must own the home (any ownership share) and live in it as your primary residence. You can only claim one homestead.
  2. Update your ID. The address on your Texas driver's license or state ID must match the home. (Active-duty military are an exception to the matching rule.)
  3. Get the form. Use the Texas Comptroller's Residence Homestead Exemption Application (form 50-114), which every appraisal district accepts, or your district's own online filing.
  4. File with the right district: Bexar County (San Antonio, Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, Live Oak, Windcrest, Converse, Universal City): Bexar Appraisal District, bcad.org, P.O. Box 830248, San Antonio, TX 78283, (210) 242-2432. Comal County (New Braunfels, Canyon Lake): Comal Appraisal District, comalad.org. Guadalupe County (most of Cibolo and Schertz): Guadalupe Appraisal District. Kendall County (Boerne): Kendall Appraisal District. Some cities sit in more than one county, so check the county on your closing documents or tax bill.
  5. Confirm it. Districts have 90 days to decide and usually don't mail an approval letter. Check your property record online, your April notice of appraised value or your October tax bill.

Timing after you close

  • If you lived in the home on January 1, the deadline is April 30.
  • If you bought after January 1, you can apply once you own and live in the home. If the seller already had a homestead exemption that year, you apply for the next year; if not, apply right away to get it for the rest of the year.
  • Missed it? Most owners can file late up to two years after that year's taxes are paid and get a refund of the difference.

Don't pay to file

Filing a homestead exemption is free with your appraisal district. Mailers offering to file it for a fee are not required.

How Chris helps

Chris Dudley is a San Antonio REALTOR. Closed sales: 76 in 2024 ($25.1M), 39 in 2025 ($12.2M) and 26 in 2026 through August 28 ($9.0M), for 141 closed sales and $46.3M since January 2024 (Real Broker transaction records). After closing, he reminds buyers which appraisal district to file with and how, and he helps owners in Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe and Kendall counties understand their property taxes before they buy or sell.

Related guides

FAQ

How much is the Texas homestead exemption in 2026?

$140,000 off taxable value for school district taxes, plus $60,000 more for owners 65 or older or with a qualifying disability. Cities and counties may add their own.

When should I file after buying a home in San Antonio?

As soon as you own and live in the home. If the seller already had a homestead exemption for that year, yours starts the next January 1.

Does it cost anything to file?

No. Filing with your county appraisal district is free.

Do I need to reapply every year?

Generally no, unless your eligibility changes or the appraisal district asks you to confirm it.

Next step: Buying or selling in the San Antonio area? Call or text Chris Dudley at (210) 838-6099. Office: 8626 Tesoro Dr, Suite 208, San Antonio, TX 78217. Mon-Sat 9 AM-6 PM.

General information, not tax or legal advice. Confirm details with your appraisal district.