San Antonio and Bexar County Property Taxes, Explained for Home Buyers (2026)

The short answer: Texas has no state income tax, so local property taxes pay for schools, cities, counties and other districts. Your bill depends on your home's appraised value, the exemptions you claim and the combined tax rate where the home sits. The biggest money-saver for a new owner is filing for the residence homestead exemption, which now removes $140,000 of value from school district taxes.

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

How your property tax bill is calculated

Each year the appraisal district values your home at market value as of January 1. Each taxing unit (school district, city, county, hospital district, community college and others) sets its own rate. Your bill is roughly: (appraised value minus your exemptions) × each unit's rate, added together. Because rates differ by school district and city, two similar homes a few miles apart in the San Antonio area can have noticeably different tax bills. Before you make an offer, look up the current bill and the taxing units for that exact address on the appraisal district's property search.

Most San Antonio homes are in Bexar County and use the Bexar Appraisal District. Homes in suburbs such as Cibolo, Schertz, New Braunfels, Boerne or Canyon Lake may sit in a neighboring county's appraisal district instead, so check which one applies to the address.

The homestead exemption: file it the first year you own the home

School district exemption: $140,000 off your home's value for school taxes (Texas Tax Code 11.13(b)). The Texas Comptroller's example: a $300,000 home is taxed for school purposes as if it were worth $160,000.
Age 65 or older, or disabled: an additional $60,000 off for school taxes (Tax Code 11.13(c)).
Local option: cities, counties and other units may offer up to 20 percent off (minimum $5,000), and some offer extra exemptions for owners 65 or older or disabled.
100% disabled veterans: a veteran with a 100 percent VA disability rating or individual unemployability may receive a total exemption on the homestead (Tax Code 11.131); certain surviving spouses also qualify. See the military relocation guide.

How to file: complete Form 50-114 (Residence Homestead Exemption Application) and file it with the appraisal district for your county. The general deadline is before May 1. If you buy after January 1, you may still receive the exemption for the rest of that year once you qualify, as long as the previous owner didn't already receive it that year.

The 10 percent cap: once your home qualifies as a homestead, its appraised value for tax purposes generally can't rise more than 10 percent per year, even if the market value rises faster.

Key dates for Bexar County homeowners

January 1: the date your home is valued for the year.
Around April 1: appraisal notices for single-family homes go out.
Before May 1: homestead exemption application deadline.
May 15, or 30 days after your notice is mailed (whichever is later): usual deadline to protest your appraised value.
October: Bexar County begins mailing tax statements.
January 31: last day to pay without penalty and interest. Bexar County also offers a half-payment option (first half by November 30, second half by June 30) and a quarter-pay plan; check the county tax office for eligibility and current dates.

How to protest your appraisal

If you think the appraisal district's value is too high, file a protest by the deadline on your notice. You can ask for an informal meeting with the appraisal district first; if that doesn't resolve it, the appraisal review board (ARB) hears your case. Recent sales of similar homes are the strongest evidence, and a REALTOR® can pull those comparable sales from the MLS for you. If you disagree with the ARB's decision, you have 60 days from receiving its written order to appeal to district court or, for a homestead, to request binding arbitration through the Comptroller.

What this means when you're buying

Budget with the right number. The seller's current bill may include exemptions you won't have in year one (for example an over-65 exemption). Ask your lender to estimate taxes on your purchase price with only the exemptions you'll qualify for.
New construction: the first bill may reflect only the lot or a partially built home, and the next year's bill can jump once the finished home is appraised. Plan for it. See buying new construction in San Antonio.
Escrow: most mortgage payments include a monthly share of your property taxes and insurance. When taxes rise, your payment can rise at the next escrow review.
Proration at closing: the year's taxes are usually split between buyer and seller by the closing date on your settlement statement. See closing costs in San Antonio.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the homestead exemption in Texas in 2026?

For school district taxes, the general residence homestead exemption is $140,000, with an additional $60,000 for homeowners 65 or older or disabled. Cities, counties and other taxing units may add their own optional exemptions.

When should I file for the homestead exemption after buying in San Antonio?

As soon as the home is your primary residence. File Form 50-114 with your county's appraisal district; the general deadline is before May 1.

When are Bexar County property taxes due?

Statements go out starting in October, and January 31 is the last day to pay without penalty and interest. Half-payment and quarter-pay options are available; confirm current dates with the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector.

Can I protest my property taxes in San Antonio?

Yes. You protest the appraised value, usually by May 15 or 30 days after your notice is mailed, whichever is later. Comparable sales are the best evidence.

Questions about taxes on a specific home?

I'm Chris Dudley, a San Antonio REALTOR® and founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC. I help buyers compare the real cost of homes across San Antonio, from Alamo Ranch and Stone Oak to Cibolo, Schertz, Boerne and New Braunfels. Call or text (210) 838-6099 and I'll pull the tax details for any home you're considering.

Sources

General information, not tax or legal advice. Confirm amounts and deadlines with your appraisal district and tax office. Chris Dudley, REALTOR® | Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC | TREC #731381 | 8626 Tesoro Dr, Suite 208, San Antonio, TX 78217 | (210) 838-6099