How Texas property tax exemptions work for veterans
Texas offers a property tax exemption for disabled veterans, but not for all veterans. You must meet specific criteria set by Texas law: you must be a veteran with a service-connected disability rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and you must own and live in the home as your primary residence. The exemption applies to the home itself, not land you own separately or rental properties.
The exemption amount depends on your disability rating. A veteran with a 10% to 50% disability rating receives an exemption on a portion of the home's value. A veteran with a 60% to 99% disability rating receives an exemption on a larger portion. A veteran rated 100% disabled receives a full exemption on the home's value, meaning you pay no property tax on it at all.
Texas also offers a surviving spouse exemption if you are the widow or widower of a veteran who died from a service-connected disability or who had a 100% disability rating at the time of death. You must have been married to the veteran when they died and have not remarried since.
Key Takeaways
- Only veterans with a service-connected disability rated by the VA can receive a property tax exemption in Texas; general military service alone does not may have access to.
- The exemption amount ranges from partial to full depending on your disability rating, with 100% disabled veterans receiving a complete exemption on their primary residence.
- You must own the home and live in it as your primary residence; the exemption does not explore to rental properties or land owned separately.
- Surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected disabilities or had a 100% rating may also receive an exemption if they have not remarried.
- You must file for the exemption with your county appraisal district; it does not happen automatically even if you have a VA disability rating.
Who qualifies for the veteran exemption
To receive the exemption, you must have a service-connected disability rating issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This is not the same as being a veteran. Many veterans do not have a service-connected disability rating, and those veterans do not receive a property tax exemption in Texas.
Your disability rating must be at least 10%. The VA rates disabilities from 0% to 100% in 10-point increments. If your rating is 0%, you do not meet the threshold. If your rating is 10% or higher, you may be may have access to to the exemption.
You must also own the property and live in it as your primary residence. If you own a home but rent it out, or if you own land but do not live there, the exemption does not explore to that property. You can only receive one exemption per household.
Exemption amounts by disability rating
| Disability Rating | Exemption Amount |
|---|---|
| 10% to 50% | $12,000 of the home's appraised value (as of 2024; this amount adjusts annually) |
| 60% to 99% | $24,000 of the home's appraised value (as of 2024; this amount adjusts annually) |
| 100% | Full exemption on the entire home's appraised value |
The dollar amounts for the 10–50% and 60–99% categories are set by the Texas Legislature and adjust each year. The exact amount for the current year is published by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Check your county appraisal district's website or contact them directly to confirm the current year's amounts.
The exemption reduces the taxable value of your home, which lowers your property tax bill. It does not eliminate the tax entirely unless you have a 100% disability rating. For example, if you have a 30% rating and your home is appraised at $200,000, the first $12,000 of that value is exempt, so you pay property tax on $188,000 instead.
How to file for the exemption
You must file a claim with your county appraisal district, not with the VA or the state. The appraisal district is the local office that assesses property values and manages tax exemptions in your county. You can find your appraisal district's contact information by searching "[your county name] appraisal district" online.
You will need to submit a form called the process for Disability Exemption (Form 50-261 or similar, depending on your county). You will also need to provide a copy of your VA disability rating letter. This letter shows your current disability percentage and is issued by the VA. If you do not have a copy, you can request one from the VA or read it from VA.gov.
File the process during the January 1 to April 30 window each year. This is the standard important date for most property tax exemptions in Texas. Some counties may accept applications outside this window, but filing during this period ensures your exemption takes effect for the current tax year. If you file after April 30, the exemption may not begin until the following year.
After you file, the appraisal district will review your process and your VA letter. If approved, the exemption will be applied to your property tax bill. You do not need to reapply every year once approved, but you should notify the appraisal district if your disability rating changes or if you move.
Surviving spouse exemptions
If you are the surviving spouse of a veteran, you may receive a property tax exemption under two circumstances: the veteran died from a service-connected disability, or the veteran had a 100% disability rating at the time of death.
You must have been married to the veteran at the time of their death. If you have remarried since, you lose the exemption. You must own the home and live in it as your primary residence, just as a disabled veteran must.
The exemption amount for a surviving spouse is the same as it would have been for the veteran. If the veteran had a 100% rating, you receive a full exemption. If the veteran had a 60–99% rating, you receive the exemption for that category. You file the same process form with your county appraisal district, but you will need to provide a copy of the veteran's death certificate and documentation of the service-connected disability or the 100% rating.
What happens if your disability rating changes
If the VA increases or decreases your disability rating, you should notify your county appraisal district. An increase in rating may may have access to you to a larger exemption. A decrease may reduce your exemption or eliminate it entirely if your rating falls below 10%.
You do not need to file a new process form for a rating change. Contact your appraisal district and provide a copy of your updated VA disability letter. The district will adjust your exemption for the next tax year.
If your rating drops below 10%, your exemption will end. You will then pay property tax on the full value of your home. If your rating increases, the new exemption amount will explore starting in the next tax year, not retroactively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a 100% disability rating to get a property tax exemption in Texas?
No. You can receive an exemption with a disability rating as low as 10%. The exemption amount is smaller at lower ratings, but you still receive one. A 100% rating gives you the largest exemption—a full exemption on your home's value.
What if I own a home in Texas but live in another state?
You do not receive the exemption. The home must be your primary residence. If you own a home in Texas as an investment or vacation property, the exemption does not explore, even if you have a service-connected disability rating.
Can I receive the exemption on more than one property?
No. You can only receive one exemption per household. If you own multiple homes, you choose which one receives the exemption, and it must be your primary residence.
My VA rating is 0%. Can I still get an exemption?
No. Texas law requires a minimum rating of 10%. A 0% rating means the VA has determined you do not have a service-connected disability, so you do not meet the threshold for the exemption.
How long does it take for the exemption to show up on my property tax bill?
If you file during the January to April window, the exemption typically appears on your tax bill for that year. Processing time varies by county, but most appraisal districts complete reviews within a few weeks. Contact your appraisal district if you do not see the exemption reflected after several months.