Content UPDATED for 2021 – filing for a homestead exemption is still the easiest way to save money on your real estate taxes.
These days we are all looking for ways to save money whether it be on our grocery bill or our real estate tax bill. The easiest way to save money on your Spring Texas real estate taxes is by filing for the general homestead exemption.
And it is as easy as cutting coupons out of the Sunday newspaper. The big advantage filing for the homestead exemption is …. you only have to file for it once to receive the money saving benefit of it year after year.
But beware and do not fall for the marketing scam that is prevalent during filing season. Because you do not have to pay a filing fee of $35 to $50 in order to receive a general homestead exemption on your home. You can file for the homestead exemption yourself. The form is only a single page and the instructions are easily understandable. And if you need help filing out the form, give us a call. We will be happy to help for free.
What do you have to do to qualify for the general homestead exemption?
In order to qualify for the homestead exemption, you have to meet three simple requirements: 1) You must own your home on January 1st of the tax year and 2) You must use the home as your primary residence and 3) you or your spouse have not claimed a general homestead exemption on another home.
So how much money do you save on your Spring Texas real estate taxes with a general homestead exemption?
The general homestead exemption will reduce the tax assessed value of your home by
Are there any oh by the ways …. that you should know about?
Yes. There are two things to remember: 1) You do NOT automatically receive the general homestead exemption just because you meet the qualifications and own a home. To receive the exemption you MUST file for it. If you do not file, you will not receive the exemption and 2) You can ONLY file for the general homestead exemption between January 1st and April 30th of the tax year.
So if filing and receiving the general homestead exemption is so easy, why do only 50% of Houstonians that qualify for the exemption receive it? That’s a real good question. And I believe the answer is because homeowners either a) thought they automatically receive the exemption or b) thought they filed for the exemption when they closed on their home or c) just do not know the homestead exemption exists.
The form you need to complete and mail can be located by clicking on this link for Harris county general homestead exemption or this link for the Montgomery county general homestead exemption.
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Jill was phenomenal during every step of selling my father's home. This process was extremely difficult for me, as... read moreJill was phenomenal during every step of selling my father's home. This process was extremely difficult for me, as my father passed away last year. Jill listened to EVERY story I had, and there were a lot of them! She allowed me to share the memories of the house, which helped me prepare to let it go.
She is very knowledgeable in what to and what not to do in regards to getting the home ready to sell, what to tackle during the negotiation process and she made the closing extremely convenient. She was thoughtful enough to place the "sold" sign on the property a week in advance, to allow me time to process it all.
Paying constant attention to what is happening around your listing is one of JIll's many strengths. Her goal is to get you the most money for your property, and she has different strategies to that end result.
I not only gained a new realtor, but in JIll, I also gained a friend! I will be forever grateful for her through this tough process and I know my Dad would have loved her! "Thanks," will never be enough! read less