Property tax exemptions you may not be claiming: homestead, senior, veteran, and disability (worth $200–$3,000 a year)
Every state has property tax breaks that don't apply automatically: you must file once with the county assessor. Homestead exemptions for any owner-occupant, senior freezes and exemptions from 61–65+, veteran exemptions up to a full waiver for 100% disabled veterans, and disability exemptions. What each is worth, the deadlines, how to check whether you already have it, and how to appeal an over-assessment.
- Homestead exemption: available in most states to anyone who owns and lives in the home. Knocks $5,000–$75,000 off the taxable value (Florida $50,000; Texas $140,000 for school taxes since 2025; Georgia, Louisiana, Illinois, Ohio, Oklahoma and others have their own). Worth $200–$1,500 a year. Not automatic in most places: file once with the county.
- Senior exemptions and freezes (usually 61–65+, sometimes income-limited): extra exemptions, assessment freezes, or tax deferrals. Texas, Illinois, Georgia, Washington, New York (STAR Enhanced), Arizona, and many others.
- Veteran exemptions: partial for wartime service in many states; 100% disabled veterans pay zero property tax in Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois (partial scale), and several others.
- Disability exemptions for homeowners with a qualifying disability, and surviving spouse protections.
- If your assessment is above market value, appeal: roughly 30–60% of appeals win some reduction, and it's free to file.
Check what you already have (2 minutes)
Look up your parcel on the county assessor's or appraisal district's website (search "[county] property search"). The record shows exemptions on file. If "Homestead" is missing and you live in the home, you're overpaying, and in several states (Texas, Florida among them) you can claim the current year and sometimes recover one or two prior years.
The four families of exemptions
Homestead (owner-occupied primary residence)
- Who: you own the home (or hold it in a qualifying trust) and it's your primary residence on the assessment date (often January 1).
- Worth: examples: Florida up to $50,000 off assessed value plus the "Save Our Homes" 3% cap on increases; Texas $140,000 off school district value plus a 10% annual cap; Georgia $2,000–$50,000 depending on county; Illinois $8,000–$10,000; Louisiana $7,500; Oklahoma $1,000; Mississippi up to $300 credit; Idaho 50% of value up to a cap.
- Deadline: often March 1 (Florida), April 30 (Texas, but late filing up to 2 years allowed), or with the state income return (Massachusetts, Michigan credits).
- Apply: county appraiser/assessor form, proof of residence (driver's license at the address).
Senior (61–65+)
- Extra flat exemptions (Texas: $10,000 more off school taxes plus a tax ceiling; Georgia: school tax exemptions in many counties), assessment freezes (Illinois Senior Freeze under ~$65,000 income; Arizona Senior Valuation Protection; Washington's exemption/deferral under an income limit), deferrals (pay when the home sells), and state credits (New York Enhanced STAR, Pennsylvania rebate up to $1,000).
- Many require an income limit and annual renewal.
Veterans
- 100% service-connected disabled: full exemption of the homestead in Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, New Hampshire, Virginia, Maryland, Oklahoma, Iowa and others; large partial in California ($175,000–$262,000 of value), Illinois (full at 70%+).
- Partial for any wartime veteran: Florida $5,000; New York alternative veterans exemption 15–25%; Massachusetts $400–$1,500; Connecticut, Ohio, and others.
- Surviving spouses usually keep the exemption.
- Proof: VA disability letter, DD-214.
Disability and others
- Disabled homeowners (any age) in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Washington and more; blind or first-responder exemptions; agricultural and historic classifications; renter's credits in states where renters pay property tax indirectly (CA, MN, WI, VT, MD).
Appeal an over-assessment (free, and it works)
- Find your assessed value and the county's ratio (some assess at 100% of market value, some at a fraction).
- Compare with recent sales of similar homes (Zillow/Redfin sold listings, or the assessor's own comps). If your assessed market value is 5–10%+ above what comparable homes sold for, appeal.
- File the appeal/protest by the deadline printed on your assessment notice (often 30–45 days after it's mailed; Texas May 15; Cook County by township schedule).
- Bring 3–5 comparable sales, photos of any defects (roof, foundation, flooding), and, if you have one, a recent appraisal.
- Most counties hold an informal review first where many reductions are granted; a formal hearing follows if needed. No lawyer required. Some firms do it for a share of savings; it's not necessary for a typical home.
FAQ
I bought the house last year. Does the previous owner's homestead carry over?
No. Exemptions reset at sale; file your own by the deadline or you pay the unexempted rate.
Does the exemption lower my mortgage payment?
Yes, the escrow portion drops after the county recalculates; ask your servicer for an escrow analysis.
I'm a veteran with 60% disability
Check your state's scale: Texas gives $10,000 off for 50–69%, Illinois exempts $5,000 at 50–69%, California and Florida have their own thresholds. Also check county-level extras.
Can I get a refund for years I didn't claim?
Depends on the state: Texas allows a late homestead application for up to 2 prior years; Florida allows correction of clerical errors; others only prospectively. Ask the assessor.