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Ownership/Exemptions - Frequently Asked Questions
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1. How can I change my mailing address? Can you change my mailing address by phone?
To protect the interest of property owners, it is DCAD's policy to require a written request to change a mailing address. Permanent mailing address changes will not be accepted over the telephone. You may send your written request by email at pre@dcad.org or by fax at 214-630-6634. Please indicate the correct mailing address and daytime phone number where you can be reached on your request or complete the Mailing Address Change Request form available on this site.
2. What do I do if the ownership does not reflect the current ownership of a property?
After 90 days from the date of closing on a property, if the appraisal record does not reflect the current ownership, please contact the Property Records Exemptions Department at 214-631-1342.
3. What exemptions are available to homeowners?
Residence Homestead
Age 65 or Older exemption
Surviving Spouse of a person who received the 65 or Older exemption
Disability exemption
Surviving Spouse of a person who received the Disability exemption
Disabled Veteran with 100% Disability for Residence Homestead
Disabled Veteran or Survivor (not limited to your homestead)
4. Do all homes qualify for a homestead exemption?
No, only a homeowner's principal residence qualifies. To qualify, a home must meet the definition of a residence homestead: The home's owner must be an individual (for example: not a corporation or other business entity) and use the home as his or her principal residence on January 1 of the tax year.
5. What is a homestead?
A homestead can be a separate structure, condominium or a manufactured home located on owned or leased land, as long as the individual living in the home owns it. A homestead can include up to 20 acres, if the land is owned by the homeowner and used as a yard or for another purpose related to the residential use of the homestead.
6. How do I apply for an exemption?
Many exemption applications are available on this site or available at Customer Service between 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM, Monday through Thursday and until 5:00 PM on Friday. You may also contact our office at 214-631-0910.
7. Do I apply for a homestead exemption annually?
No, only a one-time application is required, unless by written notice, the Chief Appraiser requests the property owner to file a new application. However, a new application is required when a property owner's residence homestead is changed.
8. May I continue to receive the residence homestead exemption on my home if I move away temporarily?
If you temporarily move away from your home, you may continue to receive this exemption, if you do not establish another principal residence and you intend to return within two years, or if you are a resident of a health facility, or in the military service. You may receive only one Homestead Exemption.
9. What other exemptions are available?
Cemeteries
Charitable Organizations
Religious Organizations
Private Schools
Youth Spiritual, Mental, and Physical Development Associations
Miscellaneous Associations
Historical Sites
Agricultural Appraisal
Freeport Goods for Business Personal Property
Pollution Control Property
Details on each exemption can be found on the Exemptions page on this site.
10. What types of exemptions require an annual application?
Annual applications are required by April 30 for several types of exemptions including:
Property Tax Abatements
Historic Sites
Miscellaneous Associations (such as: Veteran's Organizations)
Freeport Goods
Pollution Control Property
11. Can I get an extension of the April 30th exemption filing deadline?
For good cause shown, the chief appraiser may extend the application filing deadline once for a period not to exceed 60 days. If a person required to apply for an exemption in a given year fails to file timely a completed application form, the person will not receive the exemption for that year. If the chief appraiser learns of any reason indicating that an exemption should not have been granted, the exemption will be cancelled and written notice of the cancellation will be delivered within five days after the date the exemption is cancelled.
12. Do I need to reapply once the exemption is granted and it does not require annual application?
Yes. By written notice, the chief appraiser may require a new application to confirm current qualifications for the exemption.
13. Must I notify the Appraisal District if my entitlement to an exemption ends?
Yes, a person who receives an exemption that is not required to be claimed annually must notify the Appraisal District in writing before May 1 after the entitlement to the exemption ends.
14. Is it true that once I become 65 years of age, I will not have to pay any more taxes?
No, that is not necessarily true. The amount of the exemptions that are granted by each taxing entity is subtracted from the market value of your residence and the taxes are calculated on that "lower value." In addition, when you turn 65, you may receive a "tax ceiling" for your total school taxes; that is, the school taxes on your residence cannot increase as long as you own and live in that home. If you significantly improve your home (other than ordinary repairs and maintenance), tax ceilings can go up. For example, if you add a swimming pool, a garage, a storage building, and a room to your home, or significantly remodel your home, your tax ceiling can rise. It will also change if you move to a new home. The tax ceiling is set at the amount you pay in the year that you qualify for the senior citizen exemption. The county, city or special district may adopt a tax ceiling.
15. How do I transfer my 65 or Older or disability tax ceiling?
You may transfer the same percentage of school taxes paid to another qualified homestead in the state. If the county, city or special district grants the limitation, you may transfer the same percentage of taxes paid to another qualified homestead within that same taxing unit.
To transfer the tax ceiling, you must qualify for the Age 65 or Older or Disability exemption at your previous residence and complete the Tax Ceiling Transfer form. A current Homestead Exemption application must also be completed for the new residence. Applications are available on this site or contact Customer Service at 214-631-0910. Attach acceptable proof of disability includes a current statement from the Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213) showing that you are disabled and the date on which your disability began, or a current letter of verification from your physician stating that you are disabled, the date your disability began, and you are unable to engage in any substantial gainful work for a period which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of one year or more. The exemption application must be completed and include:
1. A copy of the applicant's Texas driver's license or Texas identification certificate; AND
2. A copy the applicant's vehicle registration receipt; OR
a) If the applicant does not own a vehicle, an affidavit to that effect signed by the applicant; AND
b) A copy of a utility bill in the applicant's name for the property for which exemption is sought.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The property address on the exemption application must match the address listed on the applicant's Texas driver's license/Texas identification certificate and vehicle registration receipt or utility bill; otherwise the Chief Appraiser is prohibited from approving the exemption.
Once the form has been processed, a certificate will be sent to the appropriate tax office for processing. If the tax rate has not been set for the current tax year, it will delay the processing of your transfer request. If the tax rate has been set, please allow 30-60 days for processing.
16. If I am disabled and Age 65 or older, can I claim both exemptions in the same tax year?
No, you may not claim both the Age 65 or Older and a Disability exemption in the same tax year.
17. Does a non-profit organization automatically receive a property tax exemption?
No. Often organizations mistakenly believe they are entitled to a property tax exemption because they have received a federal income tax exemption under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or an exemption from State sales taxes. The constitution requirements for property tax exemptions are different than the provisions covering income and sales taxes. A non-profit organization may qualify for a total exemption from property taxes, but they must apply to the Appraisal District for the exemption by April 30. Many exemption applications are available on this site or available at Customer Service between 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM, Monday through Thursday and until 5:00 PM on Friday. You may also contact our office at 214-631-0910.
18. If a religious or charitable organization purchases property during the year may the organization receive an exemption on the new property for that year?
Yes, the religious or charitable organization may receive a property tax exemption for the year in which it purchases qualifying property. To receive the exemption for that year, the organization has to file for the exemption within one year of acquiring the property.
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