Joyce Godwin
 RE/MAX Realty Center
12810 Telge,Cypress,TX 77429
Office Phone: (281) 213-6281
Cell Phone: (281) 381-084
Web: www.joycegodwin.com
Texas Tips Joyce Godwin
If you owned and lived in your home on or before January 1, 2011, and do not claim a residential homestead on another property, you will probably want want to fill out an Application for Residential Homestea8d Exemption before April 30, 2011. This may save you money on your property taxes.
If you have filled one out for previous years and were granted the residential homestead exemption(s), you should not have to fill out another one for the same property unless:
• The chief appraiser sends you a new application,
• You now qualify for additional exemptions, such as age or disability,
• If married, the oldest spouse should fill out the application, to ensure qualification without reapplication for the Over-65 Exemption
If you purchased a home last year, the title company may have given you an Application for Residential Homestead Exemption then and indicated to send it in after the first of the year. Many Realtors will send one out to their clients, as well.
Residential Homestead Exemptions available to residents of Texas are:
• General Residential Exemption
• Over-65 Exemption
• Disability Exemption
• 100% Disabled Veterans Exemption
• Over-55 Surviving Spouse
For an in-depth explanation of exemptions, please see Window on State Government.
If you need an Application for Residential Homestead Exemption form, feel free to contact me. Each county will have their own form. If you miss the deadline, you can still apply for a Residential Homestead Exemption the following year.
You may receive offers in the mail from companies that will charge $25.00 to $50.00 (or more) to file an Application for Residential Homestead Exemption for you. You may also get offers to fill out a form to Change Your Name on the Tax Records for you. Most homeowners believe they are capable of filling out these forms themselves, as they are quite simple one-page forms. Before paying for this service, you may want to see a Consumer Alert from Harris County.
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