Texas homestead exemption: what it saves and how to file in Collin and Denton counties
A homestead exemption takes part of your home's value off before the tax is calculated. Every school district must exempt $140,000; cities, counties and other units may add up to 20%. You file once, on form 50-114, with your county appraisal district, generally before May 1. If you buy a new home during the year, you can usually file right after closing.
What the exemptions take off a $500,000 home in Collin County
The school district's $140,000 at its 2025 rate, plus the city's own percentage where it offers one. County and college options are not included, so the real saving is at least this much.
| City | School district | School $140,000 | City option | City saves | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frisco | Frisco ISD | $1,427 | 20% | $426 | $1,853 |
| Plano | Plano ISD | $1,455 | 20% | $438 | $1,893 |
| McKinney | McKinney ISD | $1,546 | — | $0 | $1,546 |
| Allen | Allen ISD | $1,576 | 5% | $104 | $1,680 |
| Prosper | Prosper ISD | $1,700 | 17.5% | $442 | $2,142 |
| Celina | Celina ISD | $1,692 | — | $0 | $1,692 |
| Melissa | Melissa ISD | $1,714 | 6% | $136 | $1,851 |
| Anna | Anna ISD | $1,736 | 3% | $79 | $1,815 |
| Princeton | Princeton ISD | $1,690 | — | $0 | $1,690 |
Four numbers in the exemption
The school amount rose from $100,000 to $140,000 after voters approved Proposition 13 on November 4, 2025, starting with the 2025 tax year. Jessie's earlier video covered the step before that, from $40,000 to $100,000.
$140,000
Every school district, on every residence homestead (Tax Code §11.13(b)).
+$60,000
From school districts for owners 65 or older or disabled (§11.13(c)). Only one spouse needs to be 65.
Up to 20%
A local option any city, county or other unit may adopt, never less than $5,000. In 2025 Frisco and Plano offer 20%, Prosper 17.5%.
10% a year
Once you qualify, the homestead's taxable value can rise at most 10% a year, starting the year after the first year you qualify.
When to file, including the year you buy
You must own the home and live in it as your principal residence. Collin CAD asks for a Texas driver license or state ID showing the property address.
Owned it on January 1
File between January 1 and April 30. Collin CAD does not accept early applications.
Bought during the year
You can take the exemption for the rest of that year right away if the previous owner did not receive it that year (Tax Code §11.42(f)). A builder is a company, and only an individual can hold a residence homestead, so a new-home buyer is usually in this position. Confirm with the appraisal district.
Missed the deadline
You can still file up to two years after the date that year's taxes became delinquent.
After that
One application covers later years, unless the chief appraiser asks you to reapply.
How to file in Collin and Denton counties
Every appraisal district uses the Comptroller's form 50-114. Dallas and Tarrant homes file with Dallas CAD and the Tarrant Appraisal District.
Collin CAD, online
Taxpayer portal at onlineportal.collincad.org. Attach a copy of your Texas driver license or state ID.
Collin CAD, on paper
Mail or deliver form 50-114 to 250 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75069, or use the 24-hour drop box. Emailed applications are not accepted.
Denton CAD, online
Online filing from the district's homestead page, the fastest way and the one that shows your application's status.
Denton CAD, on paper
Mail or deliver the application to 3911 Morse Street, Denton, TX 76208.
Homestead exemption questions
Short answers with the sources above.
Do I have to reapply every year?
No. One application covers later years unless the chief appraiser asks you to reapply.
I closed on a new home in June. Do I wait until January?
Usually not. If the previous owner did not receive the exemption that year, and a builder cannot, you can file after you move in and receive it for the rest of the year.
Can I claim it on a rental or a second home?
No. The home has to be your principal residence.
Does the seller's exemption carry over to me?
No. You file your own application with your own ID at the new address.
Why is my new home's first tax bill so low?
The January 1 appraisal saw land or a partly built house. The next bill reflects the finished home, so budget on the completed value.
Next step
Send Jessie the address and closing date
She checks which appraisal district and taxing units the home falls under, whether you can file this year, and what the exemptions take off the bill.