Beginning next month, individuals seeking to apply for a homestead exemption in Texas will need to comply with a new application process. The recent session of the Texas Legislature imposed rigorous new standards of mandatory disclosure for those property owners who apply for any one of several kinds of homestead exemptions starting September 1. In order to receive a homestead exemption for property tax purposes, applicants must now provide a copy of their Texas driver's license or Texas state-issued identification card and a copy of their vehicle registration receipt with their application for a homestead exemption. The addresses shown on each of the documents must be the same as the address for which the homestead exemption is sought, according to Hays CAD Chief Appraiser David Valle. Those who do not own a vehicle will be required to submit a notarized affidavit certifying that fact and provide a copy of a current bill received from a utility company. The address on the utility bill must be the same as the address on the application for a homestead exemption. The new requirement that takes effect on September 1 is required for any one of the several ways property owners can qualify of a residential property homestead. These include the following. * General residential exemption * Over-65 exemption * Disability Exemption * 100% disabled veterans exemption * Extension of exemption for a surviving spouse * Exemption for manufactured (mobile) home Each of the programs cited above have additional requirements for qualification. However, the common standard is that all such applicants must provide the additional documentation as noted before regarding driver's license, Texas issued identification card, motor vehicle registration, and utility billing receipt. Applications dated and submitted to Hays CAD by August 31, 2011 will be processed under the pre-September 1 guidelines.

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Disabled Veterans Receive Property Tax Relief

Military veterans who are totally disabled or cannot work because of service-related injuries will pay no property taxes on their homes under a new tax exemption approved by the Legislature. House Bill 3613 provides an exemption of the total appraised value of the homesteads of Texas veterans who have received a 100 percent disability rating or are considered unemployable by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The new law is effective for the 2009 tax year, and swift action is necessary to update local property tax rolls and ensure eligible veterans receive the new tax break. Eligible disabled veterans must apply for the tax exemption through the Hays Central Appraisal District. Application forms will be mailed out on August 17, 2009. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Hays Central Appraisal District at 512-268-2522.

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Appraisal District Warns of Company seeking payment to file Homestead Exemption

The Hays Central Appraisal District is issuing a notice to taxpayers in Hays County to be aware of a letter they could receive from a company that offers to file application for homestead exemption with the Appraisal District for a $55.00 processing fee. Taxpayers can do it for free, Chief Appraiser, David G. Valle said of applying for the exemption. Valle said that some taxpayers are confused and think the company is associated with the Appraisal District. We have been getting quite a number of calls from property owners about this company and if it is legitimate. The company mailings in Hays County only contain a Post Office box in Austin, Texas and no telephone number. If Hays County property owners have any questions, please contact the Hays Central Appraisal District at 512-268-2522.

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