01/16/2016 HCAD Mails Homestead Exemption Confirmations (01/16/2016)

Harris County Appraisal District News Release

For additional information contact Jack Barnett, Communications Officer, 713-957-5663

January 12, 2016

HCAD Mailing Homestead Exemption Confirmations

Houston —The Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) has mailed a confirmation
postcard to all homeowners currently on file with a homestead exemption.
Homeowners should have received a postcard in their mailbox verifying they have a
homestead exemption on their property. This is an annual mailing by HCAD to
homeowners confirming their homeowner exemption is in place. An exemption excludes
all or part of a property from taxation, so homeowners with an exemption are eligible for
the tax break that exemption provides.
Homeowners do not need to do anything if the type of homestead exemption listed at
the top of the postcard is correct. HCAD will automatically renew their homestead
exemption unless the property owner informs HCAD differently. Exemptions include
Residence Homestead, Over-65, Disabled Person Exemptions and Disabled Veteran
Exemptions.

If the card is returned, HCAD will cancel the homestead exemption and send the owner
a letter asking them to reapply if they believe they are still entitled to the exemption.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for homeowners to get the exemptions they are
entitled to,” said Sands Stiefer, chief appraiser. “If all the information on the top of the
card is correct, the homeowner does not have to do anything. However, if one of the
homeowners has had a 65th birthday or become disabled, they may be eligible for
additional tax exemptions, and if that’s the case, they should contact our office. Similarly,
if they have sold the home or established a different primary residence, they need to
contact us so we can cancel the exemption.”

A change in ownership also includes the death of an owner or the transfer of ownership
through divorce proceedings. If either event has occurred during the year, the survivor or
new owner should contact the appraisal district. Not reporting changes could mean
substantial tax penalty liabilities later on.
Homeowners who have recently turned 65 or have qualified for disability under Social
Security should also contact the appraisal district and apply for the additional exemptions
available to over-65 and totally disabled individuals.
For more information on homestead exemptions, over-65 exemptions, disabled person
exemptions and disabled veteran exemption, call the HCAD Information Center at
713.957.7800, or go to the district’s website at www.hcad.org where you can find
exemption information and applications under the Forms tab on the top tool bar.

About HCAD
The Harris County Appraisal District is a political subdivision of the State of Texas
established in 1980 for the purpose of discovering and appraising property for ad valorem
tax purposes for each taxing unit within the boundaries of the district. The district has
more than 1.7 million parcels of property to assess each year with a total market value of
approximately $526 billion. The appraisal district in Harris County is the largest in Texas,
serving approximately 500 taxing units, and one of the largest appraisal districts in the
United States. For further information, visit www.hcad.org.