Great news! As of January 1st, 2022, you will be allowed to file and take advantage of your homestead exemption as soon as you close on your new home, and change your drivers license to reflect your primary residence as your newly purchased home here in Texas. In previous years, homeowners had to wait until the following year to file for the exemption. A homestead exemption helps you save on taxes on your home. An exemption removes part of the value of your property from taxation and lowers your taxes. Harris County provides a 20% optional homestead exemption to homeowners within the area. If your home is valued at $200,000, the exemption will reduce its taxable value by $40,000 bringing it down to $160,000. To qualify, the homeowner must be an individual (not a business) and use the home as their principle residence, and have an updated drivers license with the address of their new primary residence. The process is as simple as completing the form online or filling out one of the attached applications and mailing/dropping it to the nearest appraisal district office. You will find the following links and/or applications below.