You may apply for the homestead exemption at the Orange County Appraisal District between January 1st and April 30th of each tax year. State law also provides for the filing of late application. Contact our office for more information.
State law allows you to claim the portion of your land maintained for residential purposes not to exceed 20 acres.
In order to qualify for this exemption, the property must be your principal residence and you may not claim another homestead on any other property.
You qualify for the Senior Citizen exemption on your 65th birthday. This exemption is in addition to the General Homestead exemption.
In order to qualify for this exemption, you must meet the same qualifications as required for the General Homestead exemption as well as provide proof that you are 65 years old or older. A driver’s license or birth certificate is adequate for this purpose.
State law requires that once you qualify and are granted the Senior Citizen exemption, a ceiling or “freeze” will be established. The ceiling will apply for the school district and County only unless your property is located within a city which has voted to allow the ceiling. Once the ceiling (freeze) is established, your tax will remain the same for the remainder of the time you live at that particular home unless significant structure changes are made.
Yes. The Appraisal District is required by law to determine the current market value of all properties. However, your tax ceiling (freeze) will limit any increases in school, County, and city (if applicable) that you pay. Taxes to other taxing entities may increase if your valuation increases.
No. Only one of you need to be over 65 years of age to qualify for this exemption. Once this exemption is granted, if the qualifying spouse should die, then the exemption would remain in effect if the surviving spouse is 55 years old or older and has ownership in the property. The ceiling (freeze) remains in effect for as long as the spouse lives in the home. The surviving spouse needs to contact our office in order to continue receiving the exemption.
A homeowner, age 65 or older, may defer or postpone paying any delinquent property taxes on their home as long as they own and occupy the property. To postpone your tax payments, you must file a tax deferral affidavit with the Appraisal District. A tax deferral only postpones paying your taxes, it DOES NOT cancel them. Interest is added at the rate of 8% per year. Once your home ceases to be your homestead, past taxes and interest become due.
Yes. If you are over 65 years of age, you may pay your taxes in four equal payments. Contact the County Tax Office for details.
A disability exemption is in addition to your homestead exemption. To qualify, you must receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration.
A letter from the Social Security Administration indicating disability benefits. Other documentation may be acceptable if meeting the requirements of the tax code. The Appraisal District office can answer any questions as to what evidence will qualify.
No. You must meet requirements for disability under the federal Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program which is administered by the Social Security Administration.
The Orange County Appraisal District reviews all properties annually. We review current sales to determine whether the values need to be adjusted.
The Texas Property Tax Code defines “Market Value” as “the price at which a property would transfer for cash or its equivalent under prevailing market conditions if: a) exposed for sale in the open market with a reasonable time for the seller to find a purchaser; b) both the seller and the purchaser know of all the uses and purposes to which the property is adapted and for which it is capable of being used and of the enforceable restrictions on its use;and c) both the seller and purchaser seek to maximize their gains and neither is in a position to take advantage of the exigencies of the other.
A property is taxable if it is located within a taxing entity on or before January 1 of a given year.
“Improvement” is the term used to describe any structure attached to the property. It does not necessarily mean that the structure has changed in any way.
Yes. An appraiser looks at all properties each year. Due to time restraints, they cannot look at the interior of the properties.
Yes. Age, size, condition and quality of construction are all considered in each appraisal.
The structure is measured, classified for quality of construction, and depreciated based on its condition. Schedules based on current sales are applied to arrive at a value of the structures. The land value is then added to arrive at the total value.
The general homestead exemption is provided by state law for owner-occupied residential properties. The exemption removes a portion of your property value from taxation resulting in a lower tax amount.
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The data that is being presented on this website is public record and available under laws governing the public’s right to access public information. We cannot selectively remove or withhold this information.
This site only displays the information provided by the appraisal district. You will need to contact the appraisal district and inform them of the wrong information. Each appraisal district has their own procedure for reporting changes.