San Antonio homeowners may qualify for a general homestead exemption and additional age, disability, or veteran benefits. Apply to the appraisal district where the property is located; for Bexar County, that is BCAD. In 2026, the school district general homestead exemption is $140,000, with an additional $60,000 for qualifying age-65 or disabled-person homeowners. These are taxable-value reductions, not refund amounts.
This guide helps you choose the right application path. If you want the step-by-step form and status instructions, use our Bexar County homestead application guide.
Key Takeaways
- BCAD decides eligibility. Filing directly with the district is free.
- An existing general homestead does not tell you whether every additional benefit is recorded.
- Age-65 and disabled-person additions cannot both be claimed from the same taxing unit in the same year.
- A partial VA disability exemption is different from the total disabled-veteran residence homestead exemption.
- Your property's actual taxing units and approved benefits determine your savings. There is no single countywide refund amount.
Decision guide
Source: Texas Comptroller property tax exemption categories and forms. Forms alone do not establish qualification.
The general homestead exemption
The home must be your principal residence and you must have an ownership interest. You cannot claim another residence homestead exemption in or outside Texas. A home acquired after January 1 may qualify for part of the year if the prior owner did not receive the same exemption for that year.
The 2026 school district exemption removes $140,000 of taxable value. City, county, and other local taxing units can have different exemptions. Do not add deductions from different taxing units and describe the result as one exemption against the house.
Check general homestead eligibility, or follow BCAD's free filing instructions.
Over-65 and disabled person exemptions
Qualified homeowners may receive an additional $60,000 school district exemption for age 65 or older or disability. Together with the general exemption, that can remove $200,000 from school taxable value before other applicable adjustments. It does not mean a $200,000 tax refund, and it is not the tax ceiling itself.
A disabled-person claim uses the disability definition for Social Security disability insurance benefits. Receiving benefits under another program does not automatically qualify you. BCAD may require supporting documentation. Age-65 and disabled-person additions cannot both be received from the same taxing unit in the same year. Comptroller guidance.
The tax freeze
The school tax ceiling is a separate protection from the taxable-value exemption. It can limit qualifying school taxes under statutory rules, with adjustments and exceptions such as new improvements. It does not freeze market value or necessarily freeze every line of the tax bill. Ask BCAD about an existing ceiling and any certificate needed when moving to another homestead.
Choose the age-65 filing path or the disabled-person filing path. Transfers and prior-year requests receive individual review through our service.
Disabled veteran exemptions
Partial exemption (Tax Code §11.22)
A qualifying veteran's service-connected disability rating determines a partial exemption on one property the veteran owns. It does not have to be the residence homestead.
Special qualifying conditions, including some age or disability circumstances, can affect the amount. Use Form 50-135 for a Section 11.22 claim. See the Comptroller's disabled-veteran FAQ.
100% disabled veteran total exemption (Tax Code §11.131)
A qualifying veteran receiving 100% disability compensation with a 100% rating or a determination of individual unemployability may receive a total exemption on the residence homestead. This does not automatically exempt every property the veteran owns. VA documentation and the homestead requirements matter. See the 100% disabled-veteran FAQ.
Our guided packet flow currently supports VA-confirmed 100% permanent-and-total homestead cases. Partial ratings, individual unemployability, other 100% ratings, surviving-spouse claims, and prior years receive individual review before payment. This is how our service handles the paperwork, not a statement that other qualifying veterans are ineligible. Check veteran filing options.
Surviving spouse exemptions
A surviving spouse may qualify under age-based, disabled-veteran, military line-of-duty, or other specific provisions. Age, remarriage, the deceased spouse's qualification, and continued use of the home can matter. Do not apply one spouse rule to every exemption. Gather the existing exemption record and request an individual review. Comptroller exemption overview.
Solar panels, agricultural land, and other exemptions
Solar or wind-powered energy devices can qualify under Section 11.27, using Form 50-123. Agricultural or wildlife appraisal is a different valuation process with its own use and qualification requirements. These are outside our standard $49 residence-homestead packet flow. Contact BCAD about the correct application for these properties rather than selecting a homestead category to approximate the request.
How to file with BCAD
Where to apply
Start at BCAD and select Online Services, or use the district's instructions to submit the correct form and supporting documents. For a general homestead application, download Form 50-114. For a partial disabled-veteran claim, use Form 50-135.
Required documents
Prepare identification, the property account, ownership and occupancy dates, and the proof specific to your exemption. The ID address generally must match the home, with exceptions described in BCAD's guidance. Keep copies and your submission confirmation. Respond to a request for more information before any deadline stated in the notice.
Deadlines and late filing
The general application deadline is April 30. Late-filing provisions differ by exemption. The Comptroller states that qualifying Section 11.22 and 100% disabled-veteran claims can have a five-year window after the taxes' delinquency date; the general homestead rule is different. Qualification dates and the relevant tax year must be checked before estimating a refund.
The homestead guide explains the general late-filing distinction. Our service reviews prior years individually before charging.
Free filing or help with the paperwork
You can apply directly to BCAD for $0. Our optional $49 one-time service covers preparation, filing, and tracking for supported residence-homestead applications after a readiness check. You can save progress, upload supporting proof, and sign electronically. We review the packet before submitting it; BCAD decides the exemption.
Start with your property or request a callback from Gabriel. You do not need to purchase help just to check the initial property record.
Common questions
Can I get an over-65 exemption if I already have a homestead exemption?
Yes, if you qualify and the age-based benefit is not already on file. Check the additional exemption separately from the general homestead entry.
Does a 70% VA rating remove all property taxes?
A 70% rating by itself does not establish the total residence homestead exemption. It generally falls within the partial exemption schedule. The total exemption has separate compensation, rating or individual-unemployability, and homestead requirements.
Are exemption applications and tax protests the same thing?
No. An exemption concerns qualification for a tax benefit. A value protest challenges the property's appraisal or another protestable action. A closed protest signup season does not mean all exemption filing options are closed.
Is the $49 a BCAD fee?
No. BCAD filing is free. The $49 pays Alamo Tax Defense for optional application preparation, filing, and tracking after review of a supported case.
Sources checked September 8, 2026. Alamo Tax Defense is independent of BCAD and government agencies. About Gabriel Esparza.