09/30/2024
Homestead Audit
During the 88th regular session, the Texas legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 1801, effective September 1, 2023, which requires all Texas Appraisal Districts to develop a program for periodic review of each residence homestead granted under Texas Property Tax Code Section 11.13. The bill requires that all residence homesteads are verified at least every 5 years to confirm the recipient of the exemptions still qualify.
In order to be compliant with this new statute, the Van Zandt County Appraisal District will be mailing new Homestead Applications in batches annually. Each year’s batch is selected based on various criteria including the previous application submission dates and types of homesteads granted. There are over 16,000 homesteads within Van Zandt County. For the 2025 Tax Year, Van Zandt County Appraisal District recently mailed approximately 6,000 Homestead Applications that must be completed and returned. For any applications not returned to the Appraisal District, the property owner will receive a letter notifying them of the removal of the exemption thus giving them an opportunity to submit an application.
What should you do if you have received a new application:
1. General or Over 65 Homestead: If you received a new application and feel that you do qualify for the exemption, please complete the form and return it with a copy of your valid Texas Driver’s License or Texas State ID. The address of the property must match the address listed on the state ID.
2. Disabled Homestead: If you or your spouse are not over the age of 65 and qualify for a disability through Social Security, a current dated verification letter stating the date that the disability began will need to be submitted along with the completed homestead application.
3. VA 100% Disabled Not Total and Permanent: If you or your spouse qualify for 100% disability through the VA, not total and permanent, a current dated verification letter stating the disability rating will need to be submitted along with the completed homestead application.
If you have not received a mailed application, please review the Notice of Appraised Value that will be mailed in April to confirm the previously granted homestead exemption is reflected on the account.
What you should not do: Panic. If you missed the filing deadline, please complete an application as soon as possible. There are no late fees for filing a homestead application; however, the law only allows a homestead exemption to be granted for the previous 2 years on a late application.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or come by our office. Our team will gladly walk you through the application and answer any questions that you might have.
Please note that there are services that will file a homestead application for a fee. The Appraisal District provides this service for free, please come see us.
