In Texas, 100% Disabled Veterans are now eligible to receive the new 100% Homestead Exemption. A qualified 100% Disabled Veteran’s home will be totally exempt from property taxes in all jurisdictions, regardless of the home’s value.
The qualifications for the prior disabled veteran’s exemption differ from the qualifications for this 100% Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption. To qualify for this 100% Homestead Exemption, you must:
- Own a home and occupy it as your homestead residence.
- Be receiving 100% disability compensation from the US Department of Veterans Affairs for a service-connected disability.
- Have a disability rating of 100% disabled or of individual unemployability.
This exemption is not automatically given. To obtain this exemption, you must:
- Complete Form 11.13 by checking the box for 100% Disabled Veterans Exemption and all other boxes which apply to you.
- Attach to completed Form 11.13 a copy of your award letter, a “VA tax letter,” or other document from the US Department of Veterans Affairs which states 100% disability compensation due to a service-connected disability and a rating of 100% disability or of individual unemployability. (You can contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000. Their website is: www.va.gov.)
Following are other limitations and features with regard to the 100% Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption:
- Only a disabled veteran can claim the new 100% homestead exemption. Accordingly, upon your death, the new 100% homestead exemption does not pass to your surviving spouse or children.
- If you owned your home and met the qualifications for the new 100% homestead exemption as of the effective date of January 1, 2010, this exemption will apply for the 2010 tax year forward.
- If you are hospitalized or in a nursing home, you can get the new 100% homestead exemption as long as you intend to return home when you are able.
- If you own your home with your spouse and the home is community property, the new 100% homestead exemption is calculated as if you own 100% of the home. If the home is not community property, the exemption is prorated in proportion to the value of your ownership interest in the home.
- If there is a mortgage on your home, you can still get the new 100% homestead exemption.
- You should apply for the regular homestead exemption and the over-65 homestead exemption, when applicable, in addition to the new 100% homestead exemption, to ensure that you receive the maximum benefits of the regular and over-65 homestead exemptions in the event that your qualifications for the new exemption change.
- Once the new 100% homestead exemption is granted, you do not have to reapply for future tax years unless the chief appraiser sends a written requirement for you to do so.
- While this 100% Disabled Veteran’s Homestead Exemption and the general homestead exemption apply only to your homestead—your principal residence, if you receive the prior disabled veteran’s exemption, you may apply that exemption to your vacation home.
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