Texas homestead guide

Paid homestead letters: what they are and what to do

If a mailer wants money to "file your homestead," stop and read this first.

Reviewed · Law checked · Sources

Short answer

You never have to pay anyone to file a Texas homestead exemption; your appraisal district accepts the application for free. Mailers offering a "designation of homestead" for a fee are not exemption applications. The Texas Attorney General warned about these offers after more than 100 complaints. Real appraisal district letters come from the district and never ask for a fee.

What these letters are

Private companies mail official-looking offers to new homeowners to prepare a "designation of homestead" or homestead forms for a fee. One reported example charged $45. The Texas Attorney General issued a consumer alert after receiving more than 100 complaints.

Harris Central Appraisal District explains that a designation of homestead is filed with the county clerk and relates to protecting a home from forced sale for certain debts. It is not a property tax exemption application, and most homeowners never need one. HCAD also warns about firms that offer to recover "unclaimed money" for half of the amount.

How to tell the difference

  • Real: from your county appraisal district, by name, with a phone number that matches the district’s official website, asking you to file or confirm an exemption. No fee.
  • Not the appraisal district: asks for a payment, a check, or a share of your savings to file a free form; uses an official-sounding name not found on the Comptroller’s county directory.

Report a deceptive offer to the Texas Attorney General’s consumer hotline at 800-621-0508 or through texasattorneygeneral.gov.

Where ExemptBack fits

ExemptBack is private self-help software, not a government service and not a filing service. The check is free. It shows what your county record lists, which exemptions and late years you appear to qualify for, and an estimate of the money involved. If you are already covered or the savings are small, the report says not to buy anything. You can always file yourself, free, without us.

Not sure what your record shows? The free check reads your county record with you, applies the rules on this page, and shows any back-year refunds and yearly savings. If you are already covered, it says so.

Run the free 3-minute check

Common questions

Is the homestead exemption letter I got in the mail a scam?

If it asks for a fee to file a homestead exemption or a "designation of homestead," it is not from your appraisal district. Filing the exemption is free. Check the sender against your appraisal district’s official website.

What is a designation of homestead?

A document filed with the county clerk that relates to protecting a home from forced sale for certain debts. It is not a property tax exemption application.

Do I need to pay a company to file my homestead exemption?

No. You can file directly with your appraisal district for free.

Related guides

Sources

  1. AG Paxton Issues Consumer Alert on Misleading Homestead Tax Exemption Offers — Office of the Texas Attorney General
  2. Consumer Alert: HCAD Warns Homeowners to Be Wary of Homestead Designation and Unclaimed Money Solicitations — Harris Central Appraisal District
  3. Some area residents confused by $45 homestead designation offer — KWTX
  4. County Directory (appraisal districts and tax offices) — Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

ExemptBack is private self-help software, not a government service, law firm, or property tax consultant. This guide is general information about Texas law, not legal advice. Your appraisal district decides every application.