Cameron Appraisal District

What exemptions are available?

General Residential Homestead
Over-65, Over-55 Surviving Spouse
Disability Homestead
Disabled Veteran
Cemeteries
Charitable
Religious
Private Schools
Youth Spiritual
Mental and Physical Development Associations
Miscellaneous Associations and some Low Income Housing
Historical Sites
Agricultural Appraisal
Freeport
Pollution Control

Fill out an application and submit to our office.

Download an application from our Forms webpage. Click Here
Pickup an application in our office during business hours
We can mail an application to you; call our office at
(956) 399-9322

Do I apply for a homestead exemption annually?

Only a one-time application is required, unless by written notice, the Chief Appraiser requests the property owner to file a new application
However, a new application is required when a property owner's residence homestead is changed

What type of exemptions require an annual application?

The law requires an annual application by April 30th for some types of exemptions, including:

Property Tax Abatements
Historical and Archeological Sites
Freeport Goods
Pollution Control

Must I notify the Appraisal District if my entitlement to an exemption ends?

A person who receives an exemption that is not required to be claimed annually must notify the Appraisal District in writing before May 1st after the entitlement to the exemption ends.

Is it true that once I am 65 years old, I will not have to pay any more taxes?

No, that is not necessarily true. The amount of the exemptions that are granted by each taxing entity is subtracted from the market value of your residence and the taxes are calculated on that "lower value."

In addition, when you turn 65, you may receive a "tax ceiling" for your total school taxes; that is, the school taxes on your residence cannot increase as long as you own and live in that home.

If you significantly improve your home (other than ordinary repairs and maintenance), tax ceilings can go up. For example, if you add a swimming pool, a garage, a storage building, and a room to your home, or significantly remodel your home, your tax ceiling can rise. It will also change if you move to a new home. The tax ceiling is set at the amount you pay in the year that you qualify for the senior citizen exemption. The county, city or special district may adopt a tax ceiling.

How do I transfer my senior citizen or disabled person tax ceiling?

You may transfer the same percentage of school taxes paid to another qualified homestead in the state. If the county, city or special district grants the limitation, you may transfer the same percentage of taxes paid to another qualified homestead within that same taxing unit.

To transfer the tax ceiling, you must qualify for an Over-65 or Disabled Person exemption at your previous residence and complete the Tax Ceiling Transfer form. A current Homestead Exemption application must also be completed for the new residence. These forms can be downloaded from the Forms section on this site or call our office at (956)-399-9322.

Attach current proof of age or the date your disability began. Acceptable proof of age includes either a copy of the front side of your driver's license or a copy of your birth certificate or any official document reflecting your date of birth.

If I am disabled and over 65, can I claim both exemptions in the same year?

No. You may NOT claim both an Over-65 and Disabled Person exemption in the same tax year.

Will a non-profit organization automatically receive a property tax exemption?

No. Often organizations mistakenly believe they are entitled to a property tax exemption because they have received a federal income tax exemption under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or an exemption from State sales taxes. The constitution requirements for property tax exemptions are different than the provisions covering income and sales taxes.

A non-profit organization may qualify for a total exemption from property taxes, but they must apply by April 30th to the Cameron Appraisal District for the exemption.

Why do I still pay taxes, I don't have any kids in school?

If you own a property, you will pay ad valorem taxes.

In the State of Texas, our public schools are primarily funded by property taxes. The amount of taxes is based on your appraised value, unless you qualify for a tax exemption, which is a tax break or discount that the state mandates the taxing entity to give or the local entity votes or chooses to give.

The exemptions for your primary residence are Homestead, Over-65, Disabled Persons, or 100% Disabled Veteran’s Homestead. Disabled Veteran's Exemption may be applied on any one property the Texas resident owns. All applications require proof of Texas residency for all owners of the property to qualify. (I.e. Driver's license for a licensed driver)

Do both my spouse and I need to apply for homestead exemption?

Yes. Both spouses must apply and both spouses must provide required information. (I.e. copies of driver's license)

My parents are on the deed because of the loan, but they do not live here, can I still get a homestead?

Yes. But only the owner's occupying the residence will qualify. The account will be split out to a UDI. TPTC Section 11.41 Partial ownership of exempt property, only the qualifying owner will receive the exemption and the exemption is multiplied by the percent of ownership.

Exemptions