I'm filling out the HE form for Harris County and have a couple of questions.

What is the box about "check if you seek to transfer a tax limitation from your previous residence homestead as provided by Tax Code Section 11.26(h) or 11.261(h)" about? I purchased the current house in February 2013 and didn't sell my old house until April 2013. A friend told me I might be due a refund on my 2013 Harris County taxes because of this. Is it true that they will go back and prorate? If so, does checking this box have anything to do with that?

Also, I have to attach a copy of my drivers license. Unfortunately, the zip code on my DL is one digit off (street address is correct). Is this going to cause problems? Should I get it corrected before sending in my application?

I just went ahead and did a change of address on the DL (forgot I could do that online). But, an answer about whether or not to check the box would be helpful.

[This message has been edited by TXTransplant (edited 1/7/2014 7:57a).]

Fix the DL before sending in. The box is because you cannot have two homestead exemptions. If after January 1, 2013, you:
1. moved
2. did not sell the old property
3. had an exemption on the old property

then you have to indicate that the old property will be fully taxed now. You're moving the exemption.

I just went through this with Kendall County. All I can say is make sure EVERYTHING is exactly right or you will spend months snail mailing back and forth. There were no efficiencies in the system to which I was subjected.

Well, according to the lady at HCAD (who, surprisingly, was very nice) that particular check box only applies to people 65 and above. The form doesn't really make that clear, but I guess I have to trust her. It also seems like there is no option for any proration of my 2013 taxes (it was a slim hope, anyway).

I just got this form in the mail yesterday. I am a first time owner. Can someone explain what exactly this is? In Victoria wife and I are 25. Thanks

Homestead exemption gives you the ability to get a tax break by declaring that the home that you own is your primary residence (there are other exemptions for being over 65, disabled, etc, but I'm assuming those don't apply to you).

If you declare HE, the taxable value of your home will likely be lowered by 15-20% (In Harris County it is 20%, but I don't think that percentage is the same in all counties). So, in Harris County, if your home is assessed at $100,000, you would only be taxed on $80,000. Bottom line is, HE decreases the amount of property taxes you owe because it removes part of the value of your property from taxation.

That should only concern you if you or your spouse is over 65

When a person qualifies for an over 65 exemption an additional $10,000 is added to the $15,000. On other thing the o65 exemption does is put a tax ceiling on your school taxes. When you move you can then port your savings over to your new home

The exemption decreases the value of your home by $15k for purposes of collecting school tax only. It does not decrease it by a percentage.

So if you claim the exemption you will save $15k x school tax rate in your area. I'm in Boerne and this amounts to roughly $200.

Oh hell, Harris does have a percentage Homestead for calculating county taxes. Learned something.

http://www.hcad.org/Resources/Exemptions/Homeowners.asp

Yes, the box in question only applies to o65 transfer.

I'd make sure DL and actual address match up identically, otherwise they'll deny and/or request more information.

In Harris county, it's a straight 20%, schools give an extra $15K I believe. (I'm a tax agent - but I don't deal with this side of it too much, that's somebody else's job and I've got better things to deal with)

Feel free to shoot me an email if anybody has any questions or concerns.

Thook13@hotmail.com