Tax relief and valuation review
A homestead exemption, senior-relief program, or valuation protest can change the amount a homeowner owes—but only if the filing reaches the right local office in the correct window. Use the verified county guidance below as your working checklist, then confirm the current form and deadline with Austin County Appraisal District.
Relief programs
The filing guidance for this county is: April 30, 2026 for most 2026 exemption and special-appraisal applications; Texas permits late residence-homestead filing up to two years after delinquency in qualifying cases. Use the official form or application channel, provide the residence and ownership documentation requested, and keep a copy of the submission.
Open homestead applicationTexas residence homestead exemption for an owner age 65 or older includes the mandatory school-district exemption (the Comptroller lists $60,000 for 2026) and a school-tax ceiling; qualifying owners may also receive local-option over-65 exemptions or tax ceilings adopted by taxing units. Apply through the county appraisal district.
Texas Tax Code §23.23 limits a qualifying residence homestead's appraised-value increase to the lesser of market value or the prior appraised value plus 10% and new improvements, effective after the owner qualifies; for 2026, §23.231 also provides a temporary 20% circuit-breaker limit for qualifying non-homestead real property valued at $5,320,000 or less, expiring December 31, 2026. The Comptroller's 2026 special-valuation cap rate is 10.00% for agricultural/open-space land and 7.77% for timberland.
Appealing an assessment
Use the valuation notice and the county’s published protest guidance to determine the last day to file. Do not assume the payment deadline controls the appeal.
Gather comparable sales, photographs, repair records, appraisal evidence, property characteristics, and any documentation that explains why the assessed value is incorrect.
Submit through the official channel, save the confirmation, and attend the board or review hearing if one is scheduled. An appraiser or attorney can help evaluate evidence when the value or stakes are substantial.
The verified protest guidance for this county is: For the 2026 tax year, file a written protest by May 15, 2026, or within 30 days after the date the Notice of Appraised Value was delivered, whichever is later; special statutory exceptions may apply. If the language is not a specific calendar date, contact the office promptly for the current notice and board-review schedule.