Texas Homeowners Are Poised to Receive Tax Relief

Texas homeowners are about to receive significant property tax relief after the Texas House unanimously advanced two key Senate bills aimed at increasing homestead exemptions for millions of residents.

Senate Bill 4 and Senate Bill 23, authored by state Senator Paul Bettencourt (R) back Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’s (R) plan to chip away at school property taxes, the largest share of most homeowners’ tax bills.

Senate Bill 4 would increase Texas’ general homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, reducing the taxable value of owner-occupied homes for public school taxes. Senate Bill 23 proposes an even larger increase for homeowners over 65 or those with disabilities, from $10,000 to $60,000, on top of the general exemption. Combined, the bills would give seniors a total exemption of $200,000.

“When the Governor signs these bills passed today into law, seniors will have a $200,000 homestead exemption,” said Lt. Governor Patrick on social media after the vote. “A $200,000 homestead exemption virtually wipes out all school property taxes for the average Texas senior homeowner for the rest of their lives.”

Lt. Governor Patrick has long made property tax reform a cornerstone of his political agenda. “Out-of-control property taxes were the reason I ran for Senate in 2006 and for Lt. Governor in 2014,” he said. “I made this promise to voters many years ago. I kept my promise.”

If signed into law, the increased exemptions would mark the fourth hike under Lt. Governor Patrick’s leadership.

When he assumed office in 2015, the exemption stood at just $15,000. It has since grown steadily to $25,000 in 2015, $40,000 in 2021, $100,000 in 2023, and now potentially $140,000 for most homeowners.

“These bills are a gigantic step toward eliminating school property taxes for millions of Texans,” he shared, thanking Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) for early and consistent support.

Lt. Governor Patrick has made it a priority to provide property tax relief to Texans, and the support for the bills shows a step forward in his agenda.