If you’ve purchased a primary residence in Denton, Lewisville, Flower Mound, The Colony, Little Elm, Aubrey, Argyle, Justin, Roanoke, Trophy Club, Highland Village or another Denton County community, don’t overlook your residence homestead exemption.
The filing is free and handled by the Denton Central Appraisal District.
First, Confirm Your County
This is particularly important in the DFW area.
For example, Lewisville extends into multiple counties. The Colony is in Denton County, while nearby communities may fall under Collin County.
If you discover you’re in another county, use my:
Moving to North Texas instead?
See the Dallas County, Tarrant County, Collin County and Denton County guides.
Denton County Filing Information
Appraisal District: Denton Central Appraisal District
Address: 3911 Morse Street, Denton, TX 76208
Phone: 940-349-3800
Visit Denton Central Appraisal District
File a Denton County Exemption Online
What Does the Exemption Do?
Texas school districts provide qualifying homeowners with a $140,000 general residence homestead exemption for 2026.
The exemption reduces taxable value rather than changing the market value assigned to the property.
Who Qualifies?
Generally, you must:
- Own an interest in the property
- Occupy the home as your primary residence
- Meet applicable Texas eligibility requirements
- Not claim another principal residence homestead
Step 1: Update Your Texas ID
Make sure your driver’s license or Texas ID reflects the property address.
Step 2: Locate Your Property
Use Denton CAD’s property search to verify the property and owner information.
Step 3: Open the Online Application
Denton CAD allows online exemption filing.
Select the residence homestead application and follow the prompts.
Step 4: Select Your Exemption
Possible exemptions include:
- General Residence Homestead
- Age 65 or Older
- Disabled Person
- Disabled Veteran
- Certain surviving-spouse exemptions
Step 5: Enter Your Information
Provide accurate:
- Ownership information
- Property address
- Occupancy information
- Tax year
- Identification information
Step 6: Upload Supporting Documents
Include the identification and documentation requested for your specific exemption.
Step 7: Submit and Save Your Confirmation
Keep proof of your application.
What If You Bought During the Year?
You may be eligible for a prorated exemption.
Qualifying Texas homeowners no longer necessarily have to wait until the following January to receive the general residence homestead exemption.
What If You Missed the Deadline?
Late filing may still be available.
If you’ve owned your home and never filed, contact Denton CAD rather than assuming you’ve lost your opportunity.
Check Your Property After Filing
Once the application is processed, return to your property record and confirm that the exemption appears.
Understanding What Your Home Really Costs
Property taxes are one reason I encourage buyers to evaluate homes based on the total payment, not just sales price.
If you’re buying in Denton County, read:
How Much House Can I Afford in Texas?
If financing is your next step:
Why Mortgage Pre-Approval Matters
And if you’re comparing FHA, VA, conventional or other financing:
Compare the Different Types of Mortgage Loans
For more buying, selling, relocation and Texas homeowner resources, visit Kory White Real Estate Group.
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