If you’ve purchased a primary residence in The Woodlands, Conroe, Montgomery, Magnolia, Willis, Shenandoah, Oak Ridge North, New Caney, Porter or another Montgomery County community, filing your homestead exemption is an important post-closing step.
Your application is handled by the Montgomery Central Appraisal District, or MCAD.
Is Your Home Really in Montgomery County?
Houston-area mailing addresses can get confusing.
The Woodlands, Spring and other communities near county boundaries are good examples of why homeowners should verify the county rather than relying only on the city shown in their mailing address.
If your property is somewhere else in Greater Houston, use my:
Harris County Homestead Exemption Guide
Fort Bend County Homestead Exemption Guide
For DFW homeowners, I also have guides covering:
Dallas County | Tarrant County | Collin County | Denton County
Montgomery County Filing Information
Appraisal District: Montgomery Central Appraisal District
Physical Address: 109 Gladstell, Conroe, TX 77301
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2233, Conroe, TX 77305
Phone: 936-756-3354
Visit Montgomery Central Appraisal District
How Does the Homestead Exemption Work?
For 2026, Texas school districts provide qualifying homeowners with a $140,000 residence homestead exemption.
Other taxing jurisdictions may provide additional exemptions.
Your actual savings therefore depend on the property and its taxing entities.
Who Qualifies?
Generally, you need to:
- Own an interest in the home
- Occupy it
- Use it as your principal residence
- Not claim another residence as your principal homestead
What If You Bought After January 1?
This is important for recent buyers.
Texas law allows qualifying homeowners who make a property their principal residence during the year to potentially receive a prorated general residence homestead exemption.
You don’t automatically need to wait until the following January.
Step 1: Update Your Identification
Make sure your Texas driver’s license or ID reflects your new principal residence.
Step 2: Find Your Property
Search through Montgomery Central Appraisal District and confirm your ownership and property information.
Step 3: Access the MCAD Public Portal
MCAD provides electronic exemption filing through its Public Portal.
Create or access your account and choose the exemption filing option.
Step 4: Choose Your Exemption
Most qualifying homeowners will select the general residence homestead exemption.
Additional exemptions may be available based on:
- Age
- Disability
- Veteran status
- Surviving-spouse eligibility
Step 5: Enter Your Property Information
Provide the requested:
- Owner information
- Property address
- Occupancy information
- Applicable tax year
Step 6: Submit Your Identification
Provide your Texas driver’s license, Texas ID and any other supporting documents requested.
Step 7: Review and Submit
Check everything carefully before submitting.
Keep your confirmation.
When Should You File?
Don’t unnecessarily delay once you:
- Own the home
- Occupy it as your principal residence
- Have the required documentation
Texas permits certain late applications, so homeowners who previously forgot to file should still investigate their options.
Homestead Exemption vs. Homestead Cap
Your exemption removes value from taxation.
Your homestead appraisal limitation restricts certain increases in appraised value once applicable.
Your market value can still rise by more than 10%.
Verify Your Exemption
After MCAD processes your application, check the property account.
Make sure your exemption actually appears.
Buying in Montgomery County or Greater Houston?
Properties around The Woodlands, Conroe, Magnolia, Montgomery, Porter, New Caney and Willis can differ substantially in taxes and special-district assessments.
That can change the real monthly cost of two similarly priced houses.
Before you buy, explore:
How Much House Can I Afford in Texas?
Why Mortgage Pre-Approval Matters
Texas First-Time Home Buyer Programs
For more Texas home-buying, selling and relocation information, visit Kory White Real Estate Group.
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