Harris Central Appraisal District: Disabled Veteran Exemptions

The exemptions are the State's; the Texas entries explain them. The Harris Central Appraisal District decides them for property in Harris County. Partial exemption (HCAD form 11.22). The district asks for VA or service-branch documents showing a service-connected rating of at least 10%, and proof of marriage or age where it applies. Its page correctly says the exemption can go on any one property owned on January 1, a home or not. Where its chart is wrong. The district's chart lists "Surviving spouse or children of a deceased disabled veteran" at $5,000. Tax Code 11.22 gives the unmarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran the same amount the veteran was entitled to at death, up to $12,000, and splits it among unmarried children under 18 only where there is no spouse; the $5,000 figure in the statute is for the survivors of a member who died on active duty. A surviving spouse offered $5,000 should cite section 11.22 and the veteran's rating at death. 100% homestead (HCAD form 11.13). File the homestead application with the 100% Disabled Veterans box checked, a current VA award letter or "VA tax letter" showing 100% compensation for a service-connected disability and a rating of 100% or individual unemployability, and a copy of a Texas driver licence or ID. It is not added automatically to an existing homestead exemption. Once granted it need not be renewed unless the chief appraiser asks in writing, but the veteran must tell the district in writing if VA reduces either rating. A home owned as community property is treated as wholly the veteran's; otherwise the exemption follows the veteran's share. The district suggests keeping the general and over-65 homestead exemptions on file too, and moving the $12,000 partial exemption to another property such as a vacation home. The district's question-and-answer page on the 100% exemption was written for the 2011 and 2012 tax years and still frames it as new. Check the current forms and the statute, including the 2025 surviving spouse exemption described in the Texas entries, before relying on it. The district is at 13013 Northwest Freeway, Houston, and its information centre is 713-957-7800.