In November 2025, Texas voters approved Proposition 13 — a constitutional amendment that raised the state's general homestead exemption to $140,000, effective January 1, 2026. Here's what it means for your property tax bill, how it works alongside other exemptions, and what you still need to do to make sure you're not overpaying.
If you've heard about "Texas Proposition 13" and are wondering whether it's related to California's famous 1978 property tax measure — it isn't, beyond sharing a name. Texas Proposition 13 is a 2025 constitutional amendment that increased the state's homestead exemption, giving homeowners a larger deduction from their school district property tax bill starting in 2026.
Texas Proposition 13 is a constitutional amendment, approved by voters in November 2025, that raised the general residence homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 — reducing the amount of a home's value subject to school district property taxes, effective January 1, 2026.
Proposition 13 increased the general homestead exemption by $40,000 — from the previous $100,000 level (set by an earlier 2023 constitutional amendment) to the current $140,000.
General homestead exemption (2023–2025)
General homestead exemption (2026 onward)
A companion measure, Proposition 11, simultaneously raised the additional exemption available to homeowners who are 65 or older or disabled — from $10,000 to $60,000 — bringing their combined total school district exemption to $200,000. Learn more about both amounts in our full guide to Texas property tax exemptions and how much they save.
The homestead exemption doesn't reduce your tax rate — it reduces the taxable value your school district tax rate is applied to. If your home is appraised at $400,000, the $140,000 exemption brings your school district taxable value down to $260,000. Your school district tax rate is then applied only to that reduced amount.
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Home's appraised market value | $400,000 |
| Prop 13 homestead exemption | − $140,000 |
| School district taxable value | $260,000 |
| Approx. school district tax rate | $1.05 per $100 |
| Estimated annual school tax savings vs. no exemption | ~$1,470/yr |
To qualify for the general homestead exemption under Proposition 13, you must own the home and use it as your primary residence as of January 1 of the tax year. You cannot claim a homestead exemption on more than one property.
If you already had a homestead exemption filed before 2026, the increased $140,000 amount applies automatically — no new filing is required. If you've never filed one, this is the moment to do it.
Proposition 13 provides meaningful relief, but it's not the only lever available to reduce your Texas property tax bill. Here's what every homeowner should check:
PropertyTaxes.Law helps Texas homeowners confirm their exemptions are correctly applied and challenge over-appraised assessments on top of the Proposition 13 savings. Attorney-backed, no upfront cost.
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