Texas veterans with 100% disability compensation eligible for 100% property tax exemption

House Bill 3613 was passed into law during the 81^st Legislative Session this spring. Now, the procedures for obtaining this entitlement are now final – Texas veterans that receive 100% disability compensation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs are now eligible for 100% property tax exemption on their residential homestead property. No other property under your ownership is eligible for this exemption.

Texas veterans meeting these criteria are now allowed to apply for and receive the 100% exemption on local property tax levied by cities, schools, and counties.

On 23 June, appraisal districts across Texas received the long awaited guidance and procedures on the administration process of this exemption for those eligible recipients. This is what is required of the property owner in order to obtain the exemption under this House bill:

The State Comptroller of Public Accounts has approved a “Temporary Application Form” so that eligible persons may apply for the 100% exemption as directed by the legislature. A copy of this form may be obtained at the Appraisal District Offices, or on-line at the State Comptroller Website address: http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/forms/vetexempt.pdf.
The applicant will enclose with the completed application form, a copy of their VA Disability Award Letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs showing the 100% service connected disability.
A Xerox copy of the applicant’s driver’s license or state issued ID card which will be used to verify residency, and the address in which the exemption will apply, will be affixed to the application.

Eligible applicants should visit the appraisal district office with their VA Award letter and drivers license/ID to receive assistance in filing for this. Providing the exemption to current residential homestead property will take less than 5 minutes to complete and process. Due to the urgent need to get these approved for applicants, the appraisal district will be processing applications for walk in customers as they arrive until certification of the Appraisal Roll, 15 July.

Many of these applicants have mortgages with a property tax escrow. Approval of this 100% exemption could lower their monthly mortgage payments. Naturally, applicants may also apply by mail, and those will be processed as received as with any other application.

As always, if you have questions regarding this information, you may contact the Fannin County Appraisal District Office at (903)583-8701.

Charles M. Shannon,

Chief Appraiser,

Fannin County Appraisal District