How much is the over-65 exemption in Texas?

Homeowners 65 and older (or disabled) receive an additional $60,000 school district homestead exemption on top of the $140,000 general homestead exemption, for $200,000 exempt from school taxes as of 2025. Many cities, counties, and special districts grant their own additional over-65 exemptions as well. This calculator applies the $140,000 plus $60,000 school exemption.

Can my Texas school taxes go up after I turn 65?

Generally no. Once the over-65 school-tax ceiling is set, your school taxes cannot rise above that frozen amount, even when appraised values climb, unless you make significant improvements to the home (a new room or pool, not ordinary repairs). Non-school taxes such as city and county taxes can still change unless those units also adopted an over-65 ceiling.

Does the over-65 ceiling transfer if I move?

The dollar amount does not transfer, but the percentage of tax reduction does. If your ceiling saved you a certain percentage of school taxes, you can transfer that same percentage to a new Texas homestead by requesting a tax ceiling certificate from your former appraisal district. This calculator estimates the current ceiling amount, not the transferred percentage.

Texas Over-65 Property Tax Calculator

If you are 65 or older (or disabled) and own your Texas home, you qualify for a larger homestead exemption and a school-tax ceiling that freezes your school taxes. Enter your home's value for Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, or Travis County to estimate your annual tax with the over-65 exemptions and see your school-tax ceiling amount.

Estimate Your Over-65 Property Tax

County

Home value (appraised value) (from your appraisal notice or tax bill)

Enter the appraised value. If you are 65 or older with a homestead, your school taxes are frozen at the year you qualified, so your school portion may already be lower than a fresh calculation.

Estimated Result

estimated annual property tax with over-65 exemptions

School tax (your ceiling)

Non-school taxes

Over-65 savings vs standard homestead

Taxing unit	Rate /$100	Est. tax
Total

Estimate only. Applies the $140,000 homestead plus $60,000 over-65 school exemption. The school tax shown becomes your ceiling in the year you qualify and is frozen going forward; a fresh calculation in later years may overstate your actual school tax. Local city/county over-65 exemptions and ceilings vary and are not included. Verify with your county appraisal district.

The Over-65 Exemption and School-Tax Ceiling

Texas gives homeowners 65 and older (and disabled homeowners) two major benefits on their residence homestead:

A larger school exemption. On top of the $140,000 general homestead exemption, over-65 and disabled owners get an additional $60,000 school district exemption, so $200,000 of value is exempt from school taxes.
A school-tax ceiling (freeze). In the year you turn 65 and have the exemption, your school district tax amount is frozen. Even as your home's value or the school tax rate rises in later years, your school taxes cannot exceed that ceiling, unless you significantly improve the home.

The school district is usually the largest single piece of a Texas tax bill (often 45% to 55%), so freezing it is a substantial, permanent benefit. Many cities, counties, and special districts also offer their own over-65 exemptions and, in some cases, their own ceilings.

Transferring your ceiling

If you move to another Texas home, the dollar amount of your ceiling does not carry over, but the percentage of school tax reduction does. Request a tax ceiling certificate from your former appraisal district and apply it to your new homestead. This calculator estimates your current ceiling amount, not the transferred percentage.

Official Sources

Texas Comptroller - Age 65 or Older or Disabled Exemptions comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/exemptions
Texas Tax Code § 11.26 - Limitation of school tax on homesteads of the elderly or disabled statutes.capitol.texas.gov - Tax Code Ch. 11
Taxing-unit rates: each county's current adopted rates Harris County, Dallas County, Tarrant County

Exemption amounts reflect Texas law as of 2025 (including the increased over-65 school exemption). Verify current amounts and your ceiling with your county appraisal district. This tool provides estimates only and is not tax advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the over-65 school tax ceiling in Texas?

When you turn 65 and have a residence homestead exemption, your school district taxes are frozen at the amount charged in the year you qualified. Even if your value or the school rate rises, the school portion cannot exceed that ceiling unless you significantly improve the home. Some cities and counties offer an over-65 ceiling too.

How much is the over-65 exemption?

Owners 65+ or disabled receive an additional $60,000 school homestead exemption on top of the $140,000 general homestead exemption, for $200,000 exempt from school taxes as of 2025. Many local taxing units grant their own additional over-65 exemptions. This calculator applies the $140,000 plus $60,000 school exemption.

Can my school taxes go up after I turn 65?

Generally no. Once the ceiling is set, your school taxes cannot rise above it, even as values climb, unless you make significant improvements (a new room or pool, not ordinary repairs). Non-school taxes such as city and county taxes can still change unless those units also adopted an over-65 ceiling.

Does the ceiling transfer if I move?

The dollar amount does not transfer, but the percentage of reduction does. Request a tax ceiling certificate from your former appraisal district and apply the same percentage to your new Texas homestead.