COMMISSIONERS COURT ADOPTS TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR 2009

County Judge

Fort Bend County, TX

Robert E. Hebert

Fort Bend County Judge

  Phone (281) 341-8608 

OR (281)238-3462

www.fortbendcountynews.info

For Immediate Release

COMMISSIONERS COURT ADOPTS TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR 2009 

FORT BEND COUNTY, TX- Fort Bend County Commissioners Court adopted a local option property tax exemption for the 2009 tax year at the June 2, 2009 Commissioners Court meeting.  The court granted the following:

Homestead Exemption:                   $5000 OR 20%, whichever is greater; AND

Over age 65 Exemption:                  $100,000; OR

Disabled Person Exemption:           $100,000

Property tax exemptions are a simple way to reduce property taxes. An exemption removes part of the value of property from taxation and thus lowers your tax bill. For example, if your home is valued at $200,000 and you qualify for a $40,000 homestead exemption(20%), you pay taxes on your home as if it were worth $160,000.   In addition, if you are over the age of 65 or disabled, you qualify for an additional $100,000 exemption. 

To qualify for a general homestead exemption, you must own your home on January 1. You can qualify for the over-65 or disabled homeowner exemptions as soon as you turn 65 or become disabled, as long as you own the home and live in it as your principal residence.

If you are interested in learning about the basics of property taxes, visit the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Website at www.window.state.tx.us. In addition, this website provides the appropriate forms that you can print and submit to your local appraisal district for the local option exemptions.  

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