Are you a new homeowner or new to Texas? With so much to do upon buying a new home, it is easy to overlook some vital steps. This checklist contains a variety of items often missed because new homeowners are unfamiliar with Texas property tax laws. Please visit other articles in our knowledge base for answers to many of your questions about appraisal and exemptions.

• Update your current driver license to a Texas driver license that reflects the new property address.  You can visit https://www.dps.texas.gov/ for more information.
• Check your property information on WCAD.org, Property Search for ownership updates.
• Once ownership is updated on our webpage:

• Confirm name
• Confirm mailing address
• Review the structures and improvements for your property for accuracy

• Property owners should advise WCAD if their property is not listed correctly on local tax records and provide the correct name, current address, and property description. This is especially important to remember in the event of death, divorce and other events that may trigger change in ownership. Updated ownership information may be submitted via https://zforms.wcad.org/williamsoncentralappraisaldist/form/NameSitusUpdate1/formperma/DSZ_xv7Ao-nejL2-iDpC81klaMC2wPX7nU-OJx6CzMw and updated mailing address information via https://www.wcad.org/update-contact-information/
• Visit https://support.wcad.org/portal/kb/articles/tips to learn about available property tax exemptions. (Please keep in mind the General Residence Homestead, Person Age 65 or Older, Surviving Spouse of Individual Who Qualified for Age 65 or Older Exemption, 100 Percent Disabled Veteran, Surviving Spouse of Disabled Veteran 100%, and Disabled Person are all located on Form 50-114.) 
  
• As the new property owner, you do not have to wait until January 1 to apply for your General Residence Homestead exemption or other exemptions. Once your TXDL has been updated or obtained, you can begin the application process. https://www.wcad.org/online-exemption-information/

Please see the information and links below regarding property tax exemptions. 

• Residence Homestead Exemption (Form 50-114) Here you will find useful information regarding the Residence Homestead Exemption. https://support.wcad.org/portal/en/kb/articles/homestead-application-form-50-114 Use the provided link to apply electronically for faster filing.

• Person Age 65 or Older Exemption or Surviving Spouse Use the link provided to apply electronically for faster filing. https://support.wcad.org/portal/en/kb/articles/over-65-exemption-20-4-2021

• If you were receiving this exemption on another property in Texas, have you requested a Tax Ceiling Transfer Certificate from that county? 


• Disabled Person Exemption or Surviving Spouse Use the link provided to apply electronically for faster filing. https://support.wcad.org/portal/en/kb/articles/disabled-person-homestead-application-form-50-114
• If you were receiving this exemption on another property in Texas, have you requested a Tax Ceiling Transfer Certificate from that county?  


• 100% Disabled Veteran Exemption Use the link provided to apply electronically for faster filing. https://support.wcad.org/portal/en/kb/articles/100-disabled-veteran-exemption
• If you are the Surviving Spouse of a veteran who qualified for the 100% Disabled Veteran exemption on another property in Texas, have you requested a Tax Ceiling Transfer Certificate from that county? https://zfrmz.com/L8MMMa3YDUdSTA4UE3Bm
• Disabled Veteran or Surviving Spouse with a 10%-90% VA disability rating exemption (Form 50-135) https://forms.wcad.org/#/a/form/DisabledVet/new or https://www.wcad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DV50-135.pdf

• Confidentiality of your information? (Form 50-284) https://comptroller.texas.gov/forms/50-284.pdf
• Request electronic delivery of notices sent by our office. https://www.wcad.org/request-to-receive-electronic-communication/
• Notify our office if you run a business out of your home. https://www.wcad.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/50-144-BPP-Rendition-2024.pdf and https://www.wcad.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/RenditionHowTo.pdf for instructions on ‘How To’ fill out the Rendition form.

• Add these important dates to your annual calendar:

• April 15 – Last day for business property owners to file renditions or request an extension to May 15.
• April 30 – Optional early deadline for filing protests to the Appraisal Review Board for residence homesteads; however, protests may be filed without penalty until May 15, or within 30 days of the date a notice of appraised value is mailed to the property owner.

• Last day to apply for many types of exemptions, such as Solar exemption.
• Last day to apply for agricultural or wildlife productivity appraisal.

• May 15 – Deadline for filing protests to the Appraisal Review Board (or by the 30^th day after a notice of appraised value is mailed to the property owner, whichever is later).
• October – Tax bills are usually mailed during this month.
• January 31 of following year– Last day to pay property taxes without penalty and interest.

**If a deadline falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the last day to file is automatically extended to the next business day.**

• Review our website videos https://www.wcad.org/webcast-videos/
• Save your closing paperwork in a safe place, especially your survey, deed, and Sale Settlement Statement for future reference.