To file a homestead exemption on a new build in Bexar County, apply with Bexar Central Appraisal District (BCAD) online at bcad.org, or send Form 50-114 by mail or in person. Your Texas driver’s license or ID has to show the new home’s address. Filing is free and you only file once. If the builder didn’t claim a homestead on the property, you can usually get the exemption for the rest of the year you close, even if you closed after January 1.
Brock Bremmer | U.S. Air Force Reserves Veteran | Real Estate Agent | eXp Realty | San Antonio Metro Area
New Construction Specialist
Also see: San Antonio Property Taxes | Why Payments Go Up After a New Build | How to Protest in Bexar County
Who Qualifies for a Homestead Exemption in Bexar County?
BCAD says you qualify when you own the home, it’s your principal residence, and you aren’t claiming a homestead exemption on any other property. If you’re married, only one home between you can be the homestead. Your Texas driver’s license or state ID must list the property address.
Active-duty service members whose license shows another address can provide a copy of their military ID and a utility bill for the property instead. BCAD’s exemption overview extends that option to the spouse of an active-duty member.
Can You File the Same Year You Close on a New Build?
Usually, yes. BCAD says a buyer who acquires a home after January 1 can get the exemption for the rest of the year if the previous owner didn’t receive the same exemption. On a new build, the previous owner is normally the builder, which typically hasn’t claimed a homestead on the property. Confirm with your title company or on BCAD’s property search. Apply as soon as your license or ID shows the new address.
Your first tax bill may be lower than later bills, because the appraisal district may have valued only the lot or a partly built house on January 1. My post on why payments rise after a new build explains the escrow catch-up.
How Do You Apply Step by Step?
- Update your ID. Change your Texas driver’s license or ID to the new address.
- Go to bcad.org. Open Online Services, create a login, find your property, and complete the residence homestead application. Upload your ID, plus your military ID and utility bill if that applies.
- Or use the paper form. Download Comptroller Form 50-114, Application for Residence Homestead Exemption. Mail it or drop it off at Bexar Appraisal District, 411 N. Frio St. in San Antonio. The mailing address is P.O. Box 830248, San Antonio, TX 78283-0248, and the phone number is 210-242-2432.
- Watch for BCAD’s response. Then check the exemption on your property record in BCAD’s online search.
You don’t need to reapply each year unless BCAD asks you to. BCAD doesn’t charge a fee, so ignore mailers offering to file for you for a charge.
What Is the Deadline, and What If You’re Late?
The general deadline is before May 1 of the tax year. Texas Tax Code §11.431 allows a late homestead application up to two years after the date the taxes become delinquent. If you’ve already paid, you can receive a refund once the exemption is approved. Filing promptly is still the simplest path.
How Much Does the Homestead Exemption Save?
Every school district must give a $140,000 homestead exemption (Tax Code §11.13(b)). Cities, counties, and other taxing units may offer up to 20% more, with a minimum of $5,000 when they adopt it. Here’s the school share alone at Bexar County’s official 2026 rates:
| School district | 2026 rate per $100 | School tax saved by the $140,000 exemption |
| Northside ISD | 1.034900 | About $1,449/yr |
| North East ISD | 0.975400 | About $1,366/yr |
| Southside ISD | 1.066000 | About $1,492/yr |
Homeowners 65 or older or with a disability get an extra $60,000 school exemption. Disabled veterans and surviving spouses have separate exemptions, covered in my disabled veteran property tax guide. PID and other special district assessments are separate from these exemptions; see PID, MUD, and SID taxes.
For how taxes change what a home really costs each month, watch Why a $400K Home Can Be CHEAPER Than a $360K Home in San Antonio.
When Does the 10% Appraisal Cap Start?
Under Tax Code §23.23, once you have a homestead, its taxable value can’t rise more than 10% a year, plus the value of any new improvements. The Comptroller explains that the cap starts January 1 of the tax year after the first year you qualify. On a new build, that first full appraisal of the finished home can be a big jump, and the cap won’t limit it. Review your notice each spring and protest if the value looks high. Here’s how to protest in Bexar County.
Buying in Comal, Guadalupe, or Kendall County? The same state rules apply, but you’ll file with that county’s appraisal district instead of BCAD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a homestead exemption right after closing on a new build?
Yes, once your Texas driver’s license or ID shows the new address. BCAD allows a buyer who acquires a home after January 1 to get the exemption for the rest of that year if the previous owner, usually the builder, didn’t receive it.
Do I have to reapply for the homestead exemption every year in Bexar County?
No. BCAD says you don’t need to reapply each year unless the district asks you to. Filing is free. Let BCAD know if you move or the home stops being your principal residence.
Have Questions About Taxes on a New Build?
Brock Bremmer with eXp Realty is a U.S. Air Force Reserves veteran with 120+ homes sold across the San Antonio metro and an eXp ICON agent (2023–24). He helps buyers compare tax rates, special districts, and builder incentives before they choose a community in San Antonio, New Braunfels, or Boerne.
- 📞 Call or text: 210-501-5088
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Also see: San Antonio Property Taxes | VA Loans on New Construction | Quick Move-In vs. Build
Sources: BCAD, Homestead Exemption: How to Apply; BCAD, Property Tax Exemptions Overview; Texas Comptroller, Property Tax Exemptions; Texas Comptroller, Appraisal and Tax Limitations; Comptroller Form 50-114; Texas Tax Code §11.431; Bexar County, 2026 Official Tax Rates & Exemptions (accessed November 3, 2026).