Exemption
A reduction you qualify for by status — and often have to claim yourself.
Exemptions reduce the taxable value of a home for owners who meet a condition: living there, age, veteran status, disability, and others depending on the state.
They are frequently not automatic. A homeowner can be entitled to an exemption for years and never receive it because nobody applied. Checking which ones you qualify for is often worth more than an appeal, and takes less work.
An exemption and an appeal are independent. Winning one does not affect eligibility for the other, and it is normal to pursue both.
Related
- Homestead exemption — A reduction for the home you actually live in.
- Equalized assessed value (EAV) — Assessed value after a county-wide multiplier is applied.
- Assessed value — The figure your county uses to calculate your tax — not what your house is worth.
Property tax is state law and the details differ. For what applies where you live, see coverage by state and your appeal deadline.