Austin County Commissioners Court voted Monday to expand property tax relief for senior homeowners, raising the over-65 homestead exemption from $50,000 to $75,000.
The unanimous decision came during the June 22, 2026 regular meeting as part of ongoing efforts to help seniors on fixed or limited incomes remain in their homes amid rising property values and taxes.
Details of the Action
Presiding officers noted that the county has raised the exemption incrementally in recent years. The current $50,000 level was itself the result of prior increases (previously moving through amounts such as $25,000).
The court approved an additional $25,000 increase this year, bringing the total exemption to $75,000. Leadership indicated this follows a planned approach of $25,000 annual increments, with a long-term goal of reaching approximately $200,000. The court expressed its will to continue these steps so the county takes less in taxes from seniors who can least afford it and helps them stay in their homes.
How the exemption works: It reduces the taxable value of a seniorโs home. For example, if a home is appraised at $300,000, the $75,000 exemption lowers the amount subject to county property taxes to $225,000. Qualifying residents must be 65 years of age or older and meet standard homestead requirements.
During discussion, Bruce White with the Bellville Times asked about the timing, and the court confirmed the increase will apply to the next tax year (2026-27).
How Austin County Compares to Other Texas Counties
Texas law sets a mandatory statewide over-65 exemption for school taxes (currently $60,000 following recent voter-approved increases) and allows local taxing entities (counties, cities, etc.) to offer additional optional exemptions with a minimum of $3,000. Many jurisdictions provide flat amounts or percentage-based relief (up to 20% of appraised value).
Austin Countyโs $75,000 local exemption stands out as one of the more generous among rural counties, especially given the countyโs more limited tax base compared to larger urban areas. While urban and suburban counties (such as parts of Travis, Harris, Tarrant, and Collin), which benefit from significantly larger tax bases and higher overall property values, often offer higher optional or percentage-based exemptions that can equal or exceed this on higher-value homes, many rural and mid-sized counties provide more modest relief in the $3,000โ$40,000 range.
By steadily increasing its local exemption, Austin County is positioning itself as a leader among peer rural counties in providing meaningful, above-average tax relief for seniors beyond state requirements.
The move was presented as a proactive local response to help combat the financial pressures many seniors face, with the court emphasizing that it allows the county to return more tax relief directly to longtime residents.
This change applies only to the county portion of property taxes and works in conjunction with any existing state-level exemptions. Residents should contact the Austin County Appraisal District for details on qualification and how the updated exemption will appear on future tax statements.
