Veterans: How to Lower (or Eliminate) Your Property Taxes in TX, FL, AL, TN & CO

 

You’ve earned these benefits—let’s make sure you’re using them. Below is a state-by-state guide for homeowners who are Veterans or surviving spouses in the states that I am Licensed in (TX, AL, FL, TN, CO). I’ll also handle the paperwork questions and help you meet the deadlines.

Texas

  • What you may get

    • Homestead exemption (primary residence).

    • 100% Disabled Veteran: full exemption on your homestead. Texas Comptroller

    • 10% - 90%  service-connected disability ratings are treated for property-tax relief 

      • Yes—tiered DV exemption on the homestead.

      • By VA rating:

        • 10–29%: $5,000 off assessed value

        • 30–49%: $7,500

        • 50–69%: $10,000

        • 70–99%: $12,000

  • Who qualifies

  • When to apply

    • By April 30. Late filing is allowed (homestead late filing commonly up to two years; 100% DV up to five years after delinquency). Texas Comptroller+2Bell CAD+2

  • At closing?

    • Not automatic—file with your county appraisal district right after you buy. Houston Chronicle

Florida

  • What you may get

    • Homestead + Disabled Veteran exemptions; special provisions for totally/permanently disabled vets. Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs

    • Yes—DV exemption for 10%+: $5,000 reduction on a homesteaded property’s assessed value (surviving spouse may carry it if un-remarried).

    • Separate programs exist for P&T and certain combat-related disabilities that can reach full exemption.

  • Who qualifies

    • Establish permanent residence by Jan 1 for that tax year. HCPAFN

  • When to apply

    • March 1 deadline (late apps accepted for a short window). Counties accept forms year-round. HCPAFN+1

  • At closing?

    • Apply after you move in. Florida also allows prorated refunds on newly acquired qualifying homesteads for eligible vets/surviving spouses—ask me about your county’s process. Florida Dept. of Revenue

Alabama

  • What you may get

    • Homestead exemptions (and, for totally disabled or 65+, broader relief on state/county/city portions). MyArmyBenefits

    • No rating-tiered DV schedule.

    • Relief is generally for totally and permanently disabled taxpayers (or age-based homestead categories).

    • Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant homes for veterans/surviving spouses are fully exempt.

  • Who qualifies

  • When to apply

  • At closing?

    • File with the county; benefit is keyed to Oct 1 status. Madison County

Tennessee

  • What you may get

  • Deadlines

    • Set by county; for example, Montgomery County’s 2025 relief/tax freeze deadline is Apr 5, 2026. I’ll confirm your county’s date. Montgomery County

  • At closing?

Colorado

  • What you may get

    • Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption (portion of value exempt for 100% P&T). MyArmyBenefits

    • Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption requires 100% permanent & total (or Individual Unemployability).

    • Ratings under 100% (without IU) are not eligible for the exemption. Elbert County

  • When to apply

    • Jan 1–Jul 1 (late apps sometimes accepted to Sept 1 for good cause). MyArmyBenefits+1

  • At closing?

What to bring (all states)

  • VA disability letter (or P&T documentation, if applicable).

  • Proof of residency and occupancy (driver’s license with property address, voter reg, etc.).

  • Closing documents (if recently purchased).

  • County-specific application forms (I’ll pull the right links for your county).

My promise to you

I’ll:

  • Confirm your exact county requirements and deadlines.

  • Prep a one-page checklist and the correct forms.

  • Coordinate with the county so you don’t miss out on benefits you’ve earned.

Ready to get yours? Send me your property address and county; I’ll start the paperwork and timeline today.

Between Two Doors is a podcast where I talk with Realtors about their journey, aiming to connect home buyers and sellers with agents on a more personal level. I ask “right-brain” questions that go beyond transactions, focusing on the experiences, values, and passions that make these professionals great at what they do.

Listen to more episodes at https://www.betweentwodoors.com

Sponsored by:
Premier Lending, Inc. — https://www.natecarver.com
NMLS #2004738 | Licensed by the DFPI | Equal Housing Opportunity
https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.com

(972) 832-5761

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