What Is the Homestead Exemption in Rockwall, Texas?

The homestead exemption is a property tax benefit available to homeowners in Texas who live in their home as their primary residence. When you file and qualify, part of your home’s appraised value is excluded from taxation, which lowers your annual property tax bill.

This exemption applies to all taxing units that participate (such as the school district, city, and county). In Rockwall and Rockwall County, the most impactful benefit comes from the school district homestead exemption, which makes up the majority of property taxes here in Dallas–Fort Worth.

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New Homestead Exemption Amounts (As of 2026)

Beginning with the most recent changes approved by Texas voters in 2025, the standard school district homestead exemption was increased from $100,000 to $140,000 of your home’s taxable value. This is now the baseline for property tax relief on school district taxes.

Additional exemptions are still available for specific categories like age 65+, disability, or disabled veterans — though this post focuses on the general exemption for all homeowners.

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Who Qualifies?

To qualify for the homestead exemption in Rockwall, you must:

• Own the property and use it as your principal residence

• File an application with the Rockwall Central Appraisal District (RCAD) once you purchase your home and change the address on your Driver’s License to your new home address (this shows proof of residency)

• Only one homestead exemption is allowed per homeowner

Filing is free, and once you file, the exemption continues year after year until the home is no longer your primary residence or ownership changes. You can find the homestead exemption forms to fill out for each county directly on our website:

https://www.ondemanddfw.com/dallas-fort-worth-homestead-exemption-information

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How the Exemption Works

Here’s a simple example using the new $140,000 exemption:

Scenario

A Rockwall homeowner’s property has a 2025 appraised value (taxable value) of $400,000.

Step-by-Step Calculation

School District Exemption

$400,000 – $140,000 = $260,000 taxable value for school taxes

Other Taxing Entities

The exemption primarily affects your school district taxes. City, county, and other local entities may offer additional optional exemptions, but the largest impact is the school exemption in Rockwall.

Tax Calculation (Simplified)

Suppose your Rockwall ISD tax rate is approximately 1.10 per $100 of value (or 1.10%). To estimate the school tax portion:

• After exemption taxable value: $260,000

• School tax owed: $260,000 × 1.10% = $2,860

Without the $140,000 exemption:

• Taxable value: $400,000

• School tax owed: $400,000 × 1.10% = $4,400

Estimated Savings on School Taxes

$4,400 – $2,860 = $1,540 per year

This demonstrates how the exemption directly reduces the taxable value used to calculate school taxes. Your city and county taxes still apply to the full value or their exemptions.

Note: This example uses hypothetical rates for illustration; actual tax rates vary annually based on budget and voter approval.

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Additional Exemptions

Beyond the basic $140,000 exemption, homeowners may qualify for additional exemptions that stack on top of the general homestead exemption, such as:

• Age 65 or Older / Disabled
  Larger school district exemptions and possible tax freezes

• Disabled Veteran
  Additional exemptions based on disability rating (separate from the basic homestead)

These can result in even greater savings, especially when combined with school district tax freezes that limit how much your tax bill can increase year over year.

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Filing Tips and Deadlines

• File between January 1 and April 30 of the tax year you want the exemption to apply

• Early filings aren’t accepted

• You only need to file once, unless your eligibility changes (for example, you move or change primary residences)

• Applications are available through the Rockwall Central Appraisal District

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Why This Matters in Rockwall

Property taxes in Rockwall and Rockwall County tend to be higher than the national average, in part because local services and schools rely heavily on property tax revenue. The homestead exemption — especially now at $140,000 — gives homeowners meaningful relief on their school tax bills.

For homeowners weighing buying vs. renting, or planning long-term budgeting, understanding and applying this exemption can significantly improve affordability.

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Conclusion

The homestead exemption is one of the most powerful property tax tools available to homeowners in Rockwall, Texas. With the recent increase to $140,000 for school district taxes, qualifying homeowners now enjoy bigger reductions in taxable value than ever before. Filing is simple, costs nothing, and can result in hundreds to thousands of dollars in annual property tax savings.