Senior Property Tax Exemptions by State (2026)
Free calculators and guides to help homeowners 65+ claim every exemption, freeze, and deferral they qualify for.
Find My State →Free tools · No signup required · Updated April 2026
Last Updated: April 2026
What We Help You Claim
Property Tax Exemptions
Reduce the taxable value of your home. In Texas, seniors now exempt up to $200,000 from school district taxes. Exemptions exist in every state for seniors.
School Tax Freezes
Lock your school district taxes at your current level. Even if your home value increases by $100,000, your school taxes stay the same. Available in Texas and Illinois.
Property Tax Deferrals
Postpone paying property taxes until you sell or transfer the home. No immediate cash outlay. Available in Texas (5% interest), California (7%), and select other states.
Important 2026 Update: Texas Proposition 11
Texas voters approved Proposition 11 in November 2025, raising the over-65 additional homestead exemption from $10,000 to $60,000. Combined with the existing $140,000 standard homestead exemption, Texas seniors now exempt up to $200,000of their home's value from school district taxes.
On a home valued at $350,000 with a 1.5% school tax rate, this means $3,000 in annual savingscompared to before the exemption. Filing deadline: April 30, 2026. Form: 50-114.
Read the full Texas Prop 11 guide →Browse by State
Texas
Up to $200,000 exempt
School tax freeze + $200K school exemption (Prop 11)
View Texas Guide →Illinois
Up to $8,000 exempt
Senior freeze limits tax increases + $8K exemption
View Illinois Guide →California
Tax base transfer + deferral
Prop 19 lets you transfer your low tax base
View California Guide →Florida
Up to $50,000 exempt
Income-limited senior exemption + 3% assessment cap
View Florida Guide →New York
Up to $70,000 exempt
Enhanced STAR saves $1,000–$1,500/year
View New York Guide →More states coming soon — all 50 states in progress.
Free Senior Property Tax Tools
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Recent Guides
How to Apply for a Senior Property Tax Exemption
A practical step-by-step walkthrough of the application process for senior property tax exemptions, including forms, deadlines, and tips to avoid common mistakes.
Read Guide →Updated April 2026Senior Property Tax Exemption by State: 2026 Comparison
A side-by-side comparison of senior property tax benefits across the US, with savings estimates for each state.
Read Guide →Updated April 20262026 Property Tax Changes That Affect Seniors
An overview of the most important 2026 property tax law changes for seniors, led by Texas Proposition 11's major exemption increase.
Read Guide →Why We Built This
A family member in Houston missed his over-65 homestead exemption for three years. When we finally figured it out and filed retroactively, we recovered over $4,000. But the process was confusing — every county had different rules, forms had different names, and nobody explained it plainly for seniors.
PropertyTaxSeniors.com exists so other families do not leave that money on the table. We track exemption rules in all 50 states, explain them in plain English, and update them whenever the law changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age do I qualify for a senior property tax exemption?
In most states, you qualify at age 65. A few states, like California for the Proposition 19 transfer benefit, set the threshold at 55 or 62. The age is typically based on your age as of January 1 of the tax year.
How much can a senior save on property taxes?
It varies widely by state and county. In Texas, seniors can now exempt $200,000 of their home's value from school district taxes after Proposition 11 passed in November 2025 — saving $3,000 or more per year in many counties. Illinois seniors save $350–$400/year on average. Florida has an income-limited senior exemption worth up to $2,000 per year.
What is a school district tax freeze?
A school tax freeze locks your school district property taxes at the amount you paid in the year you turned 65 or first applied. Even if your home value rises, your school taxes stay the same. Texas and Illinois offer this benefit. It can be worth thousands over a 10–20 year period.
What if I missed filing for years? Can I get a refund?
Yes, in many states. Texas allows you to file retroactively for up to 2 prior years. Florida allows 2 years. New York generally allows 1 year. Use our Retroactive Refund Calculator to estimate what you might recover.
Do I have to re-file for the exemption every year?
Usually not. In most states, once you file and are approved, the exemption automatically renews each year as long as you continue to own and live in the home. Some states require periodic income verification for income-limited programs.