Cedar Hill homestead exemption (Dallas: school district, college, property tax)

[Ilovethewindycity]

I have been searching for homes in Cedar Hill, I have looked into DCAD to check out the property tax and one thing I noticed is the City of Cedar Hill does not give Homestead exemption. Does anyone know why? Also the school district’s homestead exemption is only $15,000. I currently live in Dallas and know that the homestead is 20% for everything except DISD, which is a lot higher than $15,000. Any help is appreciated.

[scarmig]

I thought the homestead exemption was state-based, not city or county-based.

[lpepping]

It is not the same across the state. Some areas use a fixed number for the exemption amount like $15,000. Others use a percentage as the exemption amount. This can make a large difference depending on the appraisal value of your home.

[Ilovethewindycity]

Originally Posted by scarmig

I thought the homestead exemption was state-based, not city or county-based.

When you look at the breakdown of the taxes it shows you how exemption you get from the city, ISD, county, college and hospital. Here is an example of a home in Cedar Hills:

City: CEDAR HILL $0 Taxable Value-$350,100
School: CEDAR HILL ISD $15,000 Taxable Value-$335,100
County: DALLAS COUNTY $70,020 Taxable Value-$280,080
College: DALLAS COMMUNITY $70,020 Taxable Value-$280,080
Hospital: PARKLAND HOSPITAL $70,020 Taxable Value-$280,080


This is true for any home in Cedar Hill. So I'm wondering why the city of Cedar Hill does not give an exemption and why ISD is only $15,000.

[scarmig]

Looks like you're reading it right. Cedar Hill does not allow for a homestead exemption except for the elderly and the disabled.

http://www.municode.com/resources/ga...d=11825&sid=43 search for homestead exemption

As for why, I would expect it's as simple as not wanting to give up the money.