Property Tax Question (2015, mortgage, house)

[exclusionsapply]

I purchased a home a few months ago (first time buyer) in Harris County. Today I received a tax statement from my MUD district with my 2014 taxes.

I have not yet filed for a homestead exception, but reading information on HCAD applications are excepted between January 1 and April 30. Should I apply?

I'm a little confused on how to proceed. There is a note on the bill that if you escrow, I just need to verify that my mortgage company received the statement. Is that my course of action for this specific bill?

Assuming I should file a homestead exception (I'm assuming I qualify for something). Is there is a specific date I need to do this by? Will the exception affect 2014 taxes or will it only apply to 2015?

[cheryjohns]

Don't send in the exemption form until after 1/1/15.

On the MUD tax, if you are paying your taxes in your payment to the mortgage company (escrowing) - they will take care of it. Go ahead and make a call to them to make sure they received a copy (they usually do).

[Hangster]

You have to live in the house on Jan 1 of the year to qualify for Homestead. So as mentioned, you don't qualify for 2014. But submit it for 2015 and you can received homestead.