To qualify for the homeowners' exemption, the home must have been the principal residence of the owner as of January 1 of that tax year. Depending on your state, you can apply for your exemption online or you'll need to visit a local government office to fill out the paperwork.A new owner must file a claim even if the property is already receiving the Homeowners' Exemption. To apply for homestead exemption, you must bring the required documents (listed above) to our office and apply in person. To apply for the exemption, homeowners must submit a completed application to their county appraisal district. Calculate how much you'll pay in property taxes on your home, given your location and assessed home value. Compare your property tax rate against rates in the top 50 metros. Like the homestead exemption, only school districts are required to offer this exemption. Texas Property Tax Rates. Since lady bird deeds allow an owner to retain a homestead exemption during their lifetime, they can take advantage of lower property tax bills.