# Filed late? How to get back years of homestead savings

> In Texas you can file a late residence homestead application up to 2 years after the delinquency date for that tax year, usually February 1 of the following year (Tax Code §11.431). Disabled veterans get 5 years (§11.439). If approved after the bill is set, the appraisal district notifies the tax office within 30 days and the tax office refunds what you overpaid within 60 days. You do not file a separate refund request.

Canonical: https://exemptback.com/late-homestead-exemption-refund  
Reviewed: 2026-11-07 · Law checked: 2026-11-05

Missing a homestead exemption is common and often fixable. Here is how far back you can go, how the refund works, and the dates for each tax year.

## The rule

Tax Code §11.431 tells the chief appraiser to accept, and approve or deny, a residence homestead application filed after the regular deadline if it is filed no later than 2 years after the delinquency date for that year’s taxes. Section 11.439 does the same for the disabled veteran exemptions in §§11.22, 11.131 and 11.132, with a 5-year window. Section 11.439 does not cover surviving spouses of disabled veterans.

You still had to qualify in each year you claim: you owned the home and lived in it as your principal residence on January 1, and you did not claim a homestead anywhere else.

## Deadlines by tax year

| Tax year | Regular deadline | Homestead late deadline (§11.431) | Disabled veteran late deadline (§11.439) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021 | April 30, 2021 | February 1, 2024 | February 1, 2027 |
| 2022 | April 30, 2022 | February 1, 2025 | February 1, 2028 |
| 2023 | April 30, 2023 | February 1, 2026 | February 1, 2029 |
| 2024 | April 30, 2024 | February 1, 2027 | February 1, 2030 |
| 2025 | April 30, 2025 | February 1, 2028 | February 1, 2031 |
| 2026 | April 30, 2026 | February 1, 2029 | February 1, 2032 |
| 2027 | April 30, 2027 | February 1, 2030 | February 1, 2033 |

If the delinquency date for a year moved (for example, because the bill was mailed late), the late window moves with it. Your tax statement shows the delinquency date.

Because the delinquency date is usually in February, a homeowner who never filed can usually claim the current tax year plus the two before it for most of the year.

## How the refund works

1. You file the late application (Form 50-114, or Form 50-135 for a partial disabled veteran exemption) with the appraisal district and say which tax years you are claiming.
2. If approved after the appraisal records were certified, the chief appraiser must notify each tax collector within 30 days (§11.431(b)).
3. The collector removes the tax on the exempted value. If the bill is unpaid, it is reduced. If it was paid, the collector sends the refund within 60 days of the notice. You do not apply for the refund.

For disabled veteran late applications under §11.439, the refund also includes the matching share of any penalties and interest you paid.

## If your taxes are paid through escrow

The tax office issues the refund once the corrected bill is processed. If your lender paid the taxes from escrow, ask the tax office how the refund will be issued and tell your servicer. A lower tax bill then shows up in your mortgage payment after the servicer’s next escrow analysis; you can ask for one once the corrected bill is out.

## Mistakes that get late applications denied

- Claiming a year in which you had not yet moved in, or a year another home of yours had the homestead.
- An ID with an old address. Update it with Texas DPS before you file.
- Claiming a year whose window has already closed. Check the table above.
- Not stating which past years you are asking for.

**Not sure what your record shows?** The free check reads your county record with you, applies the rules on this page, and shows any back-year refunds and yearly savings. If you are already covered, it says so.

[See my back years free](https://exemptback.com/check)

## Common questions

### How far back can you claim a homestead exemption in Texas?

Up to 2 years after the delinquency date for each tax year, which is usually February 1 of the next year (Tax Code §11.431). Disabled veterans can go back up to 5 years for their veteran exemptions (§11.439).

### Do I have to request a refund after a late homestead exemption is approved?

No. The appraisal district notifies the tax office within 30 days of approval, and the tax office must refund the overpaid tax within 60 days of that notice.

### What if I forgot to file the homestead exemption the year I bought my house?

File now. If the late window for that year is still open, ask the appraisal district to apply the exemption to that year. If you closed after January 1 and the seller did not have the exemption that year, you may also qualify for part of the year you bought.

### Will a late homestead exemption lower my mortgage payment?

If your taxes are paid through escrow, a lower bill can lower your monthly payment after the servicer’s next escrow analysis.

## Sources

1. [Texas Tax Code, Chapter 11 (Taxable Property and Exemptions)](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TX/htm/TX.11.htm) — Texas Legislature
2. [Dallas CAD — Reapply Letter FAQ (SB 1801 and HB 2730)](https://www.dallascad.org/FAQ_Website_Reapply_Letter_Request_SB_1801_and_HB_2730_01052026.pdf) — Dallas Central Appraisal District
3. [Consumer Alert: HCAD Warns Homeowners to Be Wary of Homestead Designation and Unclaimed Money Solicitations](https://hcad.org/alerts/consumer-alert-hcad-warns-homeowners-to-be-wary-of-homestead-designation-and-unclaimed-money-solicitations) — Harris Central Appraisal District
4. [Form 50-114, Application for Residence Homestead Exemption](https://comptroller.texas.gov/forms/50-114.pdf) — Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
5. [Form 50-135, Disabled Veteran's or Survivor's Exemption Application](https://comptroller.texas.gov/forms/50-135.pdf) — Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

_ExemptBack is private self-help software, not a government service, law firm, or property tax consultant. General information, not legal advice._