City Hosts Workshops to Help Homeowners Lower Property Tax Bills

Published on February 10, 2023

SAN ANTONIO (February 10, 2023) – The City of San Antonio is hosting 14 workshops across the city between February and May to help homeowners learn about exemptions and steps to submit an appeal to lower property taxes.

The free workshops will explain different exemptions available to homeowners and provide tips on how to prepare for an appeal with the Bexar County Appraisal District before the May 15 deadline. An additional four workshops specifically focused on homestead exemptions will occur in the summer and fall. Homeowners seeking to file an exemption can get one-on-one assistance from legal experts at every workshop.

“A homestead exemption is one easy way homeowners can save on their property taxes,” said Veronica Garcia, Director of the City’s Neighborhood and Housing Services Department.  “Having tax experts and volunteers provide direct assistance at these free workshops helps our residents with property tax relief options.”

In June 2022, the Mayor and City Council approved increasing the homestead exemption for residential property owners, as well as the exemptions for seniors and persons with a disability. A homestead exemption reduces the amount of annual property taxes homeowners owe on their legal residence.

“Last summer I supported an increase to the city’s homestead exemption and exemptions for seniors and people with disabilities to ease the pressure resulting from high property tax bills,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “These free workshops can help bring much needed relief to households that may not be aware of how to take advantage of these property tax exemptions.”
 
The workshops will kick off at 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13, at the Carver Library, 3350 E Commerce St. A Spanish-language only session will be conducted on Saturday, March 4, at Palo Alto College, 1400 W. Villaret.

Recommended documents to bring and Bexar County resources can be found at the Neighborhood & Housing Services Department Property Tax Help webpage. Spanish and American Sign Language interpreters will be on site at each session to help with translation services. A full list of property tax help workshops is below.  

Sessions will be facilitated in collaboration with lawyers and volunteers with Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid and the San Antonio Legal Services Association. Representatives with the Bexar County Appraisal District and Bexar County Assessor’s Office will also be available to provide guidance to homeowners.