Texas · Cherokee County · Local exemptions · Updated Oct 2026
Cherokee County, TX property tax exemptions (2026)
The property tax breaks that are set or run locally in Cherokee County, on top of Texas’s statewide rules: what each is worth here, who qualifies, where to apply and the deadline.
What is different in Cherokee County
Cherokee County itself grants $12,000 off for age 65+, $12,000 off for disabled homeowners and a tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+/disabled (2026). Jacksonville ISD, the largest school district, adds a local $5,000 age 65+ exemption on top of the state school exemptions. 1 of the 15 taxing units listed offer a local homestead exemption; details for every unit are in the table.
Apply at
Cherokee Appraisal District
Phone
903-683-2296
Local breaks
Local age 65 or older exemption (Cherokee County), Local disabled person exemption (Cherokee County), County tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+ or disabled (Cherokee County), Local options of Jacksonville ISD (largest school district)
$12,000 off the home's value for Cherokee County taxes
Set by
county
Tax year
2026 (list posted July 2026)
Who qualifies
Homeowner age 65 or older (a surviving spouse 55 or older may keep it)
How to apply
File Form 50-114 with the county appraisal district (no fee); one application covers every taxing unit that taxes your home. Attach a copy of your Texas driver's license or ID showing the home's address.
No later than one year after you turn 65 or become disabled (Tax Code §11.43(k)); late applications up to two years after the delinquency date (§11.431).
Renewal
One-time; you do not reapply each year unless the appraisal district asks you to.
$12,000 off the home's value for Cherokee County taxes
Set by
county
Tax year
2026 (list posted July 2026)
Who qualifies
Homeowner who meets the Social Security disability definition (you cannot take both the 65+ and disabled exemption from the same unit)
How to apply
File Form 50-114 with the county appraisal district (no fee); one application covers every taxing unit that taxes your home. Attach a copy of your Texas driver's license or ID showing the home's address.
No later than one year after you turn 65 or become disabled (Tax Code §11.43(k)); late applications up to two years after the delinquency date (§11.431).
Renewal
One-time; you do not reapply each year unless the appraisal district asks you to.
No later than one year after you turn 65 or become disabled (Tax Code §11.43(k)); late applications up to two years after the delinquency date (§11.431).
Renewal
One-time; you do not reapply each year unless the appraisal district asks you to.
Local options of Jacksonville ISD (largest school district)
Jacksonville ISD adds a $5,000 local age 65+ exemption on top of the state school exemptions ($140,000 homestead; +$60,000 for 65+/disabled)
Set by
school district
Tax year
2026 (list posted July 2026)
Who qualifies
Homeowners in Jacksonville ISD; age/disability rules as for the state exemption
How to apply
File Form 50-114 with the county appraisal district (no fee); one application covers every taxing unit that taxes your home. Attach a copy of your Texas driver's license or ID showing the home's address.
Generally by April 30 of the tax year (Tax Code §11.43(d)); a late application can be filed up to two years after that year's taxes become delinquent (§11.431).
Renewal
One-time; you do not reapply each year unless the appraisal district asks you to.
Roughly what an exemption could save you a year: the value it takes off, times your tax rate.
Eligibility finder for Cherokee County
Answer a few questions to see which property tax breaks may fit you. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Document checklist for Cherokee County
Pick the breaks you plan to apply for. You get a checklist of forms, documents, steps and deadlines to print or keep on your phone.
Questions about property tax exemptions in Cherokee County
What property tax exemptions are there in Cherokee County?
Cherokee County itself grants $12,000 off for age 65+, $12,000 off for disabled homeowners and a tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+/disabled (2026). Jacksonville ISD, the largest school district, adds a local $5,000 age 65+ exemption on top of the state school exemptions. 1 of the 15 taxing units listed offer a local homestead exemption; details for every unit are in the table. Local breaks here: Local age 65 or older exemption (Cherokee County); Local disabled person exemption (Cherokee County); County tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+ or disabled (Cherokee County); Local options of Jacksonville ISD (largest school district).
Where do I apply for a property tax exemption in Cherokee County?
Cherokee Appraisal District Phone: 903-683-2296 Address: 107 E. 6th St., Rusk, TX 75785-1101. Also: Cherokee County Tax Assessor-Collector, which sends and collects the property tax bill. Also: Texas Comptroller, Property Tax Assistance Division, which state rules and forms.
When is the deadline to apply in Cherokee County?
Local age 65 or older exemption (Cherokee County): No later than one year after you turn 65 or become disabled (Tax Code §11.43(k)); late applications up to two years after the delinquency date (§11.431). Local disabled person exemption (Cherokee County): No later than one year after you turn 65 or become disabled (Tax Code §11.43(k)); late applications up to two years after the delinquency date (§11.431). County tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+ or disabled (Cherokee County): No later than one year after you turn 65 or become disabled (Tax Code §11.43(k)); late applications up to two years after the delinquency date (§11.431). Local options of Jacksonville ISD (largest school district): Generally by April 30 of the tax year (Tax Code §11.43(d)); a late application can be filed up to two years after that year's taxes become delinquent (§11.431).
Do I have to reapply every year in Cherokee County?
Local age 65 or older exemption (Cherokee County): One-time; you do not reapply each year unless the appraisal district asks you to. Local disabled person exemption (Cherokee County): One-time; you do not reapply each year unless the appraisal district asks you to. County tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+ or disabled (Cherokee County): One-time; you do not reapply each year unless the appraisal district asks you to. Local options of Jacksonville ISD (largest school district): One-time; you do not reapply each year unless the appraisal district asks you to.
Do Texas’s statewide exemptions apply in Cherokee County too?
Yes. The statewide breaks on our Texas page apply here as well, for example General Residence Homestead Exemption, Age 65 or Older or Disabled Residence Homestead Exemption and School Tax Ceiling (tax freeze) for Age 65 or Older or Disabled. This page adds what Cherokee County sets or runs itself.
Good to know in Cherokee County
Cherokee County gives $12,000 off for 65+ or disabled homeowners and a tax ceiling (freeze); the lateral road fund also has the state $3,000 homestead exemption.
The cities of Jacksonville and Rusk adopted the over-65/disabled tax ceiling effective with the 2004 tax year.
Median effective tax rate for Cherokee County: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2020–2024 5-year estimates, county figures as published by Tax Foundation. The rate is property taxes paid divided by home value.