Texas · Ellis County · Local exemptions · Updated Oct 2026

Ellis County, TX property tax exemptions (2026)

The property tax breaks that are set or run locally in Ellis 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 Ellis County

Ellis County itself grants a 1% (min. $5,000) homestead exemption and a tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+/disabled (2025). Midlothian ISD, the largest school district, adds a local 10% (min. $5,000) homestead exemption on top of the state school exemptions. 10 of the 50 taxing units listed offer a local homestead exemption; details for every unit are in the table.

Apply at
Ellis Appraisal District
Phone
972-937-3552
Local breaks
Local option homestead exemption (Ellis County), County tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+ or disabled (Ellis County), Local options of Midlothian ISD (largest school district)
Tax year
2025

Where to apply in Ellis County

Ellis Appraisal District

Phone
972-937-3552
Address
400 Ferris Ave., Waxahachie, TX 75165-3302
Official exemptions page

Other offices

Local exemptions in Ellis County

Homestead

Local option homestead exemption (Ellis County)

1% (min. $5,000) of the home's appraised value off Ellis County taxes

Set by
county
Tax year
2025
Who qualifies
Owner-occupied residence homestead (any age)
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.
Deadline
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.

Source: official page

Senior freeze or deferral

County tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+ or disabled (Ellis County)

County taxes on the home are capped at the amount in the year you first qualify (rises only for new improvements)

Set by
county
Tax year
2025
Who qualifies
Homeowners with the age 65 or older or disabled exemption
How to apply
Automatic once the appraisal district grants your age 65 or disabled exemption.
Deadline
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.

Source: official page

Other

Local options of Midlothian ISD (largest school district)

Midlothian ISD adds a local 10% (min. $5,000) homestead exemption on top of the state school exemptions ($140,000 homestead; +$60,000 for 65+/disabled)

Set by
school district
Tax year
2025
Who qualifies
Homeowners in Midlothian 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.
Deadline
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.

Source: official page

Amounts by taxing unit in Ellis County

Each school district, city or other taxing unit can set its own amount. Find the ones on your tax bill.

Sort:
Taxing unitTypeDisabilityFreezeHomestead pctOver65Source
Avalon ISDschool districtno local amount (state $60,000 applies)yes (required by state law for school districts)noneno local amount (state $60,000 applies)official
City of Almacitynonenonone$20,000official
City of Bardwellcitynonenononenoneofficial
City of Cedar Hillcity$30,000nonone$30,000official
City of Enniscitynoneyes (since 2020)1% (min. $5,000)$4,000official
City of Ferriscity$10,000yes (since 2020)4% (min. $5,000)$10,000official
City of Garrettcitynonenonone$10,000official
City of Glenn Heightscity$25,000nonone$25,000official
City of Grand Prairiecity$30,000yes (since 2004)17.5% (min. $5,000)$45,000official
City of Italycitynoneyes (2004/2011)none$6,000official
City of Mansfieldcity$10,000yes (since 2004)16% (min. $5,000)$50,000official
City of Maypearlcitynoneyes (since 2005)none$10,000official
City of Midlothiancity$150,000yes (65+ since 2018; disabled since 2023)20% (min. $5,000)$150,000official
City of Milfordcitynoneyes (since 2007)nonenoneofficial
City of Oak Leafcitynonenononenoneofficial
City of Ovillacity$50,000yes (since 2009)none$50,000official
City of Palmercitynoneno1% (min. $5,000)$10,000official
City of Pecan Hillcitynonenononenoneofficial
City of Red Oakcity$3,000yes (65+ only, since 2004)none$20,000official
City of Venuscity$10,000yes (since 2022)none$10,000official
City of Waxahachiecity$30,000yes (since 2006)7% (min. $5,000)$30,000official
Ellis Countycountynoneyes (since 2004)1% (min. $5,000)noneofficial
Ellis County ESD #1 (Maypearl)specialnonenononenoneofficial
Ellis County ESD #10 (Bardwell)specialnonenononenoneofficial
Ellis County ESD #11 (Alma)specialnonenononenoneofficial
Ellis County ESD #12 (Milford)specialnonenononenoneofficial
Ellis County ESD #2 (Midlothian)specialnonenononenoneofficial
Ellis County ESD #3 (Italy)specialnonenononenoneofficial
Ellis County ESD #4 (Red Oak)specialnonenononenoneofficial
Ellis County ESD #5 (Ferris)specialnonenononenoneofficial
Ellis County ESD #6 (Waxahachie)specialnonenononenoneofficial
Ellis County ESD #7 (Bristol)specialnonenononenoneofficial
Ellis County ESD #8 (Avalon)specialnonenononenoneofficial
Ellis County ESD #9 (Palmer)specialnonenononenoneofficial
Ellis County Fresh Water Supply District #1specialnonenononenoneofficial
Ellis County Lateral Roadcountynoneyes (since 2004)1% (min. $5,000) + $3,000noneofficial
Ellis County MUD #1Bspecialnonenononenoneofficial
Ennis ISDschool districtno local amount (state $60,000 applies)yes (required by state law for school districts)none$12,000 local (on top of the state $60,000)official
Ferris ISDschool districtno local amount (state $60,000 applies)yes (required by state law for school districts)none$4,000 local (on top of the state $60,000)official
Frost ISDschool districtno local amount (state $60,000 applies)yes (required by state law for school districts)noneno local amount (state $60,000 applies)official
Italy ISDschool districtno local amount (state $60,000 applies)yes (required by state law for school districts)none$3,000 local (on top of the state $60,000)official
Maypearl ISDschool districtno local amount (state $60,000 applies)yes (required by state law for school districts)none$3,000 local (on top of the state $60,000)official
Midlothian ISDschool districtno local amount (state $60,000 applies)yes (required by state law for school districts)10% (min. $5,000)no local amount (state $60,000 applies)official
Midlothian MMD #2specialnonenononenoneofficial
Midlothian MMD #3specialnonenononenoneofficial
Milford ISDschool districtno local amount (state $60,000 applies)yes (required by state law for school districts)noneno local amount (state $60,000 applies)official
Myrtle Creek MMD #1specialnonenononenoneofficial
Palmer ISDschool districtno local amount (state $60,000 applies)yes (required by state law for school districts)noneno local amount (state $60,000 applies)official
Red Oak ISDschool districtno local amount (state $60,000 applies)yes (required by state law for school districts)noneno local amount (state $60,000 applies)official
Waxahachie ISDschool district$5,000 local (on top of the state $60,000)yes (required by state law for school districts)none$5,000 local (on top of the state $60,000)official

State exemptions that also apply here

These breaks come from Texas law. Their full rules, forms and deadlines are on the Texas page.

All Texas property tax exemptions

By group in Texas: Seniors · Veterans · Disability · Surviving spouses

Savings estimate for Ellis County

Roughly what an exemption could save you a year: the value it takes off, times your tax rate.

Filled in when the exemption is a fixed dollar amount. You can change it.

Ellis County median effective rate: 1.24% (taxes paid as a share of home value). Use your own rate if you know it.

Enter a value and a tax rateChoose an exemption or type the value it takes off.

Median effective rate in Ellis County: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2020–2024 5-year estimates, county figures as published by Tax Foundation. It is a county-wide middle value; rates differ by town and school district.

An estimate, not a bill. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Eligibility finder for Ellis County

Answer a few questions to see which property tax breaks may fit you. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Leave empty if you'd rather not say.

Everyone in the home, before taxes. Optional: used only to compare with income limits.

Do you own and live in the home?Answer the first question to see results.

A first check, not a decision: only your county, city or town assessor decides. We read ages, ratings and income limits only where the official rule states them plainly; otherwise we show the rule for you to check.

Document checklist for Ellis 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.

The checklist asks for no personal details and nothing is sent to our server: the files are made on your device.

Exemptions to include

Questions about property tax exemptions in Ellis County

What property tax exemptions are there in Ellis County?

Ellis County itself grants a 1% (min. $5,000) homestead exemption and a tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+/disabled (2025). Midlothian ISD, the largest school district, adds a local 10% (min. $5,000) homestead exemption on top of the state school exemptions. 10 of the 50 taxing units listed offer a local homestead exemption; details for every unit are in the table. Local breaks here: Local option homestead exemption (Ellis County); County tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+ or disabled (Ellis County); Local options of Midlothian ISD (largest school district).

Where do I apply for a property tax exemption in Ellis County?

Ellis Appraisal District Phone: 972-937-3552 Address: 400 Ferris Ave., Waxahachie, TX 75165-3302. Also: Ellis 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 Ellis County?

Local option homestead exemption (Ellis County): 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). County tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+ or disabled (Ellis 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 Midlothian 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 Ellis County?

Local option homestead exemption (Ellis County): One-time; you do not reapply each year unless the appraisal district asks you to. County tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+ or disabled (Ellis County): One-time; you do not reapply each year unless the appraisal district asks you to. Local options of Midlothian 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 Ellis 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 Ellis County sets or runs itself.

Good to know in Ellis County

  • Ellis County and its lateral road fund give a 1% homestead exemption (at least $5,000; the road fund adds $3,000) and have had a tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+/disabled since 2004, but no extra dollar amount for 65+ or disabled.
  • The City of Midlothian gives $150,000 off for 65+ and disabled homeowners and a 20% homestead exemption; Waxahachie gives 7% and $30,000.

Think your assessed value is too high? See how to appeal in Ellis County.

Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.