Texas · Galveston County · Local exemptions · Updated Oct 2026

Galveston County, TX property tax exemptions (2026)

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

Galveston County itself grants a 20% (min. $5,000) homestead exemption, $60,000 off for age 65+, $60,000 off for disabled homeowners and a tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+/disabled (2025). Galveston ISD, the largest school district, adds a local 20% (min. $5,000) homestead exemption on top of the state school exemptions. 28 of the 73 taxing units listed offer a local homestead exemption; details for every unit are in the table.

Apply at
Galveston Central Appraisal District
Phone
409-935-1980
Local breaks
Local option homestead exemption (Galveston County), Local age 65 or older exemption (Galveston County), Local disabled person exemption (Galveston County), County tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+ or disabled (Galveston County), Local options of Galveston ISD (largest school district)
Tax year
2025

Where to apply in Galveston County

Galveston Central Appraisal District

Phone
409-935-1980
Address
9850 Emmett F. Lowry Expwy, Suite A, Texas City, TX 77591
Official exemptions page

Other offices

Local exemptions in Galveston County

Homestead

Local option homestead exemption (Galveston County)

20% (min. $5,000) of the home's appraised value off Galveston 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

Seniors

Local age 65 or older exemption (Galveston County)

$60,000 off the home's value for Galveston County taxes

Set by
county
Tax year
2025
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.
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

Disability

Local disabled person exemption (Galveston County)

$60,000 off the home's value for Galveston County taxes

Set by
county
Tax year
2025
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.
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

Senior freeze or deferral

County tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+ or disabled (Galveston 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 Galveston ISD (largest school district)

Galveston ISD adds a local 20% (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 Galveston 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 Galveston 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
Bacliff MUDspecialnonenonone$10,000official
Bay Colony West MUDspecial$20,000nonone$20,000official
Bayview MUDspecial$50,000nonone$50,000official
City of Bayou Vistacity$10,000yes20% (min. $5,000)$10,000official
City of Kemahcity$150,000yes20% (min. $5,000)$150,000official
City of Santa Fecity$15,000yes2% (min. $5,000)$15,000official
Clear Creek ISDschool district$78,330 total (state $60,000 + local $18,330)yes (required by state law for school districts)5% (min. $5,000)$78,330 total (state $60,000 + local $18,330)official
Clear Lake Shorescity$100,000yes20% (min. $5,000)$100,000official
College of the Mainlandspecial$24,000yes20% (min. $5,000)$24,000official
Dickinson Citycity$10,000yesnone$10,000official
Dickinson ISDschool district$60,000 state exemption onlyyes (required by state law for school districts)none$60,000 state exemption onlyofficial
Flamingo Isles MUDspecialnonenononenoneofficial
Friendswood Citycity$25,000yes20% (min. $5,000)$25,000official
Friendswood ISDschool district$70,000 total (state $60,000 + local $10,000)yes (required by state law for school districts)none$70,000 total (state $60,000 + local $10,000)official
Gal Co Consolidated Drainagespecial$25,000no10% (min. $5,000)$25,000official
GalCo Drainage Dist #1special$20,000nonone$20,000official
GalCo Drainage Dist #2special$10,000nonone$25,000official
GalCo Emergency Service #1special$10,000nonone$10,000official
GalCo Emergency Service #2special$10,000no20% (min. $5,000)$10,000official
Galveston Citycity$10,000yes20%$15,000official
Galveston Co Management Dist #1specialnonenononenoneofficial
Galveston Collegespecial$10,000no20% (min. $5,000)$10,000official
Galveston Countycounty$60,000yes20% (min. $5,000)$60,000official
Galveston County MUD No. 12special$10,000no20% (min. $5,000)$10,000official
Galveston County MUD No. 14special$20,000nonone$20,000official
Galveston County MUD No. 30special$100,000nonone$100,000official
Galveston County MUD No. 31special$50,000nonone$50,000official
Galveston County MUD No. 32specialnonenononenoneofficial
Galveston County MUD No. 35specialnonenononenoneofficial
Galveston County MUD No. 36specialnonenononenoneofficial
Galveston County MUD No. 39special$30,000nonone$30,000official
Galveston County MUD No. 43special$100,000nonone$100,000official
Galveston County MUD No. 44special$25,000no5% (min. $5,000)$25,000official
Galveston County MUD No. 45special$100,000no20% (min. $5,000)$100,000official
Galveston County MUD No. 46special$40,000nonone$40,000official
Galveston County MUD No. 52special$10,000nonone$10,000official
Galveston County MUD No. 53specialnonenononenoneofficial
Galveston County MUD No. 54specialnonenononenoneofficial
Galveston County MUD No. 56special$25,000nonone$25,000official
Galveston County MUD No. 57specialnonenononenoneofficial
Galveston County MUD No. 58specialnonenononenoneofficial
Galveston County MUD No. 59specialnonenononenoneofficial
Galveston County MUD No. 6special$100,000nonone$100,000official
Galveston County MUD No. 66special$10,000nonone$10,000official
Galveston County MUD No. 68specialnonenononenoneofficial
Galveston County MUD No. 73specialnonenononenoneofficial
Galveston County MUD No. 76specialnonenononenoneofficial
Galveston County MUD No. 79specialnonenononenoneofficial
Galveston County MUD No. 81specialnonenononenoneofficial
Galveston County MUD No. 82specialnonenononenoneofficial
Galveston County Road & Floodcounty$60,000no20% (min. $5,000)$60,000official
Galveston ISDschool district$60,000 state exemption onlyyes (required by state law for school districts)20% (min. $5,000)$60,000 state exemption onlyofficial
GC Fresh Water Supply Dist. No. 6special$10,000no20% (min. $5,000)$10,000official
GC Navigation District No. 1special$10,000no20% (min. $5,000)$10,000official
High Island ISDschool district$60,000 state exemption onlyyes (required by state law for school districts)5% (min. $5,000)$66,000 total (state $60,000 + local $6,000)official
Hitchcock Citycitynoneyesnone$37,500official
Hitchcock ISDschool district$60,000 state exemption onlyyes (required by state law for school districts)none$60,000 state exemption onlyofficial
Jamaica Beach Citycity$15,000yes10% (min. $5,000)$15,000official
Kemah Management District No. 1specialnonenononenoneofficial
La Marque Citycity$10,000yesnone$20,000official
League Citycity$200,000yes20% (min. $5,000)$200,000official
San Leon MUDspecial$10,000no10% (min. $5,000)$10,000official
Santa Fe ISDschool district$60,000 state exemption onlyyes (required by state law for school districts)none$65,000 total (state $60,000 + local $5,000)official
South Shore Harbour MUD No. 7special$48,000nonone$48,000official
Texas Citycity$10,000yes20% (min. $5,000)$20,000official
Texas City ISDschool district$60,000 state exemption onlyyes (required by state law for school districts)20% (min. $5,000)$70,900 total (state $60,000 + local $10,900)official
Village of Tiki Islandcity$10,000yes20% (min. $5,000)$10,000official
WCID No. 1special$10,000nonone$25,000official
WCID No. 12special$150,000no20% (min. $5,000)$150,000official
WCID No. 19special$3,000nononenoneofficial
WCID No. 8special$20,000no20% (min. $5,000)$20,000official
West Ranch Municipal District No. 1special$25,000nonone$25,000official
Westwood Management Districtspecialnonenononenoneofficial

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 Galveston 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.

Galveston County median effective rate: 1.40% (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 Galveston 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 Galveston 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 Galveston 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 Galveston County

What property tax exemptions are there in Galveston County?

Galveston County itself grants a 20% (min. $5,000) homestead exemption, $60,000 off for age 65+, $60,000 off for disabled homeowners and a tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+/disabled (2025). Galveston ISD, the largest school district, adds a local 20% (min. $5,000) homestead exemption on top of the state school exemptions. 28 of the 73 taxing units listed offer a local homestead exemption; details for every unit are in the table. Local breaks here: Local option homestead exemption (Galveston County); Local age 65 or older exemption (Galveston County); Local disabled person exemption (Galveston County); County tax ceiling (freeze) for 65+ or disabled (Galveston County); Local options of Galveston ISD (largest school district).

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

Galveston Central Appraisal District Phone: 409-935-1980 Address: 9850 Emmett F. Lowry Expwy, Suite A, Texas City, TX 77591. Also: Galveston 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 Galveston County?

Local option homestead exemption (Galveston 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). Local age 65 or older exemption (Galveston 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 (Galveston 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 (Galveston 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 Galveston 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 Galveston County?

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

Good to know in Galveston County

  • Galveston County gives a 20% homestead exemption (at least $5,000) and $60,000 off for 65+ and disabled homeowners, with a tax ceiling (freeze).
  • League City gives $200,000 off for 65+ and disabled homeowners and Kemah $150,000; Clear Creek ISD's 65+/disabled exemption totals $78,330 (state $60,000 plus local $18,330).

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

Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.