Homestead Exemption

Sunnyvale's newly-approved 20% homestead exemption will save Sunnyvale homeowners a cumulative $1.3 million for 2023.

In"Homestead Exemption" title graphic 2023, the Sunnyvale Town Council approved the Town’s first homestead exemption for residential property owners.

The owner of a primary residence can apply for an exemption for the 2023 tax year and future tax years from Town of Sunnyvale ad valorem taxation of 20% of the appraised value.

Homestead exemptions remove part of your home’s value from taxation and reduce the amount of property taxes you will pay. Only a homeowner’s principal residence qualifies for this exemption.

This exemption specifically applies to Town of Sunnyvale taxes and does not change your taxes from other entities such as Dallas County, Sunnyvale ISD or other special districts.

If you already have a homestead exemption through Dallas County or Sunnyvale ISD, you will automatically receive the Town of Sunnyvale exemption. If you have not previously applied for or received an exemption, you will need to apply. 

Detailed instructions for the application process and a list of frequently asked questions are available on this page.

 

Applying for Homestead Exemption

To apply, go to the Dallas County Appraisal District web page and search for your property. When you click to see your property details, you will see a link labeled "Print Homestead Exemption Form." Complete and submit that form along with the required documentation.

To qualify, you must own and reside in your home on January 1 of the year application is made and cannot claim a homestead exemption on any other property. If you temporarily move away from your home, you still can qualify for this exemption, if you do not establish another principal residence and you intend to return in less than two years. You may exceed the two year limit if you are in military service serving outside of the United States or live in a facility providing services related to health, infirmity or aging. Applications cannot be filed before the date you qualify for the exemption. If you are a single or married homeowner filing together, you may be eligible to apply online.

Each individual owner, excluding married couples, residing on the property must complete a separate application to qualify for an exemption for his or her interest in the property. If separate individuals own this property, you must list the percent of ownership for each and the name and mailing address of each owner who does not reside at the property. Exemptions are allocated according to percent of ownership interest the applicant has in the property. For property owned through a beneficial interest in a qualifying trust, attach a copy of the document creating the trust. For heir property, see below for required documents.

Application Requirements:

1.

Select all exemptions that apply and check the appropriate box (Step 3)

2.

Answer all questions completely (Step 4)

3.

Attach all documents required by the application (Step 4 & 5)

 

   

a.

For all applicants, attach a copy of your TX driver’s license or TX ID card. You may be exempt from this requirement if you reside in a facility that provides services for health, infirmity or aging; or a certified participant of the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) for victims of family violence, sexual assault or stalking (attach proof). The address listed on your TX driver’s license or TX ID card must match your homestead address. This requirement may be waived if you hold a driver’s license under §521.121 (c) or §521.1211 for federal or state judges and spouse or peace officers (attach proof); or for active duty members of the U.S. armed services and spouse (attach proof).

 

   

b.

For Disabled Person Exemption, attach proof of your disability including the date your disability began.

 

   

c.

For Age 55 or Older Surviving Spouse of individual who qualified for Age 65 or Older Exemption or the Disabled Person Exemption, attach spouse’s death certificate, list name of deceased spouse and date of death on the application.

 

   

d.

For exemptions claimed on another property or on your previous residence, list the property address and if located outside of Dallas County, attach documentation from the other appraisal district verifying removal of the exemption.

 

   

e.

For an applicant temporarily away from primary residence, list the date you intend to return to the property and the state the reason away.

 

   

f.

For a residence less than 100% complete on January 1 of the year application is made, attach proof of residency that proves you resided at your residence even though it was not 100% complete on January 1 (such as a utility bill dated on or before January 1 that was mailed to you at the property address).

 

   

g.

For any portion of the property that is used for rental purposes or not occupied/not used for homestead purposes (such as a room over the garage, detached buildings, second dwelling, servants' quarters, etc.), list the square footage not occupied / not used for homestead purposes and if rented, list the date the property was rented. You may only claim a homestead exemption on the portion of the property you occupy as your primary residence (§11.13).

 

   

h.

For Cooperative Housing and you have an exclusive right to occupy the unit because you own stock in a cooperative housing corporation, attach a copy of the Certificate of Membership Purchase.

 

   

i.

For a resident of a facility that provides services for health, infirmity or aging, attach a letter from the facility stating the applicant’s date of residency and confirmation of services received relating to health, infirmity or aging.

 

   

j.

For a certified participant of the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) for family violence, sexual assault, or stalking (Subchapter C, Chapter 56, Code of Criminal Procedure), attach proof of participation.

 

   

k.

For a holder of a driver's license under §521.121 (c) or §521.1211 for federal or state judges and spouse or peace officers who have omitted the residence address in lieu of the courthouse address in which the license holder or spouse serves, attach a copy of the license application from TX Department of Transportation.

 

   

l.

For an active duty member of the U.S. armed services and spouse, attach a copy of your military ID card or that of your spouse AND a copy of a utility bill for the homestead property in your name or your spouse's name.

 

   

m.

For Age 65 or Older, Heir Property, or Disabled Person who is not specifically identified on a deed or other recorded instrument as an owner of the residence homestead, attach an affidavit (included with application) or other compelling evidence establishing the applicant’s ownership of an interest in the homestead.

 

   

n.

For Manufactured Homes, attach a copy of the statement of ownership and location issued by the TX Department of Housing and Community Affairs AND a copy of the purchase contract or payment receipt showing you are the owner. If after making a good faith effort, you are unable to establish ownership as stated above, complete the sworn affidavit (included with the application).

4.

Complete the requested information (Step 6, Driver’s License and Date of Birth). If you are married, it is to your benefit for your spouse to also provide ID information.

5.

Sign and date the application (Step 6). You must affirm you have not claimed another residence homestead exemption in Texas or another state and all information provided in the application is true and correct.

It is a crime to make false statements on a homestead application or to file on more than one property. You could be found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor or a state jail felony under §37.10, Penal Code.

If you need to change your address on your TX driver’s license or TX ID card to your homestead property address, please visit one of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) locations.