Are You Getting All the Property Tax Exemptions You Are Eligible For?

Published on April 16, 2025

Houses along a neighborhood street

By Susan Schrock, Office of Communication

The May 15 deadline is fast approaching for Arlington residential property owners to protest their appraisals with the Tarrant Appraisal Review Board.

Even if you do not plan to protest your appraisal this year, now is good time to review your Tarrant Appraisal District account to ensure you are receiving all the property tax exemptions you are eligible for within the City of Arlington. The last day to file an exemption application with the Tarrant Appraisal District is Wednesday, April 30.

Property Taxes and Exemptions in Arlington

For decades, the Arlington City Council has authorized a variety of residential property tax exemptions, including the largest homestead exemption by state law of 20% of the property value. The City also offers a senior tax freeze as well as $60,000 exemptions for those who are over 65, disabled veterans and disabled persons. Exemptions are also available to surviving spouses of U.S. Armed Forces members and first responders who are killed in action. Seniors over the age of 65 in Arlington may also be eligible to defer payments.

Overall, the City of Arlington’s tax rate makes up about 20 to 25% of an Arlington homeowner's total property tax bill, depending on the school district your home is located within. Arlington’s property tax rate, approved by City Council, is currently $0.5998 per $100 of assessed value. This rate, when compared to other taxing entities listed on the Tarrant Appraisal District website, is lower than the surrounding cities of Mansfield, Kennedale, Dalworthington Gardens and Fort Worth. 

What is an exemption?

A property tax exemption removes part of the value of your property from taxation and lowers your taxes. For example, if your home and land is appraised at $350,000 and you qualify for a 20% homestead exemption, you will pay City of Arlington taxes on your property as if it was worth $280,000.

In total, Arlington residential property owners had more than $9.6 billion in value exempt from property taxes in 2025 through the City’s allowed exemptions. That's about 22% of the $42.9 billion in total taxable value of all properties within the City for that year.

A new exemption approved by the City Council in May 2024 will provide an additional $3.7 million in property tax relief for eligible childcare providers in Arlington.

How do I apply for an exemption?

Property owners may file an application for homestead, disabled, veteran and over 65 exemptions on the Tarrant Appraisal District website, https://www.tad.org. There is no fee for filing a residence homestead exemption application. For questions, contact a Tarrant Appraisal District Exemptions Specialist at 817-284-4063 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Para asistencia en Español, llame al 817-284-4063.

Tarrant Appraisal District website

 

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