Property tax
Homestead Exemption: What It Is and How to Claim Yours
A homestead exemption can cut your property tax bill. Learn how it works, how it varies by state, senior and veteran options, deadlines and how to apply.
Topics · 3 guides
Property tax
Your property tax bill is usually the second-biggest cost of owning a home after the mortgage. It is set locally, so the rules change from county to county, but the basic math is the same everywhere: an assessed value times a tax rate, minus any exemptions. These guides walk you through each piece and show you when and how to push back.
Property tax
How Property Taxes Work: A Plain-English Guide for New Homeowners
Learn how property taxes work: assessed value, tax rates and millage, levies, bills, escrow, exemptions and the 2026 SALT deduction, in plain English.
Property tax
How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment, Step by Step
How to appeal property tax assessment values step by step: read your notice, meet the deadline, use comparable sales, fix errors and prep for a hearing.
Frequently asked questions
Who sets my property tax bill?
Local governments do. Your county or city assessor sets the assessed value of your home, and local taxing bodies such as the county, city and school district set the rates. Your bill combines the two, minus any exemptions you qualify for.
Can my property tax go up even if rates do not change?
Yes. If your home's assessed value rises after a reassessment, your bill can rise even when the tax rate stays the same. Some states cap how fast assessed value can grow for a primary residence, so check your state's rules.
Is it worth appealing my assessment?
It can be if the assessor's record has errors or similar nearby homes are valued lower than yours. Appeals are usually free or low cost, but deadlines are short and set by your county, so read your assessment notice as soon as it arrives.
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