San Antonio Blog
Bexar County property tax: how to read a BCAD record
Why two similar homes can have very different tax bills.
San Antonio
Many taxing units
A Bexar County parcel can carry city, county, school district and special-district taxes. The BCAD record lists them1.
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Small cities
Alamo Heights, Shavano Park, Leon Valley and others set their own rates234.
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Homestead
File for the homestead exemption after you move in5.
San Antonio
How much the homestead exemption saves
Texas school districts must give a $140,000 residence homestead exemption, and any taxing unit can add a local option of up to 20% of appraised value5. Owners 65 or older or disabled get an additional $60,000 school exemption5. For example, a home appraised at $300,000 with the $140,000 exemption pays school taxes as if it were worth $160,0005.
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When and how to apply
Apply with the appraisal district for the county where the home is. The general deadline is before May 1. If you buy after January 1, you may get the exemption for part of that year if the previous owner did not have it5.
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Protesting your value
If BCAD raises your value, it sends a notice of appraised value, by April 1 for a residence homestead or as soon as practical after that. In most cases you can protest until May 15 or 30 days after the notice is mailed, whichever is later6.
San Antonio
Before you buy
The current tax bill reflects the seller's exemptions, which may not carry over to you. Budget from the full rates of each taxing unit on the BCAD record1, then subtract only the exemptions you will qualify for. See the San Antonio buyer's guide.
Quick Answers
Bexar County property tax: questions answered
How do I look up Bexar County property tax for a home?
Search the address on the Bexar Appraisal District (BCAD) site to see the appraised value and exemptions, then check the taxing units listed on the record for their current rates.
How do Bexar County property taxes work?
Each parcel is taxed by several units, such as the city, county, school district and special districts, based on the BCAD appraised value minus your exemptions15.
How much is the Texas homestead exemption?
School districts must give $140,000, plus an additional $60,000 for owners 65 or older or disabled5. Other taxing units may offer local options.
When can I protest my BCAD value?
Usually until May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district mails your notice, whichever is later6.
Sources
Where these facts come from
Figures change. Verify details for a specific address with the official source before you decide.
- Bexar Appraisal District, Bexar Appraisal District (accessed 2026-10-15).
- Alamo Heights, Texas, Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-15).
- Shavano Park, Texas, Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-15).
- Leon Valley, Texas, Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-15).
- Property tax exemptions, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (accessed 2026-10-15).
- Appraisal Protests and Appeals, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (accessed 2026-10-17).