Bexar County Property Tax Calendar 2026: Key Dates Every San Antonio Homeowner Needs to Know

If you own a home in San Antonio or anywhere else in Bexar County, the property tax calendar is already in motion. Knowing where we are in that cycle, and what comes next, can save you real money and help you avoid missing deadlines that only come around once a year.

Let's walk through what the 2026 calendar looks like and what it means for you, whether you own in Alamo Heights, Helotes, Converse, Leon Valley, or anywhere in between.

We are currently in mid-to-late March, which puts us in a critical window. The deadline to file a homestead exemption, along with exemptions for homeowners who are 65 or older, disabled, or qualifying veterans, is April 30. That is roughly six weeks away. If you have not yet filed and you believe you qualify, now is the time to act. Do not wait until the last week of April.

The homestead exemption is one of the most valuable tools available to Bexar County homeowners. It reduces the taxable value of your primary residence, which directly lowers your tax bill. School districts across the county, including Northside ISD, North East ISD, San Antonio ISD, Southwest ISD, Judson ISD, and others, each apply their own tax rates to your appraised value. A lower taxable value means a lower bill across every one of those taxing entities.

If you purchased a home in 2025 and it is your primary residence, you may be eligible to file now for the first time. First-time filers are a group that frequently misses this deadline simply because nobody told them the clock was running. If you closed on a home in a neighborhood like Stonewall Estates, the Dominion, Sonterra, Stone Oak, or a newer development in far northwest or southeast Bexar County, double-check your exemption status before April 30.

The age-65-or-older exemption and the disability exemption carry added benefits, including a school district tax freeze that prevents your school portion of the tax bill from rising even if your appraised value goes up. Veterans with a qualifying disability rating may qualify for a partial or even total exemption depending on their rating. These are significant benefits, and the April 30 deadline applies to all of them.

Once April 30 passes, the next major date is May 15. That is the deadline to file a protest of your appraised value with the Bexar Appraisal District, unless your notice of appraised value arrives after April 15, in which case you have 30 days from the date on that notice. Appraisal notices are typically mailed in April, so watch your mail carefully if you live in the 78201, 78209, 78230, 78249, 78258, or any other Bexar County ZIP code.

Protesting your value is your right as a property owner, and it is more common than many homeowners realize. If your noticed value seems higher than what your home would actually sell for in today's market, that is grounds for a protest. You do not need an attorney or a professional tax agent to file, though both options exist. The protest itself is filed with the Bexar Appraisal District and can often be initiated online.

After protests are filed, Appraisal Review Board hearings run from May through July. During this period, a panel reviews your evidence and the appraisal district's evidence and makes a determination. Homeowners who prepared well, brought comparable sales, photos of property condition, or other supporting documentation, tend to have stronger outcomes.

Once the review board process wraps up over the summer, things quiet down on the homeowner side for a few months. Tax statements are mailed out sometime between October and November. That is when you will see the final numbers for the year, reflecting your appraised value, any exemptions applied, and the rates set by all the taxing entities that apply to your property.

For buyers currently under contract or shopping in Bexar County, keep the tax calendar in mind as you plan your timeline. If you close before April 30 and the home will be your primary residence, you may be able to file for a homestead exemption for this tax year. Ask your agent and confirm with the appraisal district.

For sellers, the exemptions you currently hold do not transfer. Your buyer will need to file their own application after closing. That is a conversation worth having during the transaction so your buyer understands the benefit waiting for them.

Renters do not file property tax exemptions directly, but the taxes your landlord pays affect the costs they carry. In a competitive rental market like San Antonio's, that relationship between taxes and rent is worth understanding.

The bottom line for Bexar County homeowners right now: April 30 for exemptions, May 15 for protests. Both deadlines are close enough that waiting is not a smart strategy. A few minutes of action today can protect your wallet for the full year ahead.