Harris County encourages homeowners to verify their eligibility for exemptions

Helping Sunnyside Residents Save on Property Taxes

On a recent Saturday morning, county employees were out in Sunnyside, going door to door to assist residents in saving on their property taxes.

The workers explained to ABC13 that their focus is on particular communities within Harris County.

A 2025 study highlighted a significant gap in homeownership and the burden of property taxes. It found that minority communities and those facing socioeconomic challenges often miss out on the homestead exemption. This could be due to a lack of education or access, leading them to pay more than what’s fair.

Harris County Tax Collector Annette Ramirez noted, “Many aren’t protesting their taxes, which means they’re likely overpaying.”

In response, a team from Harris County hit the streets to inform the community about potential tax breaks. There are more than 65 exemptions available, including the well-known homestead exemption.

Research from 2025, conducted by a coalition of 13 groups and ABC-owned stations, revealed that minority homeowners in Harris County paid around 20% more in property taxes, even with lower-value homes.

Eyewitness News spoke to Cynthia Cooper, who recently opened a hefty $35,000 property tax bill. She expressed that, “If someone had explained how this works to me… I think I would have grasped the homestead exemption earlier. It’s all pretty confusing,” she shared.

Ramirez emphasized the importance of spreading information quickly as the deadline for waivers approaches on Thursday, April 30th. But she stressed this is just the start of their efforts.

“I envision doing this monthly… my aim is to reach areas in Harris County that haven’t applied for these vital exemptions,” she mentioned.

Areas being targeted include underserved neighborhoods in the south, north, and northeast sides of the city.

Additionally, the Harris County Appraisal District has introduced an online tool, available at HCAD.org, where homeowners can figure out if they qualify for exemptions by answering a few simple questions, which leads them directly to the application process.

Officials in Harris County stated that obtaining these waivers could have a transformative effect for some families. For instance, a homeowner with property valued at $250,000 might see their taxes drop from $5,313 down to $3,020.