Kaufman County residents who buy a home after Jan. 1, 2026, will not receive the homestead appraisal cap until 2028, according to the Kaufman Central Appraisal District.
The timing matters because the cap does not begin simply when someone buys a home. The district says it takes effect in the first full year after the owner occupied the property as a residence on Jan. 1.
What the cap limits
The homestead cap limits annual increases in assessed value to 10%, plus new improvements. It does not limit increases in the property’s market value.
That distinction means the district may determine that a home’s market value increased by more than 10% while the capped assessed value used under the rule increases by no more than 10%, apart from new improvements. The district explains the distinction in its homestead exemption guide.
What applicants need
Applicants generally must use the property as their primary residence and have a Texas driver license or state ID showing the property’s address.
Kaufman CAD does not charge homeowners to provide or file an exemption application.
