When you purchase a home for your principal residence, you may apply for a "homestead exemption". If you are eligible for a homestead exemption, you may get $15,000 deducted from the appraised value for school taxes, $3,000 may be reduced for county taxes. There are also optional percentage exemptions from any taxing unit - city, county, school, or special district that may be given at the taxing unit's discretion.
Individuals 65 and older and/or disabled residence homestead owners may qualify for a $10,000 homestead exemption for school taxes, in addition to the $15,000 exemption for all homeowners. If the owner qualifies for both the $10,000 exemption for 65 and older homeowners and the $10,000 exemption for disabled homeowners, the owner must choose one or the other for school taxes. The owner cannot receive both exemptions.
Optional 65 or older or disabled exemptions: Any taxing unit may offer an additional exemption amount of at least $3,000 for taxpayers age 65 or older and/or disabled.
There is also a disabled veteran's exemption. To receive a disabled veteran exemption, you must either be a veteran who was disabled while serving with the U.S. armed forces or the surviving spouse or child (under 18 years of age and unmarried) of a disabled veteran or of a member of the armed forces who was killed while on active duty.
If you purchase a farm/ranch, you may already have an agricultural exemption or a wildlife management exemption. These will provide substantial savings to you should you qualify.
I you have any experiences to share about your exemptions or would like additional information about any of these, please let me know.