A new House bill in the Texas Legislature was filed that would give nuclear families with 4 or more children property tax breaks. There are qualifications, however, on who gets to benefit if this bill is passed. 

This homestead credit would only apply to marriages of one man and one woman. But, there is still a provision to that. Neither spouse can have been previously divorced. There is an exception for widows and widowers

Qualified children in the bill are children of any age, either natural-born children of the qualified married couple or adoptive children of the qualified married couple. The children have had to be born or adopted after the couple was married as well. This applies regardless if the child lives in the home, so probably if you have college students, or if the child dies.

Additionally, this is for those who own resident homesteads.

If the bill passes and becomes law, then the benefits will be for married couples with at least 4 children. This would start them at a 40% reduction of their property taxes. For every additional child, there is a 10% increase in reduction. So if you have 5 kids, then qualified families will have a 50% reduction in their property taxes. If you have 6 kids, then a 60% reduction.

Thus, if a qualified family has 10 or more children, then they have a full 100% reduction from property taxes. Because honestly, you’re gonna need that money. 

Parents are still qualified even if they become widows or widowers.

To apply, those who qualify have to yearly apply with the chief appraiser of their county and provide all the proof for their qualifications. 

Texas Representative Bryan Slaton wants to encourage the nuclear family in Texas and encourage child-making or adoption amongst families. In today’s world, people have become less inclined to have kids, especially as they move to cities and can’t afford or have room for it.

In a tweet by State Representative Slaton, he states, “Supporting Texas means supporting Texas families. Families are the building blocks of society. We must support families by making it easier for them to have and raise kids. With HB 2889, Texas will start saying: “Get married, stay married, and be fruitful and multiply.” #txlege”