Homeowners in Cy-Fair pay property taxes to a variety of entities depending on where their homes are located. Property taxes are calculated using three main numbers:
  1. A property's appraised value, determined each year by the Harris County Appraisal District
  2. The combined tax rate of all the taxing entities covering the area
  3. All relevant homestead exemptions
The amount of taxes a homeowner has to pay is calculated by taking the appraised value, factoring in homestead exemptions and applying the tax rate, which is applied for every $100 in valuation of the property. Any taxing unit—including a school district, city, county or special district—may offer an exemption for up to 20 percent of a home's value. For instance, the Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees has continually voted to allow residents to take advantage of the full 20 percent exemption, while other Houston area school districts have offered 10 percent, 5 percent or offered the minimum of $5,000. Here are what homestead exemptions are offered by various taxing entities in the Cy-Fair area:

Cy-Fair ISD

  • 20% of appraised value plus the $25,000 general homestead exemption
  • Additional $25,000 for homeowners age 65 or older
  • Additional $25,000 for homeowners who are disabled

Harris County (exemptions can be applied to the general county tax as well as Port of Houston, Department of Education, Flood Control District and Harris Health System taxes)

  • 20% of appraised value
  • Additional $160,000 for homeowners age 65 or older
  • Additional $160,000 for homeowners who are disabled

Jersey Village

  • 8% of appraised value
  • Additional $50,000 for homeowners age 65 and older
  • Additional $20,000 for homeowners who are disabled

Lone Star College

  • $5,000 or 1% of appraised value, whichever is higher
  • Additional $75,000 for homeowners age 65 or older
  • Additional $75,000 for homeowners who are disabled
Here is a look at the 2016-17 tax rates for taxing entities in Cy-Fair. Some homeowners will also pay taxes to municipal utility districts and other special districts, depending on where their homes are located:
  • Cy-Fair ISD: 1.440000
  • Jersey Village: 0.742500
  • Harris County: 0.416560
  • Harris Health System: 0.171790
  • Lone Star College System: 0.107800
  • Harris County Flood Control District: 0.028290
  • Port of Houston Authority: 0.013340
  • Harris County Department of Education: 0.005200
So for example, a resident with a $200,000 home within Cy-Fair ISD would pay the school district around $2,880 without exemptions. However, after exemptions are factored in, the amount of taxes owed falls to $1,944. A resident who is age 65 or older would owe $1,584. Homeowners looking to apply for a homestead exemption can download the application form here. A full list of exemptions available through Harris County taxing entities—including MUDs and ESDs—can be found here.