Are there license plates available for my branch of service?

Yes. The TxDMV website has a wide variety of plates for military branches, award recipients and more. Please visit their website by clicking here

How do I register my vehicle if I am coming from another state?

Simply fill out form VTR-272 complete with a photocopy of your proof of liability and in some cases, proof of current military orders.

I am new to Texas, is there a packet that can provide helpful information for new residents?

Yes, check out the military packet provided by the TxDMV website. It can be found here.

I'm listed as a Disabled Veteran greater than 80% for my property taxes. Why do I have to do extra paperwork to get my license plates?

Property taxes and vehicle registration are separate departments. Property tax is handled by our office according to the rules of the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD). The vehicle registration and Disabled Veteran plates are also handled by our office, but by the rules from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Registration and Title Division (TxDMV).

Our office accepts the Disabled Veteran application, along with the required attachments. We can ask the TxDMV to make the license plates for you and they can be connected to your vehicle after they arrive in our office. The cost is $3.00. This would be only for a set of specialty Disabled Veteran plates. This is for the first set of Disabled Veteran license plates.

Or, if you will send us the license plate number of the vehicle that will get your special plate, we can ‘connect’ the special plate to your vehicle. We will send you a registration sticker and a temporary plate to use on your vehicle. When the plates are manufactured the TxDMV will send the plates directly to your home.

If you order Disabled Veteran with a meritorious item, such as Navy, Marines, etc. there is an additional $3.00 fee. (Total $6.00)

(If you have 2 handicap placards you would be required to surrender one placard to get the Disabled Veteran license plates.)

How do I transfer the Military plates from my old car to my new car?

If you used your old car as a trade-in, you will need to pull those plates from the vehicle. It may take up to 60 days for your new vehicle to show in your name in the state system. You may call our office at 713-274-8000 around that time and give the clerk the plate number issued to you from the dealer. Once your name is on the record, you may visit any one of our 16 locations to turn in the original plates from your new vehicle.

What kinds of exemption are offered to veterans and military personnel?

100% Disabled Veterans: Certain disabled veterans are eligible for 100% exemptions for their residence homesteads. Current documentation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must be submitted to prove that the veteran receives full VA compensation and is either rated at 100% disabled or has a determination of un-employability from the VA.

Over-65 or Disability Exemptions: You may receive an over-65 or disability homestead exemption immediately upon qualification for the exemption. If you have not provided your birth date on this application, you must apply before the first anniversary of your qualification date to receive the exemption in that tax year. For example, if you turn 65 or are disabled on June 1 of the current year, you have until May 31 of the next year to apply for the current tax year’s over-65 or disability exemption. This special provision only applies to an over-65 or disability exemption and not to other exemptions for which you may apply.

• United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph
• United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph

Forms for Property

Forms for Auto

• TxDMV Military Packet
• Disabled Parking Placard & License Plate Form
• Application for Texas Title
• VIN Certification
• Foreign Vehicle Checklist

Delinquent Penalty and Interest Waiver Form

Applies To: Active Duty & Reserves

• Grants military personnel 60 days to pay their property tax without penalty and interest from the earliest date of the following four dates:
  • Discharge from active military service
  • Return to the state for more than 10 days
  • Return to non-active duty status in the Reserves
  • End of the war or national emergency

Eligible person means a person:

• on active military duty in this state or
• a person in the reserve forces who was placed on active military duty

who was transferred out of this state as a result of a war or national emergency declared in accordance with federal law.

Requirements:

Submit a completed waiver and a copy of your orders to our office.

Harris County Tax Office
Attn: Customer Service Department
P.O. Box 4663
Houston, Texas 77210-4663

NOTE: Failure to pay within the 60 day period results in the accrual of penalty and interest for the entire delinquency.

Residence Homestead Exemption Form

Requirements:

• If you own the home, and claim it as your residence homestead:
  
  Complete the Application for Residence Homestead Exemption and furnish the required documentation form no later than April 30th of the year for which you are requesting this exemption.

• If you are 65 years old or older you may qualify for an age 65 or older exemption:
  
  Complete the Application for Residence Homestead Exemption form, check the box for ‘AGE 65 OR OLDER EXEMPTION’ and furnish the required documentation as early as January 1st, but no later than April 30th of the year for which you are requesting this exemption.

• If you are disabled you may qualify for a disabled person exemption.
  
  Complete the Application for Residence Homestead Exemption form, check the box for ‘DISABLED PERSON EXEMPTION’ and furnish required documentation as early as January 1st, but no later than April 30th of the year for which you are requesting this exemption.

You may file a late application after the deadline for filing has passed, but no later than one year after the delinquency date.

100% Disabled Veterans Exemption

• Applies to: Disabled Veterans
• You may qualify for this exemption if you are a disabled veteran who receives from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its successor: (1) 100 percent disability compensation due to a service-connected disability; and (2) a rating of 100 percent disabled or individual unemployability.

Surviving Spouse of Disabled Veteran Who Qualified or Would Have Qualified For The 100% Disabled Veteran’s Exemption

• Applies to: Disabled Veterans Surviving Spouse
• You may qualify for this exemption if you were married to a disabled veteran who qualified for an exemption under Tax Code Section 11.131(b) at the time of his or her death and: (1) you have not remarried since the death of the disabled veteran and (2) the property was your residence homestead when the disabled veteran died and remains your residence homestead.

Donated Residence Homestead of Partially Disabled Veteran

• Applies to: Disabled Veterans
• You may qualify for this exemption if you are a disabled veteran with a disability rating of less than 100 percent and your residence homestead was donated to you by a charitable organization at no cost to you.

Surviving Spouse of Disabled Veteran Who Qualified For The Donated Residence Homestead Exemption

• Applies to: Disabled Veterans Surviving Spouse
• You may qualify for this exemption if you were married to a disabled veteran who qualified for an exemption under Tax Code Section 11.132(b) at the time of his or her death and: (1) you have not remarried since the death of the disabled veteran and (2) the property was your residence homestead when the disabled veteran died and remains your residence homestead.

Surviving Spouse of Member of Armed Forces Killed In Action

• Applies to: Veteran Surviving Spouse
• You may qualify for this exemption if you are the surviving spouse of a member of the United States armed services who is killed in action and you have not remarried since the death of the member of the armed services.

Disabled Veteran’s & Survivor’s Exemption

• Applies to: Disabled Veterans, Surviving Spouse or Child of a Deceased Disabled Veteran
• You may qualify for this exemption if you are a disabled veteran or surviving spouse defined as a veteran of the armed services of the United States who is classified as disabled by the Veterans’ Administration or its successor or the branch of the armed services in which the veteran served and whose disability is service-connected pursuant to Tax Code §11.22. A qualified individual is entitled to an exemption from taxation of a portion of the assessed value of one property the applicant owns.

Please refer to the website www.hcad.org for all applicable forms and any additional information.

Tax Deferral Affidavit Form

• Applies to residence homesteads (only), and to homeowners whom are age 65 or over, or who are disabled
• Homeowners whom are age 65 or over, or who are disabled can defer or postpone paying delinquent property taxes on their residence homestead for as long as they own the property and live in it.

Requirements:

• Show a valid driver's license, personal I.D., or provide your Social Security number