This question is on behalf of another person who I am trying to help. People who know the answer, please help:

"I received a letter from the Appraisal District of my county stating that I am not receiving benefit of a homestead exemption of which I may qualify. This helps reduce property taxes for homeowners, right? Then they have an enclosed Application for Residential Homestead Exemption.

I bought the house as of July of last year and I was wondering when would this benefit me? Would it be the following tax year? As in 2012 or 2011? Do I need to send it right away??

I think I qualify for the General Residence Homestead Exemptions (To qualify for the general exemption, you must own the property and occupy it as your principal residence on January 1.

Filing Deadlines: File an application for residential homestead exemption between Jan 1 and April 30 of the tax year for which the exemption applies. You may file a late homestead exemption application if you file it no laterthan one year after the date taxes becomes delinquent"