Dear George: I own a house in Texas, but I’m stationed in the Army in Arizona. Can I still claim a homestead exemption?

Answer: Depending on the length of your absence, you could still claim such an exemption. According to the taxpayer information published by the Texas comptroller, “If you temporarily move away from your home, you can still receive an exemption as long as you intend to return and do not establish another principal residence. Temporarily means an absence of less than two years. An absence for military service or a stay in a facility providing services related to health, infirmity or aging, however, may be longer.”