Homestead Exemption

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS

There are several types of homestead exemptions. These exemptions apply to homestead property owned by a taxpayer and occupied as his or her legal residence.

Homestead exemptions may be filed anytime during the year. However, exemption must be filed before April 1 to apply to the current tax year. You must still own and occupy the property as of January 1 to be eligible.

Homestead Exemption Form – Click Here

• Standard Homestead Exemption - The home of a resident of Georgia that is actually occupied and used as the primary residence of the owner may be granted a $2,000 exemption from state, county and school taxes except from school taxes levied by municipalities and except to pay interest on and to retire bonded indebtedness. The $2,000 is deducted from the 40% assessed value of the homestead. The owner of a dwelling house of a farm that is granted homestead exemption may also claim a homestead exemption in participation with the program of rural housing under contract with the local housing authority. (O.C.G.A 48-5-44)
• Double Homestead Exemption– Individuals 65 year of age or over may claim a $4,000 exemption from state and county ad valorem taxes if the income of that person and his spouse does not exceed $10,000 for the prior year. Income from retirement sources, pensions, and disability income is excluded up to the maximum amount allowed to be paid to an individual and his spouse under the federal Social Security Act. The social security maximum for 2019 is $68,664. The owner must notify the Tax Assessors office if for any reason they no longer meet the requirements for this exemption. (O.C.G.A. 48-5-47
• School Tax Exemption – An individual's 62 years of age or over that are residents of each independent school district may claim an additional exemption from ad valorem taxes for educational purposes and to retire school bond indebtedness if the income of that person and his spouse does not exceed $10,000 for the prior year. Income from retirement sources, pensions, and disability income is excluded up to the maximum amount allowed to be paid to an individual and his spouse under the federal Social Security Act. The social security maximum benefit for 2019 is $68,664. The owner must notify the tax assessors’ office if for any reason they no longer meet the requirements for this exemption. This exemption may not exceed $10,000 of the homestead's assessed value. (O.C.G.A. 48-5-52)
• Homestead Exemption for Disabled Veterans - Any qualifying disabled veteran may be granted an exemption of $85,645 from paying property taxes for state, county, municipal, and school purposes. The value of the property in excess of this exemption remains taxable. This exemption is extended to the unremarried surviving spouse or minor children. (O.C.G.A. 48-5-48)
• Homestead Exemption for Unremarried Surviving Spouse - The surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces who was killed in any war or armed conflict will be granted a homestead exemption from all ad valorem taxes for state, county, municipal and school purposes in the amount of $85,645. The surviving spouse will continue to be eligible for the exemption as long as they do not remarry. (O.C.G.A. 48-5-52.1)

In addition to the various homestead exemptions that are authorized, the law provides a Property Tax Deferral Program whereby qualified homestead property owners 62 and older with a gross income of $15,000 or less may defer but not exempt the payment of ad valorem taxes on part or all of the homestead property. Generally, the tax would be deferred until the property ownership changes or until such time that the deferred taxes plus interest reach a level equal to 85% of the fair market value of the property.

• With respect to all of the homestead exemptions, the board of tax assessors makes the final determination as to eligibility. If the homestead application is denied, the taxpayer must be notified and an appeal procedure then is available to the taxpayer.