Homestead Exemption
The term homestead exemption refers to exemptions from property tax that homeowners can claim on their primary residence. The state of Georgia exempts a certain amount of the value of your property upon which a property tax is base, that is being used as a primary residence. Homeowners can find the homestead exemption application on the state website or their county website. Homeowners can file for their homestead exemption at any time, but the deadline to file for the current year is April 1. The application form is to be filed with your county tax commissioner or county board of tax assessors.
Do I need to file every year?
No. Once you have been granted the exemption, and as long as you continue to own and occupy the property on a continuing basis, there is no need to re-file a claim.
How much do I save with homestead exemption?
The homestead exemption allows you to save on property taxes by allowing you to exclude a portion of your home’s value from assessment. In Georgia, the homestead exemption varies by county. Several counties offer additional homestead exemptions to senior citizens. Homeowners must apply for and receive regular homestead in order to qualify for the exemptions, and will need to provide required documentation. Please note that several of the senior exemptions are based on income.and vary by county.
CHEROKEE
Homeowners age 62 and older can apply for an additional Elderly School Exemption and qualified residents over 65 may qualify for a Double Homestead Exemption.
COBB
Homeowners age 62 and older may receive an exemption from Cobb County School Tax. Homeowners age 65 that are eligible can apply for a $4,000 exemption in the state, county bond and fire district tax categories.
FORSYTH
Homeowners age 62 and older may be eligible for school tax exemptions that are based on income. Homeowners who are 65 years of age on or before January 1 are entitled to a full exemption in the school general and bond tax categories. In addition, homeowners who are 65 years of age on or before January 1 may be eligible for a double homestead exemption up to a specified income level.
FULTON
Fulton County offers residents 62 and over a variety of additional exemptions based on age and income. The exemptions vary depending on whether the homeowner lives within the Atanta city limits or Fulton County. You can visit their website at http://www.qpublic.net/ga/fulton/programs.html.
PAULDING
Paulding County offers several exemptions for senior citizens reaching 65 as of January 1. Upon reaching age 65, a senior may be eligible for other exemptions. Senior exemptions are based upon income.
COUNTY WEBSITES
Cherokee
http://www.cherokeega.com/Tax-Assessors-Office/homestead-exemptions
Cobb
https://www.cobbtax.org/property/exemptions
Forsyth
http://www.forsythco.com/Departments-Offices/Board-of-Assessors/Homestead-Exemption
Fulton
http://www.qpublic.net/ga/fulton/programs.html
Paulding
http://www.paulding.gov/index.aspx?NID=210