Exemptions

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS
LOCAL DISABLE EXEMPTION

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS

Several types of homestead exemptions have been enacted to reduce the burden of ad valorem taxation for Georgia homeowners. These exemptions apply to homestead property owned by and taxpayer and occupied as his or her legal residence (some exceptions to this rule apply and your tax assessor’s office can explain them to you).

To receive the benefit of the homestead exemption, the taxpayer must file an initial application. In Lamar County, the application is filed with the Tax Commissioners’ Office. The application must be filed between January 1 and April 1 of the year for which the exemption is first claimed by the taxpayer. The homestead application is normally filed at the same time as the initial tax return for the homestead property is filed.

Once granted, the homestead exemption is automatically renewed each year. The taxpayer does not have to apply again unless there is a change in ownership of property or the taxpayer seeks to qualify for a different kind of exemption.

Under the authority of the State Constitution, several different types of homestead exemptions are provided. In addition, local governments are authorized to provide for increased exemption amounts and several have done so. The tax assessors office in Lamar County can answer questions regarding the standard exemptions as well as any local exemptions that are in place.

The Local County Exemptions supercede the state exemption amount when the local exemption is greater than the state exemption.

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FILING DATES ARE JANUARY 1st THROUGH April 1st.

Effective June 1, 2005 homestead exemptions may be filed for any time during the year. However, exemptions must be filed for by April 1 to apply to the current tax year. You must still own and occupy the property as of January 1 to be eligible.

• S1 - Regular Homestead
  $2,000 off the county and school portion of assessed value. A property owner must own and reside at the property on January 1st. Surviving heirs qualify; also recorded sales contract-holders qualify. Must be primary residence of the owner.
• S3 - Elderly person 62 Years of Age
  $2,000 off the county portion of assessed value. $10,000 off the school and school bond portion of assessed value. The owner of the property must be 62 years old as of January 1st. Net income of husband and wife must be less than $10,000, excluding up to $91,728 in Social Security and retirement pensions.
  *Homestead application must be filled out completely
  • Must have a copy of their 1040 form or sign an income affidavit
  • Must have a copy of their driver's license
• L4 - Elderly person 65 Years of Age $20,000 off the county portion of assessed value.(4,000 state homestead + 16,000 county exemption).$10,000 off the school and school bond portion of assessed value. The owner of the property must be 65 years old as of January 1st. Net income of husband and wife must be less than $10,000, excluding up to $91,728 in Social Security and retirement pensions. *Homestead application must be filled out completely
  • Must have a copy of their 1040 form or sign an income affidavit
  • Must have a copy of their driver's license

Disable Veteran Exemption

S5 - Disabled Veteran

SS - Surviving Spouse of a Veteran

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR LOCAL EXEMPTIONS, MUST MEET THE STATE REQUIREMENTS FIRST.

LOCAL DISABLE EXEMPTION

Total household income of husband and wife must be less than $20,000

*A property owner must have either a letter from 2 physicians stating 100% disability or a letter from social security declaring 100% disability*
*Must a have a copy of their 1040 form or sign an income affidavit*

L2 - Disable Person - No age requirement
$2,000 off the county portion of assessed value.
$17,000 off the school portion of assessed value.
(2,000 state homestead + 15,000 school exemption)

L3 - Disable Person - Age reuirement 62 years old or older --- 62 as of Jan 1st
$25,000 off the school portion of assessed value.
(2,000 state homestead + 8,000 state age + 15,000 school exemption)
$10,000 off the school bond portion of assessed value.
(2,000 state homestead + 8,000 state age)
$2,000 off the county portion of assessed value.

L5 - Disable Person - Age requirement 65 years old or older --- 65 as of Jan 1st
$25,000 off the school portion of assessed value.
(2,000 state homestead + 8,000 state age + 15,000 school exemption)
$10,000 off the school bond portion of assessed value.
(2,000 state homestead + 8,000 state age)
$20,000 off the county portion of assessed value.
(4,000 state homestead + 16,000 county)

LD - Disable Person - Age requirement 70 years old or older --- 70 as of Jan 1st
$25,000 off the school portion of assessed value.
(2,000 state homestead + 8,000 state age + 15,000 school exemption)
$10,000 off the school bond portion of assessed value.
(2,000 state homestead + 8,000 state age)
$20,000 off the county portion of assessed value.
(4,000 state homestead + 16,000 county)

LOCAL COUNTY EXEMPTION FOR OVER 65 YEARS OLD - 20,000 Exemption for county M & O only

LC - County exemption over 65 years of age –-- 65 as of Jan 1st
$20,000 off the county portion of assessed value.
(2,000 state homestead + 18,000 county exemption)
$2,000 off the school portion of assessed value.
$0 off the school bond portion of assessed value.

LOCAL SCHOOL EXEMPTION FOR OVER 70 YEARS OLD - 8,000 off school M & O and School Bond

LS - County/School exemption over 70 years of age --- 70 as of Jan 1st
$10,000 off the school portion of assessed value. (2,000 state homestead + 8,000 school)
$8,000 off the school bond portion of assessed value.
$20,000 off the county portion of assessed value. ($2,000 state homestead + 18,000 county)

L7 - Elderly person 70 years of age --- 70 as of Jan 1st
$20,000 off the county portion of assessed value.
($4,000 state homestead + 16,000 county)
$18,000 off the school portion of assessed value.
(10,000 state homestead + 8,000 school exemption)
$18,000 off the school bond portion of assessed value.
($10,000 state homestead + 8,000 school exemption)

Net income of husband and wife must be less than $10,000, excluding up to $91,728 in Social Security and retirement pensions.

*Homestead application must be filled out completely
*Must have a copy of their 1040 form or sign an income affidavit
*Must have a copy of their driver's license

With respect to all 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.

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