|
Homestead Exemptions
Regular Homestead Exemption
Elderly Homestead Exemption
Floating Homestead Exemption - Age 62
State Tax Portion Exemption - Age 65
Elderly Exemption - Age 65
Local Elderly Exemption - Age 70
Local Elderly Exemption - Age 75
Qualified Disabled Veteran Exemption
Preferential Assessment
Conservation Use Assessment
Freeport Exemption
Additional Exemption Requirements
Contact Information
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS
Several types of Homestead Exemptions have been enacted to reduce the burden of ad valorem taxation for Georgia homeowners. The exemptions apply to homestead property owned by the taxpayer and occupied as his or her legal residence (some exemptions apply to this rule and your Tax commissioner can explain them to you.)
To receive the benefit of the homestead exemption, the taxpayer must file an initial application. In Walker County, the application is filed with the Tax Commissioner. The application can be filed during the year of the property becoming the primary residence up to and including April 1 of the following year. Once granted, the homestead exemption is automatically renewed each year unless the taxpayer seeks to qualify for a different kind of exemption.
Under 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 Walker County has done so. The Tax Commissioner's office and the Assessors' office in your county can answer questions regarding the standard exemptions as well as any local exemptions that are in place.
[back to top]
REGULAR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
a. Requirements: (1) Own your home and reside in it during the year in which you apply for the exemption. There are no age or income requirements.
b. Amount of exemption: Up to $2,000 off the assessed value for State, School and County.
c. Time for applying: The year of the property becoming the primary residence up to and including April 1 of the following year.
d. Where to apply: Walker County Tax Commissioner's Office.
[back to top]
ELDERLY HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AGE 62 (S3)
a. Requirements: ((1) Own your home and reside in it during the year in which you apply for the exemption. (2) Owner must be at least 62 years old on January 1 of the year of application. (3) The net income of both spouses cannot exceed $10,000 for the preceding year, excluding social security and pensions up to an amount set each year by the State.
b. Amount of Exemption: Up to $2,000 of assessed value of the property for State and County purposes and up to $10,000 assessed value for School purposes.
c. Time for applying: The year of the property becoming the primary residence up to and including April 1 of the following year.
d. Where to apply: Walker County Tax Commissioner's Office.
[back to top]
FLOATING HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION - AGE 62 (S8)
a. Requirements: ((1) Own your home and reside in it during the year in which you apply for the exemption. (2) Owner must be at least 62 years old on January 1 of the year of application. (3) Federal adjusted income of both spouses and any other family member living in the residence (such as son, daughter or other relative) cannot exceed $30,000 including social security and pensions. (4) GIVE UP ANY EXISTING HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR STATE AND COUNTY TAXES BUT NOT SCHOOL TAXES. IN MANY INSTANCES THE GRANTING OF THIS EXEMPTION WILL INITIALLY, AT LEAST, INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF TAXES LEVIED ON THE PROPERTY.
b. Amount of exemption: The difference in assessed value of the basic year (previous year assessment from the year application is made) and current year assessment on the primary residence and no more than 5 contiguous acres.
c. Time for applying: The year of the property becoming the primary residence up to and including April 1 of the following year.
d. Where to apply: Walker County Tax Commissioner's Office.
[back to top]
STATE TAX PORTION ELDERLY EXEMPTION - AGE 65 (SC)
a. Requirements: ((1) Own your home and reside in it during the year in which you apply for the exemption. (2) Owner must be at least 65 years old on January 1 of the year of application. (3) There are no income requirements.
b. Amount of exemption: Up to $2,000 of assessed value of the property for the School and County purposes each and 100% on home and up to 10 contiguous acres of land and $2,000 on balance of the value for the State purposes.
c. Time for applying:The year of the property becoming the primary residence up to and including April 1 of the following year.
d. Where to apply: Walker County Tax Commissioner's Office.
[back to top]
ELDERLY EXEMPTION - AGE 65 (S4)
a. Requirements: (1) Own your home and reside in it during the year in which you apply for the exemption. (2) Owner must be at least 62 years old on January 1 of the year of application. (3) The net income of both spouses cannot exceed $10,000 for the preceding year, excluding social security and pensions up to an amount set each year by the State.
b. Amount of exemption: Up to $10,000 of assessed value of the property for the School purposes and up to $4,000 of assessed value of the property for the County purposes and 100% on home and up to 10 contiguous acres of land and $4,000 on the balance of value for the State purposes.
c. Time for applying: The year of the property becoming the primary residence up to and including April 1 of the following year.
d. Where to apply: Walker County Tax Commissioner's Office.
[back to top]
LOCAL ELDERLY EXEMPTION - AGE 70 (L1)
a. Requirements: (1) Own your home and reside in it during the year in which you apply for the exemption. (2) Owner must be at least 70 years old on January 1 of the year of application. (3) The adjusted gross income of both spouses cannot exceed $15,000.
b. Amount of exemption: 100% of Primary residence and up to 5 acres of land for the County portion and no additional S amounts.
c. Time for applying: The year of the property becoming the primary residence up to and including April 1 of the following year.
d. Where to apply: Walker County Tax Commissioner's Office.
[back to top]
LOCAL ELDERLY EXEMPTION - AGE 70 (L3)
a. Requirements: (1) Own your home and reside in it during the year in which you apply for the exemption. (2) Owner must be at least 70 years old on January 1 of the year of application. (3) There are no income requirements.
b. Amount of exemption: Up to $50,000 of assessed value of the property for the School Purpose and includes any S exemption amounts.
c. Time for applying: The year of the property becoming the primary residence up to and including April 1 of the following year.
d. Where to apply: Walker County Tax Commissioner's Office.
[back to top]
LOCAL ELDERLY EXEMPTION - AGE 75 (L2)
a. Requirements: (1) Own your home and reside in it during the year in which you apply for the exemption. (2) Owner must be at least 75 years old on January 1 of the year of application. (3) The adjusted gross income of both spouses cannot exceed $15,000.
b. Amount of exemption: 100% of Primary residence and up to 5 acres of land for the School portion and the County portion and no additional S amounts.
c. Time for applying: The year of the property becoming the primary residence up to and including April 1 of the following year.
d. Where to apply: Walker County Tax Commissioner's Office.
[back to top]
QUALIFIED DISABLED VETERAN EXEMPTION (S5)
a. Requirements: ((1) Own your home and reside in it during the year in which you apply for the exemption. (2) Be a disabled wartime veteran who was discharged under honorable conditions and who has been adjudicated by the Veterans' Administration of the United States as being totally and permanently disabled and entitled to receive service connected benefits so long as you are 100 percent disabled. You must be receiving or entitled to receive benefits for 100 percent service connected disability. There are no age or income requirements.
b. Amount of exemption: Up to $50,000 of assessed value of property for State, School and County purposes.
c. Time for applying: TThe year of the property becoming the primary residence up to and including April 1 of the following year.
d. Where to apply: Walker County Tax Commissioner's Office.
ALSO AVAILABLE :
The Un-remarried surviving spouse (SS) of a Member of the Armed Forces Killed in any war or armed conflict.
The Un-remarried surviving spouse (SG) and (SE) of a Fire Fighter or Law Enforcement Officer Killed in the line of duty.
Contact the Tax Commissioner for information on the above exemptions.
[back to top]
PREFERENTIAL ASSESSMENT
a. Requirements: Tangible real property of 2,000 acres or less that is devoted to "Bona Fide Agricultural Purposes" may receive a preferential assessment. The owner has to sign a 10 year covenant dedicating the property for agricultural use for the ten years.
b. Amount of exemption: The assessed value of the dedicated property will be reduced by 25%.
c. Time for applying: The year of the property becoming the primary residence up to and including April 1 of the following year.
d. Where to apply: Walker County Assessor's Office.
[back to top]
CONSERVATION USE ASSESSMENT
a. Requirements: Tangible real property of 2,000 acres or less that is devoted to "Bona Fide Conservation Use Property" or tangible real property of 5 acres or less that is "Bona Fide Residential Transitional Property" may receive a conservation use assessment. The owner has to sign a 10 year covenant dedicating the property for conservation use or residential use for the ten years.
b. Amount of exemption: For conservation use property, the exemption is the difference between the conservation use value determined by the State and the market value determined by the Board of Assessors. For residential transitional property, the property retains its residential value as determined by the Board of Assessors.
c. Time for applying: The year of the property becoming the primary residence up to and including April 1 of the following year.
d. Where to apply: Walker County Assessor's Office.
[back to top]
FREEPORT EXEMPTION
a. Requirements: Inventories of goods in the process of manufacture, finished goods in the hands of the producer for 12 months, finished goods stored that are destined to be shipped out of Georgia within 12 months are eligible for this exemption.
b. Amount of exemption: 100% exemption for the value of the designated property.
c. Time for applying: The year of the property becoming the primary residence up to and including April 1 of the following year.
d. Where to apply: Walker County Assessor's Office.
[back to top]
ADDITIONAL EXEMPTION REQUIREMENTS
In the year of application for exemptions with income requirements, income to be reported is from the previous year. Income reported will have to be verified with Federal Income Tax returns, Georgia Income Tax returns, Social Security statements, Pension statements, Interest statements or any other income statements you may have. All such applications require the signing of an affidavit, under oath in the presence of a notary public UNDER PENALTY OF LAW.
In the year of application for the Veteran's exemption, applicants must present a letter from the Veterans' Administration defining their condition.
With respect to all of the homestead exemptions, the Board of Assessors makes the final determination as to eligibility; however, if the application is denied the taxpayer must be notified of an appeal procedure that is available for the taxpayer.
If you have any questions concerning these exemptions, please contact the Walker County Tax Commissioner's Office at (706) 638-2929.
[back to top]
|