Exemptions

Homestead Exemption

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. Homestead exemptions are deducted from the assessed value of the qualifying property (40% of the fair market value).

To receive the benefit of the homestead exemption, the taxpayer must file an initial application. In Lowndes County the application is filed with the Board of Tax Assessors office. With respect to all of the homestead exemptions, the Board of Tax Assessors makes the final determination as to eligibility; however, if the application is denied the taxpayer must be notified and an appeal procedure then is available for the taxpayer.

Georgia law allows for the year-round filing of homestead applications but the application must be received by April 1 of the year for which the exemption is first claimed by the taxpayer. Homestead applications received after that date will be applied to the next tax year.

Once granted, the homestead exemption is automatically renewed each year and the taxpayer does not have to apply again unless there is a change of residence, ownership, or 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. These are called State Exemptions. In addition, local governments are authorized to provide for increased exemption amounts. These are called Local County Exemptions. Lowndes County has such local county exemptions. The Local County Exemptions supersede the State Exemptions when the Local Exemption amount is greater than the State Exemption amount. The Tax Commissioner or Board of Tax Assessors can answer questions regarding the standard exemptions as well as any local exemptions that are in place.

Available Lowndes County Homesteads (these are State & Local exemptions combined):

Standard Homestead EXEMPTION (S1)

• No income requirements
• Amounts deducted from Assessed Value (40% FMV): County-$6,000; School-$6,000

Disabled Veterans (S5, SD, SS)

• Must be 100% disabled-service connected
• Letter from Veteran Affairs verifying disability
• Unremarried surviving spouse or minor children may also qualify
• Amounts deducted from Assessed Value (40% FMV): County-up to $100,896; School-up to $100,896

ELDERLY EXEMPTIONS

Local Elderly Exemption (SC)

• Age 65 and over prior to January 1 of year applied
• Amount deducted from Assessed Value (40% FMV): County-$10,000; School-$10,000

Standard Elderly Exemption (S4)

• Age 65 and over prior to January 1 of year applied
• Net income cannot exceed $10,000
• Amounts deducted from Assessed Value (40% FMV): County-$10,000; School-$10,000: School Bond-$10,000