Danette O'Neal, PhD

FILING FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IN 2019

Homeowners may need to provide their Warranty Deed book and page, proof of residence, social security numbers, driver’s license and car tag info. In most counties, to be eligible for the current year, you must have owned and occupied the property as of January 1^st.  If the property is located within city limits, the homeowner may be required to file with the city as well.

Gwinnett County – deadline is April 1, 2019 – 770-822-8800 http://gwinnetttaxcommissioner.manatron.com/Tabs/Property/HomesteadExemption.aspx

Fulton County – deadline is April 1, 2019 -404-612-6440 http://www.qpublic.net/ga/fulton/basic_homestead.html

DeKalb County – deadline is April 1, 2019-  404-298-4000  http://web.co.dekalb.ga.us/taxcommissioner/homesteadgen.html#applications

Cobb County – deadline is April 1, 2019 – 770-528-8600
http://www.cobbtax.org/Forms/HtmlFrame.aspx?mode=content/Exemptions.htm&LMparent=189

Clayton County – deadline is April 1, 2019-  770-477-3311
http://www.claytoncountyga.gov/departments/tax-assessor/residential-property.aspx

Cherokee County – deadline is April 1, 2019  -678-493-6120 http://www.cherokeega.com/departments/department.cfm?displaySection=Homestead%20Exemptions.txt&departmentid=30

Henry County – deadline is April 1, 2019 – 770-288-8180                  http://www.co.henry.ga.us/taxcommissioner/PropertyTaxExemptions.shtml

Forsyth County – deadline is April 1, 2019 -770-781-2106
http://www.qpublic.net/ga/forsyth/homestead.html

Douglas County – deadline is April 1, 2019 –  770-920-7272
http://www.douglastaxcommissioner.com/

Fayette County – deadline is April 1, 2019 -770-461-3652 http://www.fayettecountyga.gov/tax_commissioner/index.htm

Paulding County – deadline is April 1, 2019 – 770-443-7606
http://www.paulding.gov/index.aspx?NID=210 

Homestead Exemption

Generally, a homeowner is entitled to a homestead exemption on their home and land underneath provided the home was owned by the homeowner and was their legal residence as of January 1 of the taxable year. (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-40)

Application for Homestead Exemption

To be granted a homestead exemption, a person must actually occupy the home, and the home is considered their legal residence for all purposes.  Persons that are away from their home because of health reasons will not be denied homestead exemption.  A family member or friend can notify the tax receiver or tax commissioner and the homestead exemption will be granted. (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-40)

Failure to apply by the deadline will result in loss of the exemption for that year.  (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-45)

Exemptions Offered by the State and Counties:  The State of Georgia offers homestead exemptions to all qualifying homeowners.  In some counties they have increased the amounts of their homestead exemptions by local legislation above the amounts offered by the State.  As a general rule the exemptions offered by the county are more beneficial to the homeowner.   https://etax.dor.ga.gov/ptd/adm/taxguide/exempt/homestead.aspx