Exemptions - Property Taxes | Cobb County Tax Commissioner (2024)

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City Exemptions Not Eligible FAQs

Note:The online application is down for maintenance nightly between 12:00 midnight and 5:30am.

Before you apply for homestead exemptions, be sure you meet the following criteria: Youown, reside and claimthe property as your primary legal residence onJanuary 1.

Applying for homestead exemptions can be done in just a few simple steps.

  1. Confirm all applicants’ names appear on the deed to the property.
  2. Complete the online application. Be sure to apply for only the exemption type for which you are eligible.
  3. Provide a qualifying document to show proof of residency.

Once your application is submitted, we will review and determine if you qualify and inform you if additional documentation is required. It is important that you apply by April 1 in order to review exemption for the current year. Failure to properly and timely file the application constitutes a waiver of the exemption for that year.

Printed applications are accepted via mail or dropped off in-person at one of the property locations. Applications sent by mail must be USPS postmarked by April 1 of the year of filing. We do not accept metered or kiosk postmarks as proof of timely mailing.

City Exemptions

Residents of a city must apply for the city exemptions directly with the city tax office. Questions about exemptions affecting city taxes should be directed to the appropriate city.

Qualifying for Homestead Exemptions
In order to qualify for homestead exemptions, you must provide proof of the following:

  • A copy of your Georgia driver’s license showing you are a permanent and legal resident of both Cobb County and the state of Georgia. The driver’s license must also reflect the property address for which you are claiming the homestead exemption.
  • A copy of your current registration or tax receipt for all vehicles you own showing that you paid motor vehicle taxes in Cobb County. This proof is in accordance with Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-444) which states, "Each motor vehicle owned by a resident of this state shall be returned in the county where the owner claims homestead exemption."

Under Georgia law, exemption applications must receive final approval by the Board of Assessors. If denied, you shall have the right of appeal to the county Board of Equalization as provided inO.C.G.A. § 48-5-311.

Once approved, the homestead exemption isautomatically renewed each yearas long as you continually occupy the home under the same ownership. The only time you must reapply for an exemption is if there is a change in ownership, residence or you wish to qualify for a higher exemption.

Not Eligible

You are not eligible to apply for a homestead exemption if you or your spouse already claim a homestead exemption in another county or state. If you are claiming elsewhere, you must first notify the appropriate authority and provide a letter from that county or state reflecting exemptions have been removed. Property owners found to be claiming homestead exemption on more than one property will be subject to penalties and interest on any taxes saved.You cannot apply for a homestead exemption on a rental property. Any person who makes any false statement or false representation of a material fact in support of a claim for exemption, or knowingly assists another in the preparation of any false or fraudulent claim, or enters into any collusion with another by the execution of a fictitious deed, deed of trust, mortgage or otherwise, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition, such property shall be taxed in an amount double the tax otherwise to be paid. (O.C.G.A. 48-5-51).

Types of Homestead Exemptions

Exemptions - Property Taxes | Cobb County Tax Commissioner (1)
Cobb County Basic Homestead
This is a $10,000 exemption in the county general and school general tax categories. The 2020 Basic Homestead Exemption is worth $273.60. In addition, you are automatically eligible for a $10,000 exemption in the school general tax category. When applying you must provide proof of Georgia residency.

Exemptions - Property Taxes | Cobb County Tax Commissioner (2)
Cobb County School Tax (Age 62)

This is an exemption from all taxes in the school general and school bond tax categories. In order to qualify, you must be62years of ageon or before January 1of the current tax year. When applying you must provideproof of age.

Exemptions - Property Taxes | Cobb County Tax Commissioner (3)
Cobb County $22,000 Disability

This is a $22,000 exemption in all tax categories except the state. In order to qualify, you must bedisabled on or before January 1and your annualnet income cannot exceed $12,000for the immediately preceding year. This includes income of your spouse but does not include income received as a result of the disability; e.g. disability retirement. When applying you must provideproof of income and a doctor’s certificatestating that you are disabledand that you areunable to be gainfully employedandlikely to remain permanent.

Exemptions - Property Taxes | Cobb County Tax Commissioner (4)
State Senior Age 65 $4,000 ($10,000 Income Limit)
This is a $4,000 exemption in the state, county bond, and fire district tax categories. In order to qualify, you must be 65 years of age on or before January 1 and your annual net income cannot exceed $10,000 for the immediately preceding tax year. This includes income of your spouse but does not include Social Security or retirement income. When applying , you will need to complete an Age 65 $4,000 Exemption Income affidavit.

Exemptions - Property Taxes | Cobb County Tax Commissioner (5)
State Veteran's Disability
This is a set exemption in all tax categories. In order to qualify, you must have 100% service-connected disability, be compensated at 100% due to unemployability, or be a disabled veteran as defined by O.C.G.A. § 48-5-48. When applying you must provide a letter from the Veteran’s Administration indicating the effective date of the Veteran’s 100% service-connected disability.

Exemptions - Property Taxes | Cobb County Tax Commissioner (6)
State Surviving Spouse
This is an exemption in all tax categories. In order to qualify, you must be the un-remarried surviving spouse or minor child(ren) of a member of the U.S. armed forces killed in any war or conflict or died as a result of service-connected injury or illness (as defined inO.C.G.A. § 48-5-52.1)and are receivingspousal benefits from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs. When applying you must provide a letter from the Secretary of Defense evidencing the un-remarried surviving spouse or minor child(ren) is receiving spousal benefits as a result of the death of their spouse.

Exemptions - Property Taxes | Cobb County Tax Commissioner (7)
State Surviving Spouse of a Peace Officer or Firefighter Killed in the Line of Duty
This is an exemption for the full value of the homestead. In order to qualify, you must be theun-remarried surviving spouseof apeace officer or firefighterkilled in the line of duty. When applying you must provide a copy of the death certificate and documentation from the municipality evidencing the Firefighter or Peace Officer was killed in the line of duty.

Exemptions - Property Taxes | Cobb County Tax Commissioner (2024)

FAQs

At what age do seniors stop paying property taxes in Georgia? ›

You must be 65 years old as of January 1 of the application year.

How do you qualify for property tax exemption in Florida? ›

Homestead Exemption: Every person who has legal or equitable title to real property in the State of Florida and who resides thereon and in good faith makes it his or her permanent home is eligible to receive a homestead exemption of up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes.

Who qualifies for property tax exemption in Georgia? ›

To receive the homestead exemption for the current tax year, the homeowner must have owned the property on January 1 and filed the homestead application by the same date property tax returns are due in the county.

How do I get property tax exemption in California? ›

To claim the exemption, the homeowner must make a one-time filing with the county assessor where the property is located. The claim form, BOE-266, Claim for Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption, is available from the county assessor.

Which Georgia counties have senior school tax exemption? ›

Senior Tax Breaks by County
  • Cobb: Complete exemption from all school tax at 62; additional exemptions may be available. ...
  • Douglas: Complete exemption from all school tax at 62; additional exemptions may be available. ...
  • Forsyth: Complete exemption from all school tax at 65; additional exemptions may be available.
Apr 30, 2013

How to lower property taxes in Georgia? ›

A homestead exemption can give you tax breaks on what you pay in property taxes. A homestead exemption reduces the amount of property taxes homeowners owe on their legal residence. You must file with the county or city where your home is located.

At what age do you stop paying property taxes in FL? ›

You are 65 years of age, or older, on January 1; You qualify for, and receive, the Florida Homestead Exemption; Your total 'Household Adjusted Gross Income' for everyone who lives on the property cannot exceed statutory limits.

How can I reduce my property taxes in Florida? ›

When someone owns property and makes it his or her permanent residence or the permanent residence of his or her dependent, the property owner may be eligible to receive a homestead exemption that would decrease the property's taxable value by as much as $50,000.

What is the $5 000 property tax exemption in Florida? ›

Property to the value of $5,000 of every widow, widower, blind person, or totally and permanently disabled person who is a bona fide resident of this state is exempt from taxation. See Form DR-501. (see section 196.202, F.S.)

At what age do you stop paying state taxes in Georgia? ›

A retirement exclusion is allowed provided the taxpayer is 62 years of age or older, or the taxpayer is totally and permanently disabled.

What tax breaks do seniors get in Georgia? ›

Yes. Georgia offers a tax exclusion on up to $35,000 of retirement income earned by people 62 to 64, or up to $65,000 earned by those 65 and older. (If you're married, you and your spouse both may qualify, but each must qualify separately.

Can you have two homestead exemptions in Georgia? ›

You cannot be claiming homestead at any other location in Forsyth County or in any other County or State. If you and your spouse own more than one home, you CANNOT claim multiple exemptions, even if one house is in your name and the other is in your spouses name.

Do 65 year olds pay property taxes in California? ›

Persons who are over-65 years of age or disabled persons may file for additional exemptions and a ceiling on school, county and city taxes for their residential homestead if they become 65 during the year. Over-65 persons should apply for this exemption at the appraisal district office.

What is the $7000 property tax exemption in California? ›

Property taxes are based on the assessed value of your property. The Homeowners' Exemption reduces your property taxes by deducting $7,000 from your property's assessed value before applying the tax rate, and given the one percent statewide property tax rate, this generally equates to $70 in property tax savings.

What is the age 55 property tax rule in California? ›

Proposition 19 allows homeowners who are 55 years of age or older the ability to transfer their Proposition 13 assessed value from their current primary residence to a replacement primary residence when certain conditions are met.

How old do you have to be to get homestead exemption in Georgia? ›

Homestead Exemptions
TypeQualificationAmount
General & School (GS-1) 1985 GA Laws, pg. 4,140 & 4.411Must reside at property; and be 62 or older and household income (of you, your spouse, and resident family members) of any type cannot exceed $25,000$50,000
11 more rows

How much does homestead exemption save you in Georgia? ›

The standard homestead exemption in Georgia is $2,000. This $2,000 is deducted from the 40% assessed value of the homestead.

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