Homestead Exemptions – Gilmer County Board of Tax Assessors

Homestead Exemptions

This information is a general overview of some exemptions available, contact the Gilmer County Tax Assessor’s Office for more information. To receive any homestead exemption, you must apply in person at the Gilmer County Tax Assessor’s Office or use the online application on this site.

Homestead exemption is one way to reduce the amount of property tax you pay on your residential property. In Gilmer County, if you own the property, reside on that property, and are a legal resident of the County, all as of January 1st of the tax year, you may qualify for homestead exemption.

Legal resident means that you are registered to vote and/or register your vehicles in Gilmer County. You cannot be claiming homestead at any other location in Gilmer 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 spouse’s name.

You must apply for any of the following exemptions. Filing for one does not carry over to a different exemption, especially age-based exemptions. You must file for each exemption as you qualify. Only one owner needs to meet the requirements to qualify for the full exemption. These exemptions are automatically renewed each year unless there is a change in ownership or you no longer meet the eligibility requirements. You do not need to reapply if you refinance your home. For all exemptions, the property must be in the name of the applicant.

To legally change ownership into your name, a new deed must be recorded with the Gilmer County Clerk of Court. If a change of ownership occurs due to death or divorce, the new owner must file the change with the Gilmer County Tax Assessor’s Office and reapply for the exemption they may qualify for. The amount exempted is deducted from the 40% assessed value of the property in the applicable categories.

The local county exemptions supersede the state exemption amount when the local exemption is greater than the state exemption.

To apply online: Choose PROPERTY SEARCH to the left. Search for your property by last name, address or parcel number. Once you have chosen the correct account and open that page you will see “Apply for Homestead Exemption” at the top of the page. Choose that option and follow the instructions. You will be required to upload a photo of your Georgia Driver’s License/ID and any other documentation needed for the exemption you are seeking. Your application is incomplete until you do so. If you have any questions or need further guidance you can reach our office at 706-276-2742.

Standard Homestead Exemption

Available to all homeowners who qualify by ownership and residency requirements
Exemption is $2,000 deducted from the 40% assessed value

Age 62-64 Income-Based School Tax Homestead Exemption

Available to all homeowners who qualify by ownership and residency requirements
Available to a homeowner 62 years of age or older as of January 1st, you may qualify for one of the following:
Total household adjusted gross income from all sources including social security and retirement does not exceed $20,000
Total household adjusted net income, excluding social security and retirement income, does not exceed $10,000
Exemption amount varies if homeowner qualifies for this school tax exemption
Must bring a copy of previous year’s federal and state income tax return to the Gilmer County Tax Assessor’s Office or provide it with an online application.

Income-Based Age 65 County Tax Homestead Exemption

Available to all homeowners who qualify by ownership and residency requirements
Available to a homeowner 65 years of age or older
Total household adjusted net income, excluding social security and retirement income, does not exceed $10,000
Exemption amount is $4,000
Must bring a copy of previous year’s federal and state income tax return to the Gilmer County Tax Assessor’s Office or provide it with an online application.

Age 65 School Tax Homestead Exemption

Available to all homeowners who qualify by ownership and residency requirements
Available to a homeowner 65 years of age or older as of January 1st
Income is not a factor for this exemption
Total exemption from the school tax

100% Disabled Veteran/Unremarried Surviving Spouse of Veteran Homestead Exemption

Available for all homeowners who qualify by ownership or residency requirements
Must provide proof of 100% disability from the Veterans Administration
Exemption amount changes annually

Unremarried Surviving Spouse of Fire Fighter or Peace Officer Homestead Exemption

Available to all homeowners who qualify by ownership and residency requirements
Available if such person’s spouse, who as a member of a qualified Fire Department or Peace Officer Agency, was killed in the performance of their duty
Documents from the agency must be provided
Total exemption from all taxes

Filing Period for all Homesteads: You may apply for exemptions year-round, however, you must apply by April 1st to receive the exemption for that tax year. Any application received after this date will not be processed until the next tax year.

DRIVER’S LICENSE OR STATE ISSUED ID IS REQUIRED AND THE ADDRESS MUST MATCH THE ADDRESS ON YOUR PROPERTY.