Homestead Exemption in Cobb County GA

Homestead Exemption in Cobb County GA - Homestead Exemption is a reduction in the property tax you pay on your primary residence. Homestead exemption is one of the benefits of home ownership. None of the exemptions are automatic. You must apply for all of them. You can apply for exemptions anytime by mail or in person; but you have to apply by April 1 to receive the exemption for that tax year. If you don't file by April 1, you won't get the exemption for that tax year, no exceptions.

Thankfully, you don't have to file for exemption every year. Do it once and its automatically renewed. If a change in ownership occurs due to death or divorce, you've got to provide a copy of the recorded deed to the Tax Commissioner and reapply for any exemptions.

The Cobb County Tax Commissioner's office mails Homestead Exemption applications around the end of January to homeowners who purchased property the previous year. If you don't receive an application you can call 770- 528-8600 to request one or get one from the the Tax Commissioner's website.

To qualify you must own, occupy and claim the property as your legal residence on January 1 of the year for which you apply. So, if you closed on your new home by December 31, then you can claim the property for January as your residence.

Here are the rules:

1. You must pay your motor vehicle taxes in the county where you claim Homestead Exemption.
2. A current registration or receipt of motor vehicle taxes paid in Cobb County must be provided for all personal vehicles you own at the time you apply for exemptions.
3. You must provide legal evidence of residency and United States citizenship, such as a Georgia driver's license.
4. If you're not a U.S. citizen you must provide legal documentation from the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

An exemption can only be claimed on one property. Married people count as one, so homestead exemption can only be claimed on one property.

Homeowners can apply for most exemptions by mail, or you can visit the Cobb County Tax Commissioner's office at 736 Whitlock Avenue, Suite 100, Marietta, GA. The mailing address is P O Box 649, Marietta, GA 30061-0649. Applications can also be completed at the East and South Cobb Government Service Centers located at 4400 Lower Roswell Road and 4700 Austell Road. Applications must be received or postmarked by April 1, 2011 to affect taxes for the 2011 tax year.

• Cobb County Basic Homestead - Homeowners who meet the basic Homestead Exemption requirements are entitled to a $10,000 exemption in the county general and school general tax categories. The Basic Homestead Exemption was worth $257.70 in 2010.
• State Basic Homestead - Homeowners who meet the basic Homestead Exemption requirements are entitled to a $2,000 exemption in the state tax category.

More exemptions are available for:

• homeowners age 62 and over - exemption from taxes in the school general and school bond tax.
• homeowners 65 and over who have income of 10,000 a year or less.
• Disability
• Veteran's disability
• Veteran's disability surviving spouse
• Peace officce or Firefighter surviving spouse - for those killed in the line of duty

If you're thinking of buying or selling a home in Cobb County GA contact Jen Bowman, Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners at 404-456-5024.