Deadline quickly approaching for Smyrna homeowners to file for their homestead exemption. You can apply for exemptions year-round by mail or in person; however, you must apply by April 1st to receive the exemption for that tax year.
Don’t fall prey to the misconception that the Georgia Homestead Exemption was eliminated.
If you purchased a home in 2009 or earlier, you still have about a week to file for the homestead exemption. If you purchased this year, you can file at any time this year, but the homestead exemption won’t take effect until 2011.
Applications not filed by the deadline constitute a waiver of the exemption for that year. Your closing attorney does not apply for you.
The Tax Commissioner’s office mails Homestead Exemption applications around the end of January to homeowners on record who purchased or transferred property the previous year. If you do not receive an application you can print one from Cobb County’s Tax Commissioner site or call (770) 528-8600 to request one.
To qualify you must own, occupy and claim the property as your legal residence on January 1st of the year for which you apply. The applicant’s name must appear on the deed to this property in order to qualify. By law, you must pay your motor vehicle taxes in the county where you claim Homestead Exemption.
Exemptions are automatically renewed and you need not reapply if you refinance your home.
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