Georgia homestead laws allow creditors to exempt up to $10,000 worth of their home under certain conditions. For example, if your house is worth $100,000 and you owe $90,000 on your mortgage, you have $10,000 of equity in your home, and that equity cannot be taken by creditors.
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.
If you own and occupy property in Orange County and the property is your permanent residence as of January 1, applying for a Homestead exemption could reduce the assessed value of your Homestead property by up to $50,000, resulting in a tax savings of approximately $750 annually.
In order to qualify for a homestead exemption, the applicant's name must appear on the deed to the property and they must own, occupy and claim the property as their legal residence on January 1 to be eligible for any exemption for that tax year.
You must be 65 years old or older. You must be living in the home to which the exemption applies on January 1 of the year for which the exemption applies. Your net income, or the combined net income of you and your spouse must not be greater than $10,000 for the preceding year.
The Standard Homestead Exemption is available to all homeowners who otherwise qualify by ownership and residency requirements and it is an amount equal to $2,000 which is deducted from the 40% assessed value of the homestead property.
Property's parcel ID. Proof of residency, such as a copy of valid Georgia driver's license and a copy of vehicle registration. Recorded deed for new owners, if county records have not been updated.