Senior Tax Breaks for Georgians
Thinking of moving from another state to Metro Atlanta or perhaps are even a local resident entering your 60s? Listen up! Consider the generous property tax exemptions offered to seniors in several Metro Atlanta counties. Here is a summary of Senior Tax exemptions for the bigger counties in Metro Atlanta for you to compare.
Homestead Exemptions
First, some overall notes about property taxes. All Georgia residents are eligible for homestead exemptions on their primary residence with the amount of the exemption varying in each county. These exemptions can generally save you a couple hundred dollars a year or more, again depending on the county.
Senior Property Tax Exemptions
Additional “Senior” tax exemptions are available that vary by county, in some cases starting as early as age 62 or as late as 70. When the exemptions apply to School taxes, the savings can be in the thousands!
Take Note
To apply for any exemptions, you must have lived in the home as of January 1. If there is an senior (age-related) exemption, one person on the deed must be the specified age as of January 1. Homebuyers should ALWAYS research for themselves tax information before purchasing to assure that exemptions are available for their individual circumstances. If you live in an incorporated town, additional city taxes may be applicable.
Senior Tax Breaks by County
All right, now with all that out-of-the-way, let’s get into the details for each county, starting with the counties closest to downtown Atlanta. When the county has a large Resort-Style Active Adult community, we’ve included that community:
Cherokee: (Soleil Laurel Canyon) Complete exemption on school tax at 62, currently on first $409,900 of home’s value; additional exemptions may be available. https://rem.ax/cherokeesrtax
Cobb: Complete exemption from all school tax at 62; additional exemptions may be available. https://rem.ax/cobbsrtax
DeKalb: Minor exemptions may be available based on age and income. https://rem.ax/dekalbsrtax
Douglas: Complete exemption from all school tax at 62; additional exemptions may be available. http://www.celebratedouglascounty.com/TaxCommissioner/
Fayette: (Cresswind Peachtree City) Exempt from half of school tax at 65. Other exemptions available. https://rem.ax/fayettesrtax
Forsyth: Complete exemption from all school tax at 65; additional exemptions may be available. https://rem.ax/forsythsrtax
Fulton: Some limited county and/or city of Atlanta exemptions may be available based on income & age. https://rem.ax/fultonsrtax
Gilmer: Minor exemptions available based on age. https://rem.ax/gilmersrtax
Greene: (DW Lake Oconee) Minor exemptions may be available. https://rem.ax/greenesrtax
Gwinnett: (Del Webb Chateau Elan– DWCE) Partial exemptions may be available at 62. Exempt from all school tax at 65, additional exemptions may be available. https://rem.ax/gwinnetsrtax
Hall: (Cresswind at Lake Lanier, Village at Deaton Creek, parts of DWCE) Complete exemption on school tax at 70, partial exemptions may be available at 62 and 65 depending on income. https://rem.ax/hallsrtax
Jackson: Minor exemptions may be available. https://rem.ax/jacksonsrtax
Paulding: Exemption from half of school tax at 65 and exempt for 100% of school tax at 70. https://rem.ax/pauldingsrtax
Spalding: (Sun City Peachtree) Minor exemptions may be available. https://rem.ax/spaldingsrtax
So if you are thinking of a move to Georgia, realize that our state is senior-friendly. Many counties have decided that since you no longer have school-age children and may be living on retirement savings, you deserve a break on your property taxes. As Active Adult Experts, we can help you sort through your housing options to make your next move a great one. Call us now at 678-252-9477 to explore the Active Adult lifestyle in Georgia.
One Last Note
This list was last updated November 2019 as an overview of various exemptions available to seniors in Metro Atlanta. Purchaser must file for exemptions prior to April 1 the year following your closing to receive exemptions. While believed to be accurate, the information here is not guaranteed. Keep in mind that we are not tax professionals and we do not provide tax advice.
Jean Ewing
Thanks for the information. There is a missing word at the bottom of the page in the sentence:
So if you thinking of a move to Georgia,
Kathy & Ben
Thank you! Please let us know if you would like additional information.
bonnie and henry mantell
Can you give me an approx estimate for yearly taxes (senior) in Canton at soleil at laurel canyon/ a 450.000 home?
Kathy & Ben
Hi Bonnie and Henry, thanks for your question. Soleil at Laurel Canyon is in Cherokee County, which offers the best tax incentive for Seniors in Metro Atlanta. After 62, you pay no school taxes on the first $377,000 in value of your home. It is a bit complicated to estimate taxes based on sales price because the counties in GA usually assess the home below the actual selling price. Soleil is within Canton’s city limits so additional city taxes apply. I did find one homeowner in Soleil that paid roughly $1600 in taxes (city and county combined) based on a home value of over $400,000.
We know Soleil and the Active Adult market in Cherokee County and surrounding areas and have sold both new and resale homes in Soleil this year. If you are interested in taking a tour of the property or would like us to mail you a brochure with all the floorplans available, call us at 404-323-0049 to make arrangements.
Karen
What are the tax breaks for 1st time seniors living i Newton County Ga. Thank you.
Kathy & Ben
Here is the site for Newton County exemptions: http://www.qpublic.net/ga/newton/exemptions.html
Shelton Stevens
Uh . . . your link to “ALL DEKALB COUNTY EXEMPTIONS HERE” above is a link to DeKalb County, ILLINOIS????
Got anything for DeKalb County, GEORGIA? Which really is where Decatur, Dunwoody, Stone Mountain, and parts of Atlanta can be found.
Kathy & Ben
Thanks for catching our error. We have corrected the link.
Patricia E. Robinson
Why can’t I find Fayette County anywhere in this information?
Thanks for the response.
Pat
Kathy & Ben
Sorry Pat, Fayette County is not in our market area. Try a google search.
Kathy & Ben
Hi Robert, we’re sending you a chart of Metro Atlanta counties that we cover that shows the exemptions- remember, each county sets its own criteria and amount of savings for seniors.
William Dannemann
Kathy & Ben, Please send me the chart as well as we are considering relocating back to the Atlanta area and have the same concerns as having previously lived in Roswell and Dunwoody. Bill
Kathy & Ben
Have sent you the chart and hope it helps. We are ready to assist you as Active Adult Specialists in North Metro Atlanta.
renee bowen
Would it be possible to see this chart as well?
Kathy & Ben
Sent you chart offline. Please let us know how we can assist you further.
Sue Huyer
currently exempt from school taxes as I am a resident of Forsyth County. I know that there are a lot of residents in a new subdivision next to mine that have “over 65” grandparents with children of school age residing and using the school system. Are these “elder citizens” (over 65 with children in residence eligible for the school tax exemption?