Brian Vanderhoff's North Fulton Real Estate Blog

Your property tax bill is going up due to the state legislature voting against the Homestead Relief Grant. In the Gainesville Times, James Mills (R-Chestnut Mountain & Crazytown) complains: …he thinks the county’s insert explaining the suspension of the grant placed too much blame at the state level. Despite the fact that he voted for the grant to [...]


Your property tax bill is going up due to the state legislature voting against the Homestead Relief Grant.

In the Gainesville Times, James Mills (R-Chestnut Mountain & Crazytown) complains:

…he thinks the county’s insert explaining the suspension of the grant placed too much blame at the state level.

Despite the fact that he voted for the grant to disappear in the state legislature.

Bonus: James Mills’ competitor in the last election cycle responds in the comment section (copied below):

Since you will not answer my emails, let me answer your question here.

Mr. Mills, no reduction occurred with our property taxes, because you continue to vote for bloated budgets that contain unfunded mandates.

During the campaign, I laid out for you the exact amount that you raised our property taxes for each of the last six years. Your response was that I did not understand that state government is not responsible for property taxes. What is obvious is that you do not understand that your votes matter and your failure to fund the HTRG have now continued to raise our taxes.

Sir, please do not continue to act as if you are not responsible for the financial crisis that our state is now experiencing. You won the election, now act like it.

Sincerely,

Dr. Christopher R. Strickland
---
Brian and Jennifer Vanderhoff
North Fulton County REALTORS
Vanderhoff Real Estate
(770) 888-9269
---
Milton, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
North Fulton County, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
Forsyth, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
---

Labels: gainesville, Homestead, Homestead Exemption

If Alpharetta City Council has its way, homeowners will get another $10,000 in homestead exemptions, raising the total allowed on city property tax assessments to $40,000.

Due to the current economic situation, council decided to phase the $10,000 in exemptions over two years, starting in 2010.

"We need to take this one step at a time," said Mayor Arthur Letchas.

The next step after council voted Monday, Feb.16, to bring it before the city voters is to ask local state Rep. Chuck Martin, R-Alpharetta, to introduce a bill in the state General Assembly allowing the city to put the homestead exemption on the ballot for the general election Nov. 3.

Each $5,000 in exemptions cuts about $250,000 in potential property tax revenue to the city — so about $500,000 by 2012, according to the plan. Property taxes levied by the county and school board will not be affected by this city action. It pertains to city taxes only.

Meanwhile, the City Council still opposes action in the Legislature trying to cap property tax assessments and eliminate franchise fees assessed by the cities and counties. Council passed a resolution stating their objections to a franchise fee. Alpharetta passed a similar resolution Jan. 20 opposing property asssessment caps.

Councilman David Belle Isle said the Legislature is prodding its nose in the affairs that are clearly those of the cities.

"This [new exemption] should be a message to all of those under the Gold Dome who believe Alpharetta will not enact tax relief. Here's the proof. This is how we run our government," he said. "Left to our own devices, we will do the right thing."

Councilman D.C. Aiken said this was the way that the mayor wanted the council to drive tax relief to its citizens.

Labels: 10K additional, Alpharetta, Homestead Exemption

City homeowners have until March 1 to file their applications for Homestead Exemption with Fulton County, but only those who have not applied previously or who qualify for new exemptions need to fill out the paperwork.

There are four categories of exemptions: Basic, Senior Basic, Additional Senior and Full Value. To qualify for any Homestead Exemption, homeowners must have owned and occupied their home as their primary residence as of January 1 of the application year.

Applications must be filed with the Fulton County Tax Assessor's Office, not the City.

Basic Homestead Exemption
$15,000 off assessed value of the residence.
No age or income requirements.
Automatically extended to all City homeowners who have previously qualified for the County's Standard Exemption.
For homeowners not previously qualified, application with the Fulton County Tax Assessors Office for the County's Basic Exemption also serves as application for the City's Basic Exemption.
Senior Basic Exemption
$15,000 off the assessed value of residence.
Age requirement - 65 years or older as of January 1 of the year in which application filed.
No income requirement.
Automatically extended to homeowners who have previously qualified for the County's Senior $10,000 Exemption.
Application with the Fulton County Tax Assessors Office in person by March 1 for all other seniors.
Proof of age must be presented.
Seniors who are not eligible for the County's Senior Exemptions, or who have not even applied for them because their income is too high, should take special note of this Exemption and the filing requirements.

Additional Senior Exemption
$10,000 off the assessed value of residence.
Age requirement - 65 years or older as of January 1 of the year in which application filed.
Income limited to the maximum amount allowed under Social Security for an individual and spouse.
Automatically extended to any homeowner who has qualified for the County's senior $10,000 Exemption.
For homeowners not previously qualified, application with the Fulton County Tax Assessors Office for the County's senior $10,000 Exemption also serves as application for the City's Additional Senior Exemption.
Proof of age and income must be presented.
Full Value Exemption
Age requirement - 70 years or older as of January 1 of year in which application filed.
Also available to disabled individuals.
Income limited to maximum amount allowed under Social Security for individual and spouse.
Automatically extended to any homeowner who has previously qualified for the County's Full Value Exemption.
For homeowners not previously qualified, application for the County's Full Value Exemption also serves as application for the City's Full Value Exemption.
Proof of age and income must be presented.
Senior homeowners are also eligible for an exemption that eliminates payment of the .25 mill of property tax to the State of Georgia. The Fulton County Tax Assessors Office can provide details.

For details regarding eligibility requirements and proper methods of applying for Homestead Exemptions, please contact Fulton County Tax Assessors Office at 404-224-0102 or visit the Tax Assessor's Web site. The District 3 Office is located in the Royal 400 Office Park, 3155 Royal Drive, Alpharetta.

Labels: Fulton County, Homestead Exemption, march 1

The Homestead Exemption application form is available here.


Dear Milton Residents,
Several types of homestead exemptions have been enacted to reduce the burden of ad valorem taxation. To qualify, property owners must own and occupy their home as primary residence as of January 1, 2007.


Property owners already receiving the Basic Homestead Exemption from Fulton County need not reapply for the city’s exemption unless there is a change in ownership or the owner is applying for a different exemption. Applications for the Basic Homestead Exemption are to be filled out through the Fulton County Tax Assessors Office, and property owners must adhere to the deadlines established by Fulton County.


In order to be eligible for 2007 City of Milton Senior Homestead Exemption, property owners must file with the City of Milton between January 1, 2007 and May 31, 2007. Applications received after May 31st will become eligible for the following year.


The following exemptions are offered by the City of Milton:
Basic Homestead Exemption of $15,000 off the assessed value of your tax bill filed for through Fulton County.


Senior Basic Exemption of $15,000 is available to residents’ age 65 or older on or before January 1st of the year in which the application for exemption is submitted.


Additional Senior Homestead of $10,000 is available to homeowners who meet certain income requirements and are 65 or older on or before January 1st of the year in which the application for exemption is submitted.


Full Value Exemption is available to residents 70 or older on or before January 1st of the year in which the application for exemption is submitted. Certain income qualifications apply.


Homestead exemption applications for Senior or Disabled citizens must be filed with the City of Milton Treasurer’s Office by May 31st at 13000 Deerfield Parkway Suite 100, Milton, GA 30004. For additional information on eligibility of proper method of applying, contact the City of Milton at 678.242.2500.


Sincerely,
Carol R. Wolfe, CGFM, SPHR City of Milton City Treasurer/Director of Operations

Labels: Homestead, Homestead Exemption, milton, Property Taxes, Taxes