Just a friendly reminder to my fellow Forsyth County residents to file for your Homestead Exemption. In all the hustle & bustle of moving, it's an easy thing to forget. You may now apply for exemptions year-round, however, you must apply by March 1, 2008 in order to receive the exemption for 2008. Any application received after this date will not be processed until the next tax year.
All of the following required documentation must be presented to apply:
* a drivers license or picture I.D.
* a copy of a recorded warranty deed
* a letter from the county where you lived prior to moving to Forsyth County stating that the homestead in that county has been removed.
I also recently discovered that you may file your homestead exemption at the Tax Commissioner's Office located at the corner of Tribble Gap and Sawnee Drive. This is quite convenient if you also need to register your vehicle in the same building. You may also go to the Tax Assessor's office located in downtown Cumming, at 110 East Main Street to file.
Filing for homestead exemption is one way to reduce the amount of property tax you pay on your residential property. In Forsyth County, if you own the property, reside on that property and are a legal resident of the county, all as of January 1 of the tax year, you may qualify for homestead exemption. (Legal resident means that you are registered to vote and/or register your vehicles in Forsyth County.) You cannot be claiming homestead in any other location.
You must make an application for each exemption you would like to receive. Only one owner needs to meet the requirements to qualify for the full exemption. These exemptions are automatically renewed each year unless there is a change in ownership or you no longer meet the eligibility requirements. You do not need to reapply for exemptions if you refinance your home, unless ownership changes. For all exemptions, the property must be in the name of the applicant. To legally change ownership into your name, a new deed must be recorded in Forsyth County records. The amount exempted is deducted from the 40% assessed value of the property in the applicable tax categories.
If a change of ownership occurs due to death or divorce, the new owner must file the change with the Tax Assessors Office and reapply for any exemption granted in the previous owner's name.
A number of exemptions exist including regular $8,000 homestead, floating homestead, total school tax homestead exemption, state tax exemption and disabled veterans exemption. Contact the Tax Assessors Office for a complete list of and details on exemptions.
Office Hours:
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
I encourage you to visit the Forsyth County Government's website under
Tax Assessor's Office for further information.
