Bill > HB806

This bill provides a homestead tax exemption specifically for senior citizens (defined as 67 years or older) in the Oglethorpe County school district. The exemption applies to ad valorem (property) taxes for educational purposes, and would allow eligible homeowners to subtract their property's base year (previous year) assessed value from the current year's assessed value, effectively reducing their tax burden. To qualify, seniors must file an initial application with the Oglethorpe County tax commissioner, after which the exemption will be automatically renewed each year as long as they continue to occupy the home. The exemption does not apply to taxes for other purposes like county or state taxes, and will only cover the homestead property and up to one-half of a contiguous acre. Before the exemption can take effect, it must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote in both the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives, and then must pass a voter referendum in Oglethorpe County during an election no later than November 2025. If approved by voters, the exemption would become effective on January 1, 2026, and if not approved, the bill would be automatically repealed.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71491