April 1, 2010 is the deadline for accepting applications for homestead exemption for tax year 2010. Applications can be accepted year round but those received after April 1st will be applied to 2011 taxes. You can file at either of the two offices of the Tax Commissioner: (1) 11 North College Street in Pembroke or (2) 185 Richard Davis Drive in Richmond Hill.
The applicant for homestead exemption must own and occupy the home as of January 1, 2010. It must be occupied as a permanent residence and place of abode and must be the legal residence of the applicant for all purposes. This exemption can only be claimed on one residence.
Once granted, the homestead exemption is automatically renewed each year and the taxpayer does not have to apply again unless there is a change of ownership or the taxpayer seeks to qualify for a different kind of exemption.
In Bryan County we have local exemption that supersedes the state exemptions:
(1) Our local regular homestead exemption is available to homeowners who are not yet 65 years old and who otherwise qualify by ownership and residency requirements. It is a $2,000 exemption off the 40% assessed value on your State and School taxes and $30,000 off the 40% assessed value on your County tax. The value of the property in excess of such exempted amounts shall remain subject to taxation.
(2) Our local elderly exemption is for taxpayers who are 65 years old or older. The only requirements for this exemption are that the taxpayers must otherwise qualify by ownership and residency requirements and they must the 65 years old or older on January 1st of this tax year (2010). There are no income requirements. Proof of age (copy of driver’s license or birth certificate) is required. This is a $50,000 exemption off the 40% assessed value on your County and School taxes. The value of the property in excess of such exempted amounts shall remain subject to taxation.
There are other exemptions that may be available for taxpayers such as the Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption, the unremarried Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran, or the Surviving Spouse of a Peace Officer or Firefighter killed in the line of duty.
If you have questions concerning any of these exemptions, you can call our Pembroke office at 653-3880 or our Richmond Hill office at 756-2434.
The applicant for homestead exemption must own and occupy the home as of January 1, 2010. It must be occupied as a permanent residence and place of abode and must be the legal residence of the applicant for all purposes. This exemption can only be claimed on one residence.
Once granted, the homestead exemption is automatically renewed each year and the taxpayer does not have to apply again unless there is a change of ownership or the taxpayer seeks to qualify for a different kind of exemption.
In Bryan County we have local exemption that supersedes the state exemptions:
(1) Our local regular homestead exemption is available to homeowners who are not yet 65 years old and who otherwise qualify by ownership and residency requirements. It is a $2,000 exemption off the 40% assessed value on your State and School taxes and $30,000 off the 40% assessed value on your County tax. The value of the property in excess of such exempted amounts shall remain subject to taxation.
(2) Our local elderly exemption is for taxpayers who are 65 years old or older. The only requirements for this exemption are that the taxpayers must otherwise qualify by ownership and residency requirements and they must the 65 years old or older on January 1st of this tax year (2010). There are no income requirements. Proof of age (copy of driver’s license or birth certificate) is required. This is a $50,000 exemption off the 40% assessed value on your County and School taxes. The value of the property in excess of such exempted amounts shall remain subject to taxation.
There are other exemptions that may be available for taxpayers such as the Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption, the unremarried Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran, or the Surviving Spouse of a Peace Officer or Firefighter killed in the line of duty.
If you have questions concerning any of these exemptions, you can call our Pembroke office at 653-3880 or our Richmond Hill office at 756-2434.
Newman is tax commissioner of Bryan County