WE ARE ALREADY A MONTH INTO 2021! It’s hard to believe, I know, but as you’re moving forward don’t forget that if you purchased a home in Georgia in 2020 you have just a short time to file your homestead exemption.
What is a Homestead Exemption? This is a one-time exemption you can file that will allow you to receive a reduction in your home’s assessed value—which means savings over the years come property tax time!
Do I qualify for a homestead exemption? If you are a Georgia resident and either purchased a primary residence in 2020, or made a prior-owned home your primary residence before December 31, 2020, you may be eligible to file.
When do I need to file? That varies by county.
If your 2020 home is in Bryan or Effingham Counties, you need to file *now*, as you can only file prior to April 1, 2021. Please check below for your county and specific information on how to file.
If your 2020 home is in Chatham County, there are a few steps you will need to take to determine when you need to file. Please check below for specific information on how to file.
Bryan County
To file the Homestead Exemption in Bryan County (Pembroke, Richmond Hill, Black Creek, Ellabell, Keller, Southward and Fancy Hall), you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new address) to the Bryan County Tax Assessor’s Office in either Richmond Hill or Pembroke. The Homestead Exemption must be filed before April 1, 2021.
Richmond Hill Office
66 Captain Matthew Freeman Drive
Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324
912-756-3209
Pembroke Office
15 North Courthouse Street
Pembroke, Georgia 31321
912-653-3889
To determine whether Bryan County has an alternative to filing in person, please call the Tax Assessor’s Office directly.
Effingham County
To file the Homestead Exemption in Effingham County (Rincon, Guyton, Bloomingdale, Springfield, Clyo, Eden, Meldrim, Egypt, Shawnee) you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new address) to the Effingham County Tax Assessor’s Office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed before April 1, 2021.
Effingham County Tax Assessor’s Office
901 North Pine Street
Springfield, Georgia 31329
912-754-2125
To determine whether Effingham County has an alternative to filing in person, please call the Tax Assessor’s Office directly.
Chatham County
To determine whether it is the right time for you to file the Homestead Exemption in Chatham County (Savannah, Pooler, Bloomingdale, Port Wentworth, Garden City, Georgetown, Isle of Hope, Tybee Island, Skidaway Island, Wilmington Island, Whitemarsh Island, Talahi Island, Thunderbolt), please complete the following steps:
1. Go to the Chatham County Board of Assessor’s website at boa.chathamcountyga.gov.
2. Scroll about halfway down the page and click the Records Search & Online Filings tab. Read the disclaimer and select the Agree tab.
3. Type in your property address ONLY and click the Search button.
4. Once you locate your property, click on the address to open the link.
5. Locate and click on the Property Record Card (PRC) tab on the left side of the page.
6. Scroll down until you see Appraised Values. Locate the 2020 Tax Year and go to the Appraised Total in that same row (4th column). That amount is the 2020 fair market value. NOTE: Do not be alarmed if the Property Record Card (PRC) for your property is not in your name yet. The Tax Assessor will update its record to reflect the new owner during the first quarter of 2021.
7. Choose between the two options below that corresponds with your property’s Appraised Value and your purchase price:
1. Appraised Total is more than I paid
2. Appraised Total is the same or less than I paid
My property’s 2020 Appraised Total is more than I paid.
For those of you who bought a primary residence located in Chatham County in 2020 at a price lower than the 2020 Appraised Total, then do not file the Homestead Exemption in 2021 (however, if the difference between the 2020 Appraised Total and what you paid for the home is small, you likely should go ahead and file).
So why don’t I file yet? If you file the Homestead Exemption under these circumstances, you will stabilize your tax assessed value (also known as the Stephens-Day Exemption value) at an amount higher than what you paid for the property.
So, what do I do? Around mid-May 2021, you should receive a valuation notice (Annual Notice of Assessment) from the Chatham County Tax Assessor that shows the 2021 Current Fair Market Value as equal to the price you paid for the home. Assuming that is what the Notice of Assessment shows, you should file the Homestead Exemption between January 1, 2022 and April 1, 2022. Do NOT forget!
If for some reason the Notice of Assessment you receive does not reflect your purchase price (as there are a few exceptions), the Notice of Assessment will provide you instructions on how to appeal your home’s tax assessed value. You would want to file an appeal in an attempt to have the county reduce your home’s fair market value to your purchase price. Once the appeal process is completed and you are satisfied with the fair market value determined by the county then remember to file for the Homestead Exemption between January 1, 2022 and April 1, 2022.
If you have not received the Notice of Assessment by mid-May 2021, please contact the Tax Assessor’s office to ensure you know when those will be mailed (and confirm the mailing address that the county will mail it to).
IMPORTANT: Even if the 2020 Appraised Total is higher than what you paid for the property, there are certain circumstances in which you should still file. For example, if you qualify for a much larger exemption (i.e., disability exception), then that larger exemption may outweigh your decision not to file.
My property’s 2020 Appraised Total is the same or less than I paid.
If the 2020 Appraised Total is the same or less than what you paid for your home (assuming this is not new construction), you want to file for the Homestead Exemption on or before April 1, 2021. By filing for the Homestead Exemption, you will receive a reduction of your home’s assessed value each year going forward as long as you reside in the home as your primary residence. In addition, you will be able to stabilize your home’s assessed value (the exemption that stabilizes for home’s fair market value is known as the Stephens-Day Exemption). This is a good thing because this will prevent your home’s assessed value from significantly increasing over the years (as long as you do not apply for a building permit).
New Construction Homes: Often times when you purchase a new construction home, the county has not assessed the completed home, just the land value. Thus, when you look at the 2020 Appraised Total it may show a very low number (likely just the value for the lot/land). While you will not be able to take advantage of this super low value you still can and should file the Homestead Exemption. However, you MUST remember to obtain your Annual Notice of Assessment which the county will mail to you in mid-May 2021. The Notice of Assessment will have the Current Year Fair Market Value which will include both the land and building value. If that value is right around or less than what you paid for the home then there is nothing further to do (assuming you already filed for the Homestead Exemption). If that value is much more than what you paid for the home then you will need to file an appeal in an attempt to have the fair market value (for Stephens-Day purposes) reduced to your purchase price.
To file the Homestead and Stephens Day Exemptions in Chatham County, you will need your driver’s license and vehicle registration (both showing the new address). You will file online by following these steps:
1. Go to the Chatham County Board of Assessor’s website at boa.chathamcountyga.gov.
2. Scroll about halfway down the page and click the Records Search & Online Filings tab. Read the disclaimer and select the Agree tab.
3. Locate and click on the E-File tab at the top of the screen.
4. Click on the New User? Create an account tab to create an account.
5. Once an account has been created, select Homestead Application from the list of available filings. Click Begin Filing.
6. Type in your property address ONLY and click the Search button.
7. Once you locate the property, click Start Filing.
8. Follow all prompts to complete the application, clicking Next when each page is complete.
9. When prompted to attach your Georgia Driver License and Georgia Motor Vehicle Registration (both showing the new address), click Select files to upload the documents. NOTE: You will need to scan or upload the documents to your computer or device prior to completing this step.
10. Submit the application when complete.
NOTE: If you are filing any additional exemptions (i.e., senior, disabled veterans, etc.) you MUST file in person at the Tax Assessor’s Office.
Chatham County Tax Assessor’s Office
222 West Oglethorpe Avenue
Savannah, Georgia 31401
912-652-7100
Pooler | Bloomingdale | Ellabell | Pembroke | Guyton| Rincon | Springfield | Richmond Hill
Chatham County | Bryan County | Effingham County
Coastal Georgia Real Estate and Rental Homes
Proudly Serving : Fort Stewart (Hinesville) and Hunter Army Airfield (HAAF Savannah)
Michelle M Tucker | !Daley Real Estate | GA Real Estate License #297541