Homestead Exemptions — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to file for homestead exemptions for 2008?
March 1, 2008.

Why is March 1 the deadline?
March 1 is set by State law as the deadline for filing homestead exemptions.

Do I need to file with the City for City homestead exemptions?
No, it is not necessary to file separately with the City for any homestead exemptions. Application for all homestead exemptions, including those for the City, should be made with the Fulton County Tax Assessors Office.

Must I apply in person?
All applications for exemptions other than the Basic Exemption must be made in person. Contact the Fulton County Tax Assessors Office for instructions for applying for the Basic Exemption.

Is it necessary to file a new application for City exemptions?
In most cases, it is not necessary to file a new application. The City's Basic Exemption will be extended automatically to homeowners who have previously qualified for the County Basic Exemption. City special exemptions will also be extended automatically to homeowners who have previously qualified for the comparable County special exemptions.

The one major exception is the City's Senior Basic Exemption. This exemption is available to all City homeowners who were 65 years or older as of January 1, 2008 and who owned and occupied their home as primary residence as of January 1, 2008. If a senior homeowner has previously qualified for the County $10,000 Senior Exemption, then the City's Senior Basic Exemption will be extended automatically to the homeowner. All other senior homeowners must file with the Fulton County Tax Assessors Office by March 1 for the City's new Senior Basic Exemption.

Where should I file for my homestead exemption
Applications for all homestead exemptions for the City of Johns Creek homeowners must be filed with the Fulton County Tax Assessors Office. The nearest site is located at the Fulton County District 3 Office, Royal 400 Office Park, 400 Royal Drive, Alpharetta, GA 30022. Click here for Google Maps Directions or ask us to send you a link to a map by e-mail by providing your e-mail address. Also you may apply at any location of the Tax Assessors Office where homestead exemptions are accepted. Contact the Fulton County Tax Assessors Office for addresses of locations other than the Royal drive office.

What homestead exemptions are offered to homeowners within the City of Johns Creek?
A summary of these and pertinent qualification information on each is included on the City's website. We can also forward this to you by e-mail if you will give us an e-mail address. Generally, though, the City offers four homestead exemptions:

Basic Exemption - No age or income requirement.
Senior Basic Exemption - 65 years or older and no income requirement.
Additional Senior Exemption - 65 years or older with income requirement.
Full Value Exemption - 70 years or older with income requirement; also available to disabled homeowners.

What are the eligibility requirements for the City's homestead exemptions?
To qualify for any homestead exemption for 2008, a homeowner must have owned and occupied the home as primary residence as of January 1, 2008. Eligibility for exemptions other than the Basic Exemption include age and/or income requirements that are outlined on the City website. We can also forward a summary to you by e-mail if you will give us an e-mail address.

What is the definition of "primary residence"?
To be considered your primary residence, a home must be your residence for all legal purposes, including registration of vehicles and filing of income tax returns.

What information will I need to take with me to the Tax Assessors Office in order to apply for a homestead exemption?
(Note: You may want to confirm this information with the County Tax Assessors Office as well, since ultimately that office must accept and process applications for homestead exemptions.)

All applicants will be asked to provide the following information:

The residence address - used to locate the home in the property information system.
Tag numbers of all registered vehicles - used to verify that all vehicles are registered in Fulton County.
Picture ID (Drivers license is sufficient; contact the Fulton County Tax Assessors Office for other acceptable forms of ID.)
Social Security Numbers for all owners.
Dates of birth for all owners - used to determine eligibility for senior exemptions. Acceptable forms of proof include driver's license, passport and certified birth certificate. Other documents may also be accepted; contact the Fulton County Tax Assessors Office for more details.

Applicants for exemptions that include an income requirement will be asked to provide proof of income as well through providing a copy of the most recent income tax forms. (Note: The Tax Assessors Office uses the same application form for all its special homestead exemptions, and the normal routine is to take income information from all applicants for all senior exemptions. It may take a few days for Tax Assessors staff to recognize that the City's Basic Senior Exemption does not have an income requirement and, thus, it is not necessary to obtain income tax documents from homeowners applying for it.)

In processing applications for the City's Basic Senior Exemption that has no income requirement, Tax Assessors staff may still attempt to obtain income tax documents. The staff tries very hard to ensure that each applicant receives all the exemptions for which he/she is eligible. However, it is not necessary to provide this information in order to apply for the City's Basic Senior Exemption. If a homeowner encounters such a situation, he should confirm that his income exceeds the maximum allowed for other senior exemptions and note that he is applying only for the City's Basic Senior Exemption and the new State Senior Homestead Exemption, neither of which has an income requirement. The homeowner can offer to initial a statement that application for other senior exemptions has been offered and refused. If this does not satisfy the Tax Assessors representative, then he should ask that the representative check with a supervisor.

Applicants for the Full Value Exemption on the basis of disability rather than age will have to provide proof of disabled status; this proof includes statements from doctors. Contact the Fulton County Tax Assessors Office for more details on the documents that are required.

What can I do to make the application process easier at the Tax Assessors Office?
If you have Internet access, we suggest that you go to the Fulton County Tax Assessor's Web site and use the "Property Search" tab to obtain data for your property and that you take a copy with you when you go to the Tax Assessors Office. This data will include the ID number for your property, which can help in identifying it within the Tax Assessors information system.