Exemptions

Exemptions Granted by Board of Tax Assessors

PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS

Georgia Code 48-5-41 provides an exemption from ad valorem taxes for certain properties based on the ownership and use of the property. The general rule for all exemptions is:

1. The owner of the property must be a non-profit organization (a copy of your IRS 501(c)(3) award letter will be requested);
2. The owner must be using the property;
3. The use of the property by the owner must be for a purpose expressly exempted in Georgia Code

A property will not qualify if a person or organization other than the owner of record primarily uses it, or if it is rented, leased or used for the primary purpose of securing an income. Mere latent ownership of a property by a nonprofit organization will not qualify the property for exemption. For more information, please contact the office. The following categories are exempted in GA Code 48-5-41:

Places of religious worship.
No rent, single family housing owned by religious organizations
Purely public charities
All places of burial
Nonprofit hospitals
Educational institutions
Air or water pollution facilities
Nonprofit homes for the aged or mentally disabled
Veterans’ organizations
Historical, fraternal-benefit associations chartered prior to January 1, 1880 

CONSERVATION USE

GA Code 48-5-7.4. Property, the primary purpose of which is any good faith production of agricultural products or timber, may qualify for conservation use exemption. This exemption provides a reduced assessment based on rates provided by the State Department of Revenue. The qualifying owner is required to sign a 10-year covenant agreeing to the continued conservation use of the property.

BREACH OF COVENANT WILL RESULT IN SUBSTANTIAL PENALTIES.

REHABILITATED AND LANDMARK HISTORIC PROPERTIES:

GA Code 48-5-7.2 and 48-5-7.3. Certain properties designated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources as “Historic” may qualify for a reduced assessment. For “Rehabilitated Historic” properties, the rehabilitative work must improve the value of the property by 50 percent for residential, 75 percent for a property that is both residential and commercially used, and 100 percent for commercial properties. Contact the Department of Natural Resources for certification, then apply for the exemption with your Assessor's Office..

BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY:

Personal property valued at $7,500 or less is automatically exempt from ad valorem taxes. The property, however, must be returned, valued and entered on the tax digest. Owners of personal property with a value of less than $7,500 receive no bill.

PERSONAL PROPERTY FREEPORT EXEMPTIONS:

The following types of tangible personal property are exempt from taxes (Freeport exemption):

• Inventory of goods in the process of being manufactured or produced including raw materials and partly finished goods; 100 percent exemption
• Finished goods produced in Georgia within the last 12 months; 100 percent exemption
• Finished goods stored in Georgia within the last 12 months and destined for shipment out of state; 100 percent exemption

The Freeport filing date for 100 percent exemption is January 1 through April 1. The amount for late-filed applications is:

April 2 - April 30:	66.67%
May 1 - May 31:	58.33%
June 1:	50%

• Failure to file by June 1 constitutes a waiver of the entire exemption for the year.