Homestead Exemptions

If this bill is passed, it will update part of the Code of Georgia about homestead exemptions.

• Code of Georgia: These are the rules or laws for the state of Georgia that say what people in Georgia can and cannot do.

• Homestead Exemption: a rule that lets people pay less in property taxes on the home where they live. It reduces the amount of the home’s value that the government can tax, helping people save money on their tax bills.

This bill

• Provides homestead exemptions for surviving spouses that have not gotten married again, and children under 18 of disabled veterans, to cover any future home the family owns.

• Makes it clearer who can get homestead exemptions and what paperwork they have to turn in.

• Includes a vote where people decide yes or no on this change. Instead of lawmakers making the final decision, voters get to choose.

Changes to Homestead Exemptions for Disabled Veterans and Their Families:

• A disabled veteran living in Georgia gets a homestead exemption of either $32,500 or the highest amount allowed under another part of the Georgia code, which is $50,000 as of January 1, 2004.

  • This covers all property taxes for state, county, city, and school stuff.

• If this bill passes, the exemption applies to any home that the vet owns and uses as the main place they live.

  • The value of the home that is over this amount is still taxed.

• The surviving spouse that is not remarried, or kids under 18 of a disabled veteran can also get the same benefit.

  • If this bill passes, they can apply the benefit to any future home they own and live in, not just the original place.

  • They still have to own and live in the home that they list as their main home to get the tax benefit.

• No more than one person can claim this based on the same disabled veteran.

• Turning in paperwork and extending exemptions:

  • For Disabled Veterans:

    • Veterans only need to turn in paperwork for the exemption once in their county.

    • The exemption automatically extends each year unless something changes.

  • For Surviving Spouses and Children under 18 (if this bill passes):

    • If they move to a new county, they need to turn paperwork in for the exemption again in that new county.

    • Once the paperwork is turned in, the exemption will extend automatically each year unless something changes.

If a disabled veteran passes away or can't turn in the paperwork for the exemption because of their disability, their spouse or kids can file on their behalf.

• If this bill passes, this exemption will be granted just like if the veteran had applied for it themselves.

If the government office in charge of veteran services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, finds out a veteran was disabled in the past:

• The veteran or their unremarried spouse or minor kids can get a refund for property taxes paid during that time.

• If this bill passes, the refund is only for the three years before they applied for the homestead exemption.

Voting on the Bill:

• This bill needs a vote across the whole state to become law.

• The Secretary of State will set up an election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026.

  • The Secretary of State: A government official who handles things like voting, business records, and official documents for the state.

• Voters will be asked: "Do you approve the bill that extends a homestead exemption for disabled veterans to their surviving spouses or children under 18?"

  • Voters will pick "Yes" or "No".

  • If enough voters say yes, the bill kicks in on January 1, 2027.

  • If most voters say no or not enough people vote, the bill gets automatically canceled on January 1.

If enough voters say yes, the bill applies to all years starting January 1, 2027, and after.