Bulloch County homeowners are reminded that the deadline to file for homestead exemptions for the 2025 tax year is Tuesday, April 1, 2025. These exemptions can significantly reduce the burden of property taxes for eligible residents who own and occupy their home as their primary residence as of January 1, 2025.
While homestead exemption applications can be submitted throughout the year, filing by the April 1st deadline ensures that the exemption will be applied to the current tax year.
The NEW Floating Homestead Exemption created by Georgia HB 581 helps homeowners by limiting how much their home’s assessed value can go up each year for tax purposes. Normally, if a home's value increases, the assessed value also goes up, which without a millage rollback, can make property taxes higher. But with this exemption, the assessed value can only increase by a set amount each year, even if the market value of the home goes up a lot. This makes property taxes more stable and predictable for homeowners. However, the actual tax bill still depends on the millage rate, which is set by local governments. This exemption is in addition to any existing exemption already being received. If you already receive a homestead exemption, you will automatically get this new exemption—there’s nothing extra you need to do!
Several other types of homestead exemptions are available to Bulloch County homeowners:
- Standard Homestead Exemption - The home of each resident of Georgia that is actually occupied and used as the primary residence by the owner may be granted a $2,000 exemption from county and school taxes except for school taxes levied by municipalities and except to pay interest on and to retire bonded indebtedness. The $2,000 is deducted from the 40% assessed value of the homestead. The owner of a dwelling house of a farm that is granted a homestead exemption may also claim a homestead exemption in participation with the program of rural housing under contract with the local housing authority. (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-44)
- Individuals 65 Years of Age and Older May Claim a $4,000 Exemption - Individuals 65 years of age or over may claim a $4,000 exemption from all county ad valorem taxes if the income of that person and his spouse does not exceed $10,000 for the prior year. Income from retirement sources, pensions, and disability income is excluded up to the maximum amount allowed to be paid to an individual and his spouse under the federal Social Security Act. The social security maximum benefit for 2025 is $96,432. The owner must notify the county tax commissioner if for any reason they no longer meet the requirements for this exemption. (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-47)
- Individuals 62 Years of Age and Older May Claim Additional Exemption for Educational Purposes - Individuals 62 years of age or over that are residents of each independent school district and of each county school district may claim an additional exemption from all ad valorem taxes for educational purposes and to retire school bond indebtedness if the income of that person and his spouse does not exceed $10,000 for the prior year. Income from retirement sources, pensions, and disability income is excluded up to the maximum amount allowed to be paid to an individual and his spouse under the federal Social Security Act. The social security maximum benefit for 2025 is $96,432. The owner must notify the county tax commissioner if for any reason they no longer meet the requirements for this exemption. This exemption may not exceed $10,000 of the homestead's assessed value. (O.C.G.A. §48-5-52)
- Disabled Veteran or Surviving Spouse - Any qualifying disabled veteran who is a citizen and resident of Georgia is granted an exemption of the greater of $32,500.00 or the maximum amount which may be granted to a disabled veteran under Section 2102 of Title 38 of the United States Code, as amended, on his or her homestead which such veteran owns and actually occupies as a residence and homestead, such exemption being from all ad valorem taxation for state, county, municipal, and school purposes. The amount for 2025 is $121,812. The value of the property in excess of this exemption remains taxable. This exemption is extended to the unremarried surviving spouse or minor children as long as they continue to occupy the home as a residence.
- Surviving Spouse of U.S. Service Member - The unremarried surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces who was killed in or died as a result of any war or armed conflict will be granted a homestead exemption from all ad valorem taxes for county, municipal and school purposes in the amount of $160,000 plus an additional sum. The additional sum is determined according to an index rate set by United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The amount for 2025 is $121,812. The surviving spouse will continue to be eligible for the exemption as long as they do not remarry. (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-52.1)
- Surviving Spouse of Peace Officer or Firefighter - The unremarried surviving spouse of a peace officer or firefighter killed in the line of duty will be granted a homestead exemption for the full value of the homestead for as long as the applicant occupies the residence as a homestead. (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-48.4).
How to Apply:
Bulloch County residents can access the Homestead Exemption Application online by CLICKING HERE. The completed form can be printed and mailed or saved and emailed to [email protected].
Applicants must also submit a copy of Proof of Residency, such as a Driver's License, Car Registration, or Voter's Registration, along with their application.
Homeowners are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements for each exemption type and submit their applications by the April 1, 2025, deadline to ensure they receive the tax relief for the current year.
For any questions or further information, residents can contact the Bulloch County Tax assessors Office which is located in the Bulloch County Annex at 113 North Main Street, Suite 301 in Statesboro, GA. Or you can call them at 912-764-2181 or email them at [email protected].
