Are you a senior citizen whose Gwinnett County property tax for the current year is becoming a burden? Are you looking for ways to reduce your property tax without giving up your home?
If you answered a resounding “yes” to both questions, then you have hope for a reduced property tax for the current year and the succeeding years. You should apply for exemptions available for senior citizens as soon as possible.
Choose Your Type
Gwinnett County provides senior citizens with three types of exemptions. You should discuss the best type of Gwinnett County property tax exemption for your case with your tax consultant, or ask the tax commissioner or the Gwinnett County Tax Assessor for more information. You can contact Gwinnett County at 770-822-8800 or send an email to tax@gwinnettcounty.com as soon as possible.
These exemptions are:
- Senior State Tax Exemption (SC). You can enjoy a 100% exemption from taxes levied by the State of Georgia on your primary residence and up to 10 acres of real property. You must be 65 years old as of January 1st of the application year and you can apply for other exemptions even when you have been approved for it.
- Senior School Tax Exemptions (L5A). You will benefit from 100% exemption from taxes levied by the Gwinnett County Board of Education on your primary residence including up to 1 acre of real property. You are eligible for the Gwinnett County property tax exemption when you are 65 years old as of January 1st of the application year or you are 100% permanently disabled with your residence within the Gwinnett County School District.
- Regular School Tax Exemption (S3). You will have partial exemption from school levies. You must be 62 years of age as of January 1st of the application year.
For all types of Gwinnett County property tax exemptions, you must provide the tax authorities with valid documentation of your income in the previous year before your application for exemption.
Each type of exemption has specific income requirements. For S3, your income should come from retirement and social security only. If your income exceeds $10,000 for the year, you may be disqualified. For L5A, your net income should not exceed $25,000 (i.e., gross income less deductions).
In both types of exemption, the tax authorities will look at your income and your spouses’ income even when you file separate applications for exemption and even when you are the one listed on the deed. You may also file your Gwinnett County property tax exemptions even when you think that you are not qualified.
Fill in the Form
You will use the same form regardless of the type of exemption you are applying for. You can request a form via email (tax@gwinnettcounty.com), or call 770-822-8800 to request that the form to be sent via mail to your home, or ask for it at the Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner’s office. Be sure to provide the tax authorities with your complete address and parcel identification code when requesting the exemption form.
When you have finished filling in the form for Gwinnett County property tax with accurate information, you can send it via mail to the Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner, Department of Property Tax, P.O. Box 372, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046.
