DeKalb tax office digitizes application process for special homestead exemptions
Seniors ages 62 and older, disabled veterans and disabled residents may apply online for special tax savings beginning January 2023
DECATUR, Ga. – DeKalb homeowners now have the option to apply online for special homestead exemptions beginning Jan. 3, 2023. Seniors, and disabled residents and veterans, may still file in person or submit their documents by drop box.
DeKalb Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson announces the transition from in-person, paper-based application submissions to online application process for special homestead exemptions. Special exemptions are additional tax savings for eligible senior citizens ages 62 and older, disabled veterans and disabled residents. Age and income requirements must be met to qualify for all senior exemptions.
“Providing the highest level of customer service continues to be a top priority as we leverage technology to enhance the way we do business,” said Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson. “Automation and efficient operations enhance the overall customer experience while saving taxpayers valuable time and resources in the process. By bringing the special exemption application process online, seniors and disabled residents avoid delays with filing in person and significantly reduce processing errors.”
Applicants applying for special exemptions must have an existing homestead exemption on the primary residence to qualify for a special homestead exemption. Additional requirements include copies of the previous year’s federal and state income tax returns, any Social Security Form 1099, proof of age and/or proof of 100 percent total and permanent disability.
Since 2018, the tax office has accepted online applications for basic exemptions, which are available to individuals who own and reside in a home in DeKalb. A homestead exemption significantly reduces the amount of annual property taxes homeowners owe on their legal residence.
Applications are accepted throughout the year; however, current year exemption applications are only accepted from Jan. 2 through April 1. Applications received after the April 1 deadline will be processed for the following year.
To apply online for special homestead exemptions, or a basic exemption, please visit the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s website www.dekalbtax.org/file-homestead-exemption.
For questions or concerns with filing online, please contact the tax office call 404-298-4000 or email [email protected].
Follow the Tax Commissioner’s Office on Twitter and Facebook at @dekalbtaxga or visit the website DeKalbTax.org for updates.
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About the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner
DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson, an elected constitutional officer, is responsible for billing, collecting, and disbursing $1.3 billion in personal and real property taxes, and administering homestead exemptions for the nearly 260,000 property owners. Also serving as an agent for the State of Georgia, the tax commissioner handles all aspects of motor vehicle registrations, including managing the collection of motor vehicle taxes, issuing vehicle tags and titles, and processing vehicle registration renewals for citizens and businesses located in DeKalb County, Georgia.
For more information about the Tax Commissioner’s office, please visit www.dekalbtax.org. For updates about the tax office, follow @dekalbtaxga on Twitter and Facebook.
