Did you know a little bit of paperwork could save you a lot of money? The deadline for property owners to apply for the Standard Homestead Exemption is April 1st, according to state law.

Under the Standard Homestead Exemption, the owner of an occupied home used as a primary residence may be granted a $2,000 exemption from county and school taxes each year. The $2,000 is deducted from the 40% of assessed value for tax purposes.

The only catch is you must apply for the exemption in order to receive it. The easiest way to apply is to contact the Walker County Tax Commissioner’s office at 706-638-2929 and schedule an appointment. First time homeowners will need to bring a copy of their warranty deed to insure their application is filed correctly.

The application rule holds true for over a dozen other exemptions, many of which become available as you get older or your income level changes. For example, individuals 62 years of age or older may claim an exemption for school taxes if their income from non-retirement related sources is less than $10,000. Another $4,000 exemption kicks in for homeowners at age 65, based on income level. When applying for an exemption, make sure to bring your most recent income tax return to verify your income status.

Some of the other exemptions available include:

• Homestead exemption for a disabled veteran or surviving spouse
• Homestead exemption for a surviving spouse of a U.S. service member
• Homestead exemption for a surviving spouse of a peace officer or firefighter
• Age 70 exemption (income based and non-income based)
• Income based age 75 exemption on school taxes

Property owners interested in lowering their tax burden must apply for an exemption by April 3rd to be eligible in 2023. Remember, you will need to supply a copy of your income taxes and/or other documentation when you visit with the team at the Tax Commissioner’s office to verify your eligibility.