I am a senior citizen. What special exemptions are available to me as a senior to reduce my tax burden?
There are three popular exemptions that benefit Gwinnett County seniors.
- The “Senior State Tax Exemption (SC)” provides a 100% exemption from taxes levied by the state of Georgia on your home and up to 10 acres of property. You must be 65 years old as of January 1 of the application year. This exemption is unique in that it is granted in addition to any other exemptions you may qualify for.
- The “Senior School Exemption (L5A)” provides a 100% exemption from taxes levied by the Gwinnett County Board of Education on your home and up to one acre of property. You must be 65 years old as of January 1 of the application year and must occupy your residence within the Gwinnett County School District. There are income requirements and you must provide documentation of your income for the year prior to the year for which application is being made.
- The “Regular School Exemption (S3)” provides a partial exemption from school taxes. You must be 62 years old as of January 1 of the application year. There are income requirements and you must provide documentation of your income for the year prior to the year for which application is being made.
What form do I use?
The same form is utilized to apply for all Gwinnett County homestead exemptions. You may request a form by email from tax@gwinnettcounty.com or request that a form be mailed to you by contacting our customer service center at 770-822-8800. Additionally, forms are available by request at all Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner’s offices.
Mailed applications should be sent to:
Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner
Department of Property Tax
P.O. Box 372
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
What are the income requirements?
- The Regular School Tax Exemption (S3) is mainly for those who have retirement and social security income only. Any working income over $10,000 may disqualify you.
- The Senior School Tax Exemption (L5A) is for those that were 65 or older on January 1 of the year of application and do not exceed $25,000 in income after deductions.
In 2009, we can deduct up to $55,742 from your social security and retirement income as well as some of your state deductions. With both exemptions we must look at the claimant and spouse’s income even if you file separately and even if only the claimant is listed on the deed. We also recommend that you apply even if you think you may not qualify.
What forms do you need to verify my income?
We require a copy of the first two pages from your prior year Federal 1040 and Georgia 500. For a 2009 exemption, we would need copies of your 2008 income tax returns. If you file separately we will need to see both claimant and spouse’s income tax returns. If you are not required to file an income tax return then we request a copy of your social security statement reflecting what you receive from them or copies of bank statements reflecting what income you receive.
What if I’m over the income limit?
If you do not qualify for either exemption, you will have to wait until the following year and apply again. However, even if you are 65 or older and do not meet the income requirements for the Senior School Exemption (L5A), you will still qualify for the Senior State Tax Exemption (SC).
What if the property is in my name and I’m not 62 or 65, but my spouse is?
Only one person needs to be of age to qualify, but this person must be listed on the deed as an owner to be eligible to apply.
What is the deadline to apply for these exemptions?
You must have a regular homestead exemption application on file first. The application deadline for a regular homestead exemption is March 1. Once we have your regular homestead application on file, you can make a second application by December 31 to receive the senior savings that year. If you apply after the annual tax bill is mailed, you will be required to pay what is due until your corrected tax bill is mailed. You will receive a refund for any overage you have paid after the correction.
Will I need to re-apply every year?
No, once you apply and an exemption is granted, it will renew each year. If the eligible claimant’s name is removed from the deed due to death or divorce then the exemption will be removed the following tax year. If a remaining spouse is on the deed, they will need to contact our office to inquire about their exemption status before March 1 of that following year.
To view information about all of the homestead exemptions offered in Gwinnett County, visit Homestead Exemption Information page.
Updated 11/09/2009
I am a senior citizen. What special exemptions are available to me as a senior to reduce my tax burden?
There are three popular exemptions that benefit Gwinnett County seniors.
- The “Senior State Tax Exemption (SC)” provides a 100% exemption from taxes levied by the state of Georgia on your home and up to 10 acres of property. You must be 65 years old as of January 1 of the application year. This exemption is unique in that it is granted in addition to any other exemptions you may qualify for.
- The “Senior School Exemption (L5A)” provides a 100% exemption from taxes levied by the Gwinnett County Board of Education on your home and up to one acre of property. You must be 65 years old as of January 1 of the application year and must occupy your residence within the Gwinnett County School District. There are income requirements and you must provide documentation of your income for the year prior to the year for which application is being made.
- The “Regular School Exemption (S3)” provides a partial exemption from school taxes. You must be 62 years old as of January 1 of the application year. There are income requirements and you must provide documentation of your income for the year prior to the year for which application is being made.
What form do I use?
The same form is utilized to apply for all Gwinnett County homestead exemptions. You may request a form by email from tax@gwinnettcounty.com or request that a form be mailed to you by contacting our customer service center at 770-822-8800. Additionally, forms are available by request at all Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner’s offices.
Mailed applications should be sent to:
Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner
Department of Property Tax
P.O. Box 372
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
What are the income requirements?
- The Regular School Tax Exemption (S3) is mainly for those who have retirement and social security income only. Any working income over $10,000 may disqualify you.
- The Senior School Tax Exemption (L5A) is for those that were 65 or older on January 1 of the year of application and do not exceed $25,000 in income after deductions.
In 2009, we can deduct up to $55,742 from your social security and retirement income as well as some of your state deductions. With both exemptions we must look at the claimant and spouse’s income even if you file separately and even if only the claimant is listed on the deed. We also recommend that you apply even if you think you may not qualify.
What forms do you need to verify my income?
We require a copy of the first two pages from your prior year Federal 1040 and Georgia 500. For a 2009 exemption, we would need copies of your 2008 income tax returns. If you file separately we will need to see both claimant and spouse’s income tax returns. If you are not required to file an income tax return then we request a copy of your social security statement reflecting what you receive from them or copies of bank statements reflecting what income you receive.
What if I’m over the income limit?
If you do not qualify for either exemption, you will have to wait until the following year and apply again. However, even if you are 65 or older and do not meet the income requirements for the Senior School Exemption (L5A), you will still qualify for the Senior State Tax Exemption (SC).
What if the property is in my name and I’m not 62 or 65, but my spouse is?
Only one person needs to be of age to qualify, but this person must be listed on the deed as an owner to be eligible to apply.
What is the deadline to apply for these exemptions?
You must have a regular homestead exemption application on file first. The application deadline for a regular homestead exemption is March 1. Once we have your regular homestead application on file, you can make a second application by December 31 to receive the senior savings that year. If you apply after the annual tax bill is mailed, you will be required to pay what is due until your corrected tax bill is mailed. You will receive a refund for any overage you have paid after the correction.
Will I need to re-apply every year?
No, once you apply and an exemption is granted, it will renew each year. If the eligible claimant’s name is removed from the deed due to death or divorce then the exemption will be removed the following tax year. If a remaining spouse is on the deed, they will need to contact our office to inquire about their exemption status before March 1 of that following year.
To view information about all of the homestead exemptions offered in Gwinnett County, visit Homestead Exemption Information page.
Updated 11/09/2009