Did you purchase a new home or other real estate in 2021?

If you are a Georgia resident and purchased property in Chatham, Bryan, Bulloch, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, or Tattnall County you may be eligible for property tax exemptions and other financial benefits but you must file by April 1st, 2022.

I referred to local real estate attorney Joel Gerber’s (Brannen, Searcy & Smith LLC) website for his overview of Homestead Exemption guidelines. Information in this post is general in nature. Remember: every property owner’s situation is different. Always consult your trusted attorney or financial planner when making the best filing decision for your specific circumstances.

Five key points to remember are:

• By filing for the Homestead exemption, you will receive a reduction in your home’s assessed value.
• You only file the Homestead Exemption one time.
• Exemptions are not automatically filed for you.
• You can file online in Chatham County.
• You have the right to appeal your home’s assessed value.

NOTE: If you are filing any additional exemptions (i.e., senior, disabled veterans, etc.) you MUST file in person at the Chatham County Tax Assessor’s Office
West Oglethorpe Ave., Savannah, GA 31401 Telephone 912-652-7100

Chatham County Homestead Filing Instructions are:

https://boa.chathamcountyga.gov/Homestead/ElectronicFilings

1. Go to the Chatham County Board of Assessor’s website.
2. Scroll about halfway down the page and click the Online Filings & Records Search tab. Read the disclaimer and select the Agree tab.
3. Locate and click on the E-File tab at the top of the screen.
4. Click on the New User? Create an account tab to create an account.
5. Once an account has been created, select Homestead Application (New) from the list of available filings. Click Begin Filing.
6. Type in your property address ONLY and click the Search button. If you live on a numbered street, search by the number only and do not include the direction (i.e., search 56th, not West 56th).
7. Once you locate the property, click Start Filing.
8. Follow all prompts to complete the application, clicking Next when each page is complete.
9. When prompted to attach your Georgia Driver License and Georgia Motor Vehicle Registration (both showing the new address), click Select files to upload the documents. NOTE: You will need to scan or upload the documents to your computer or device prior to completing this step.
10. Submit the application when complete.

Attorney Joel Gerber’s full information site including information on appraised values and new home construction appraisals and filings can be reached using this link; https://savannahrealestatelawyer.com/2022/01/be-like-the-elephant-dont-forget-to-file-for-the-homestead-exemption/

Did you purchase a home outside of Chatham County in one of the counties listed below? Here is the contact information for these counties. 

Bryan County

To file the Homestead Exemption in Bryan County, you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new address) to the Bryan County Tax Commissioner’s Office in either Richmond Hill or Pembroke. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2022.

Richmond Hill Office

66 Captain Matthew Freeman Dr, Richmond Hill, GA 31324 Telephone 912-756-2434

Pembroke Office

11 North Courthouse St., Pembroke, GA 31321 Telephone 912-653-3880

Bulloch County

To file the Homestead Exemption in Bulloch County, you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new address) to the Bulloch County Tax Assessor’s Office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2022.

Bulloch County Tax Assessor’s Office

113 North Main St., Statesboro, GA 30458 Telephone 912-764-2181

Effingham County

To file the Homestead Exemption in Effingham County, you will need to bring your driver’s license and a utility bill (both showing your new address) to the Effingham County Tax Assessor’s Office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2022

Effingham County Tax Assessor’s Office

901 North Pine St., Suite 106, Springfield, GA 31329 Tele 912-754-2125

Glynn County

To file the Homestead Exemption in Glynn County, you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new address) to the Glynn County Tax Assessor’s Office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2022.

Glynn County Tax Assessor’s Office

1725 Reynolds St., Brunswick, GA 31520 Tele 912-554-7000

Liberty County

To file the Homestead Exemption in Liberty County, you will need to bring your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and a current utility bill (all showing the new address) to the Liberty County Tax Assessor’s Office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2022.

Liberty County Tax Assessor’s Office

112 North Main St., Hinesville, GA 31313 Tele 912-876-2823

Long County

To file the Homestead Exemption in Long County, you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new address) to the Long County Tax Assessor’s Office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2022.

Long County Tax Assessors’ Office

285 South McDonald St., Ludowici, GA 31316 Tele 912-545-9111

McIntosh County

To file the Homestead Exemption in McIntosh County, you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new address) and vehicle registration to the McIntosh County Tax Assessor’s Office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2022.

McIntosh County Tax Assessor’s Office

601 North Way, Darien, GA 31305 Tele 912-437-6663

Tattnall County

To file the Homestead Exemption in Tattnall County, you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new address) to the Tattnall County Tax Assessor’s Office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2022.

Tattnall County Tax Assessor’s Office

108 West Brazell St., Reidsville, GA 30453 Tele 912-557-4010

Congratulations to all 2021 new homeowners. If you need real estate assistance this 2022 New Year I am always available to answer your questions. As a Seabolt Real Estate Associate Broker, I am well-qualified and experienced in the Savannah and surrounding area real estate market. Please call me!