Homeowners May Lose Homestead Exemption

Based on a new ruling by Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, homeowners may lose their homestead exemptions.

A Bay Creek resident contacted us this week, telling us about a property tax bill she received with the following, VERY IMPORTANT if you are a homeowner, notice that read:

"Important- Homestead Tax Relief Grant may be in jeopardy. If you received Homestead exemption on your tax bill, your bill has been reduced by the Homestead Tax Relief Grant enacted by the Governor & the General Assembly. Money to fund the grant is part of the state of Georgia's 2009 budget. Funding for the HTRG may be eliminated by the state legislature. If eliminated, the tax commissioner may be required to send an additional tax bill for this amount. Please take notice & plan accordingly."

If you missed news reports, the governor has proposed eliminating homestead tax exemption relief that the state previously approved. If you would like to voice your opinion on this action do as the Newnan Times-Herald urges homeowners to do:

"Contact Perdue's office. Let the governor know how you feel about his proposal. Granted, Perdue has to make some tough decisions because of our faltering economy, but increasing the property tax burden on local homeowners in the middle of the budget year doesn't fly."

"You can sound off to Perdue's office by calling 678-436-7442 or 1-800-436-7442. Or you can contact the governor's office online by going to Georgia.gov. On that Web site click "contact us." On the contact us page, scroll to the bottom and click "contact Governor Perdue." A form will appear and you can e-mail a message to Perdue."

"Perdue needs to get an earful of taxpayers' comments. We hope he will listen -- even though he won't be up for election again as governor."