The Gilmer County Board of Assessors adopted maximum Social Security benefit amounts to be used for elderly and disabled veteran homestead exemptions when meeting last Thursday.
One figure reflects the maximum amount of benefits that can be paid to an individual and spouse under the federal Social Security Act. Another applies to how much can be claimed by qualified disabled veterans, their unmarried spouses or minor children, for whom a homestead exemption is also available.
Chief Appraiser Theresa Gooch said the amounts are supplied by the state and used by the assessors office each year. They are not usually reviewed by the local assessor board, but it had been suggested at the yearly conference for the state’s tax assessors that the boards vote to use the amounts.
“This is something we’ve always worked in the background,” Gooch said. “Each year, when individuals are applying for homestead exemptions, there is a maximum amount for Social Security that we deduct for the qualification. This is a lump sum amount for those who qualify for that exemption. We apply it into the tax records, and the tax commissioner deducts these amounts.”
The tax year 2024 maximum Social Security amount for applicant and spouse seeking either the age 62 or age 65-and-over homestead exemption is $91,728.
For those seeking homestead exemptions for disabled veterans, unmarried surviving spouses and minor children, the maximum amount is $117,014. For the disabled veteran homestead exemption, between the greater of $32,500 and the maximum amount can be exempted, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue.
“We can’t change (these amounts). We can’t make it more or less. In case we’re ever asked in a digest review, we’re trying to cover our bases,” Gooch said.
In other news ...
The assessors office is on track to have the preliminary property tax digest completed and ready for vote by July 15.
Gooch said the assessors office is in the middle of the appeal period, which will end July 5.
“As of today, we have 161 appeals. The office is currently processing the appeals as the owners come in,” she added.