Decatur tax exemption deadline approaches

If you are a homeowner in Decatur and your home here is your principal residence, you are eligible to apply for the basic homestead exemption from property taxes. Applications for the basic homestead can be made online here. If you have already applied in a previous year, you do not need to reapply. The exemption remains on your home for as long as you continue residing in the property with no changes in ownership.

Exemptions based on age or income can be applied for in-person at City Hall. Please keep in mind that homeowners who are over the age of 65 already have an age-65 exemption known as the GH-2.Taxpayers with the GH-2 on their accounts will automatically receive the new S-4 school exemption, which exempts homeowners over the age of 65 from school taxes.  Information about this and other age-based exemptions can be found at www.decaturga.com/homestead or by calling us the City at 404-370-4100.

Although the City will honor homestead exemption applications submitted up until April 1, please submit your applications by 5:00 p.m. on March 15 in order for your exemption to appear on your 1st installment property tax bill.

Please note that applications made to Decatur and DeKalb are handled separately: if you've only applied with one office, you should check with the other office about your exemption status.

Grace period expiring for tax payments

Property tax payments in Decatur were due on December 20, 2016. A grace period was granted during which no penalties or interest were charged. That grace period will expire this Friday, January 6. Interest will be added to unpaid amounts after that date.

Tax office to close Friday and Monday

City Hall, including the property tax office, will be closed from December 23 through December 26 for Christmas.  We will re-open Tuesday, December 27 at 8:00 a.m.  Tax and business license information is available anytime at www.decaturgatax.com.

Qualified homeowners to receive new exemptions

As noted below, most seniors will be granted the new age-65 homestead exemption from school taxes automatically.

The new school exemption, which is called the S-4, will be factored onto the accounts of any homeowner with the already existing age-65 exemption known as the GH-2. No separate application is needed.

However, qualified homeowners who have never applied for the GH2, such as people who turned 65 during 2016, should visit City Hall at 509 North McDonough Street to apply between Jan. 3-Mar. 15, 2017. You will need to bring photo ID showing age and address.

Homeowners over the age of 62 with income under $50,000 may also qualify for another new homestead exemption approved in November, which is the GH-3. If the homeowner’s Georgia taxable net income plus the income of his or her spouse and the income of any resident family member totals less than $50,000, then the homeowner is eligible to apply for this new GH-3 exemption. This exemption will reduce the taxable value of a home by $15,000 for a projected annual savings of approximately $160 (computed using current millage rates which are subject to change). To apply for the GH-3, please come to City Hall between Jan. 3-Mar. 15 with a copy of your most recent available tax return and photo ID showing age and address.

Two other ballot questions that were approved do not create new exemptions, but expand existing exemptions. Homeowners do not need to re-apply to receive the full benefit. The increased exemption amounts will be granted automatically.

Homeowners who turned 62, 65, 70, or 80 during 2016 are encouraged to call the Decatur Revenue Division at 678-553-6743 to determine if they have become qualified for an exemption for which they were not previously eligible. To qualify for any age-based exemption, the claimant must be the age specified before January 1 of the tax year for which the exemption is sought.

Further information on Decatur’s other homestead exemption and tax relief programs can be found at www.decaturga.com/homestead.

Decatur offers discount on lawyers' occupation taxes

Last week, Decatur billed over 250 attorneys practicing law in the city. The annual occupation tax bill is $400 plus a $25 administration fee. For lawyers who pay their tax by Nov. 30, the City of Decatur will discount the bill by waiving the $25 fee.  Revenues from the tax are used to provide quality services to the public.

The tax can be paid online. Decatur's occupation tax website allows for payments by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, PayPal, or e-check. No additional fees are charged for paying online. To use this option, go to www.decaturgatax.com, click on “Occupation Tax” on the upper left, select 2016 as the year, and enter your name as it appears on your bill. Once you’ve accessed your record, click “Renew,” and you’ll see your option to pay. If paying before Nov. 30, adjust your payment amount to $400.

If you or someone in your firm practices law in Decatur but have not received a bill, or if you have any questions, please call our office at 678-553-6743 or email us at taxes@decaturga.com.

Decatur tax bills online for 2016

Decatur property tax bills for the second installment of 2016 are online now. You can view, print, or pay your bill at www.decaturgatax.com. Payments can be made by e-check with no processing fees. Credit card payments are accepted with a processing fee charged by a third-party provider. You can pay by check or cash if you prefer.  More details including how the bills and fees were calculated, key dates, and information about exemptions are included in our "Tax Notes" here.

Paper bills were mailed last week. If you have not received your printed bill within the next few days, please use our website to obtain your bill, or call us at 678-553-6506.

Now hiring

Decatur is searching for a new administrative assistant who will alternate duties between the Revenue Division and the city's human resources office. Information about the job can be found here. This position is a unique opportunity to learn and assist with both financial and personnel services in City Hall.

Decatur finalizes millage rates for 2016

During their Monday night meeting, the Decatur City Commission adopted the school millage rate approved earlier by the Decatur Board of Education.  The school millage rate of 18.66 is the same as it was last year.  The City approved its own millage rates in June.  The combined millage rate for 2016 is 31.83 mills as shown in the table below.

Fund	Millage
General Fund	9.3
Capital	1
DDA	0.38
Bond	0.92
School Bond	1.57
School	18.66
Total	31.83

The combined millage rate during the 1st installment billing was 32.23 mills.  The millage rate for 2015 was 30.66 and did not include a school bond charge.

City Commission considers tax proposals

Decatur’s City Commission will vote tonight on the school board’s proposed property tax millage rate for 2016. The school board previously voted to maintain its existing rate from 2015 of 18.66 mills. Decatur’s charter requires the City Commission to approve the rate proposed by the school board.

The City Commission will also consider calling an election to vote on several proposed homestead exemptions. This is for the exemptions authorized by the state legislature earlier this year for public referendum in November. The ballot measures would include adding a new school exemption for seniors, adding a new city exemption, expanding two existing city exemptions, and repealing a defunct exemption provision.

The meeting will take place at City Hall, 509 North McDonough Street, at 7:30 p.m. with the property tax-related items toward the beginning of the meeting.

Gwinnett uses senior exemptions to woo retirees

An article entitled “10 reasons why you should retire in Gwinnett County” recently appeared in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. It listed the number one reason to retire in Gwinnett as a homestead exemption from school taxes for seniors, saying:

1. Gwinnett has several exemptions for property taxes, including two for seniors, county communications director Joe Sorenson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

• The Senior School Tax Exemption (L5A) provides seniors ages 65 and older a 100 percent exemption from taxes levied by the Gwinnett County Board of Education on your home and up to one acre of property.
• The Regular School Tax Exemption (S3) provides seniors ages 62 and older a partial exemption from school taxes. 

Although the article doesn't mention it, Gwinnett's website says there are income restrictions to qualify for their two senior exemptions.

Voters in Decatur will have the chance to decide in November whether there should be an exemption here (similar to Gwinnett's L5A), which would exempt homeowners over the age of 65 for at least the next five years.

Decatur adopts millage rate for 2016

The City Commission approved millage rates for 2016 during its meeting Monday night. The general fund millage rate is decreasing from 9.7 mills in 2015 to 9.3 mills in 2016. The other millage rates for city taxes are the same as they were for the 1st installment property tax billing of 2016.  The rates are shown below:

General fund (operations):  9.3 mills
Capital improvements:  1.0 mills
Downtown Development Authority:  0.38 mills
Bond service:  0.92 mills
Bond (school) service:  1.57 mills

Although the general fund millage rate is decreasing, a tax increase was advertised under the requirements of Georgia law because rising assessments are projected to offset the lower tax rate. The city property tax bill (for a property that didn’t change in value since last year) would decrease by about $40 per $100,000 in assessed value because of the lower rate. For example, the bill for a property assessed at $200,000 ($400,000 fair market value) would decrease by $80 if there were no change in value since last year.

The school millage rate remains to be determined by the school board. Last year the school rate was 18.66 mills.

Tax payment grace period ends June 15

The deadline to pay property taxes in Decatur for the 1st installment of 2016 was June 1.  Although the deadline has passed, Decatur offers a grace period during which no penalties or interest apply to late payments.  That grace period ends on Wednesday, June 15.  Unpaid taxes after that date will accrue a 10 percent penalty and 1 percent interest per month.  To check the status of your account or make an online payment, go to www.decaturgatax.com.  For general information about property taxes in Decatur including a description of other payment options, visit www.decaturga.com/taxes.

City approves fee increases

The Decatur City Commission has approved an increase in residential sanitation and storm water utility fees for 2016. These fees are added to property tax bills. The typical household will have a $50 increase in October on their 2nd installment bill for 2016.

Residential sanitation fees are for garbage pick-up. The fee adopted earlier this year was $250 per household. The newly approved rate is $275.  The purpose of the increase is to cover curbside glass recycling beginning July 1. 

Storm water utility fees are used to make storm drainage improvements. Properties are assessed a storm water utility fee based on the amount of paved and covered areas on the property. The storm water utility fee has been $75 annually for each single-family residence for over 10 years. Commercial, institutional and multiple-family properties with larger paved areas pay proportionately more in fees. Utility fees are charged to all property owners, including tax-exempt properties. The newly approved fee is $100 per equivalent residential unit.

Most property owners have already paid the original amount of the fees for these services during the 1st installment property tax billing this year and will only owe the difference of the increase during the 2nd installment.

Tax payments due tomorrow

Payments for the 1st installment of Decatur’s 2016 property tax bills are due on or before June 1.  You can view your account/payment status at www.decaturgatax.com.  Checks can be mailed to:

City of Decatur Lockbox
P.O. Box 945650
Atlanta, GA 30394-5650

We honor postmarks on mailed checks. If you want to pay in person, come to 509 N. McDonough St. We are open today through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Payments can also be made online; however, if you are paying by e-check, please note that it will take several days until your e-check clears and is credited to your account.

In addition to property tax payments, tomorrow is also the payment deadline for businesses in Decatur with commercial sanitation accounts.

Decreased millage rate proposed

Decatur’s City Commission is considering a reduction of its property tax millage rate for city operations. Overall tax revenues are expected to increase because of rising property values, but the millage rate would decline. The following explanation is included in the proposed budget for Decatur’s upcoming fiscal year: 

Millage Rates and Potential Increased Homestead Exemptions 

Because of the [projected 7.5 percent] increase in the real estate property digest, it is recommended that the General Fund Millage be reduced from 9.70 mills to 9.30 mills. Lowering the millage will result in a $100 reduction in City of Decatur property taxes for a property valued at $500,000. In addition, as part of the November 8, 2016 election, Decatur voters will be able to consider various homestead exemption increases that will apply to the General Fund, Capital Improvement Fund and the DDA Fund. All approved exemption increases will be reflected in the first installment billing in April, 2017. The 2016-2017 Proposed Budgets were developed assuming that all of the exemptions will be approved. The estimated reduction in general fund real property taxes is $310,000 for fiscal year 2016-2017 and $620,000 for fiscal year 2017-2018. An owner occupied property that qualifies for all of the additional exemptions could see a $135 reduction in the first installment tax billing in early 2017.

Due to capital needs, it is recommended that the Capital Improvement Fund Millage remain at 1 mill and due to resident, business and visitor requests for increased community engagement activities, aesthetics, and business development, it is recommended that the DDA Fund Millage remain at .38 mills. The debt service millage for the 2007 general obligation bond s remains at .92 mills and the 2015 debt service millage for school system capital improvements remain at 1.57 mills. 

A general fund tax rate of 9.3 mills would be the lowest it has been since tax year 2000. If approved, the new rates would take effect July 1, and would be factored into city property tax bills on October 20, 2016.

Governor signs Decatur homestead exemption bills

Governor Deal signed legislation yesterday that will put five separate questions on November ballots to expand homestead exemptions in Decatur. Deal signed Senate Bill 339, which authorizes a referendum on increasing the basic homestead exemption (known as the GH1) from $20,000 to $25,000. SB 340 allows a vote on increasing the exemption for homeowners over 65 (GH2) from $1,000 to $10,000. SB 342 makes another ballot question that would create a new $15,000 exemption (GH3) for homeowners over 62 with household income under $50,000. SB 341 repeals an old cap on exemption amounts. SB 343 authorizes a vote to create an exemption from school taxes (excluding school bond taxes) for homeowners over 65. Voter approval of these measures would reduce property taxes for eligible homeowners by decreasing the taxable value of their homes. If approved on Nov. 8, 2016, homeowners would become eligible for the homestead exemptions in 2017. The new school exemption would expire in 2021 unless it is renewed.

Lawyer taxes in Decatur become delinquent

Attorney Bill Payment Final Deadline

Lawyers practicing in Decatur must pay a $425 occupation tax annually. The 2015 tax was due by Dec. 31, 2015. A three-month grace period expires today. Lawyers who have not paid by today become delinquent and subject to escalated collection activities and will be reported to the State Bar of Georgia. Revenues from the tax are used to provide quality services to the public. For further information please call 404-370-4100.

City Commission levies school bond millage rate

The City Commission has adopted a new school bond property tax rate of 1.57 mills. The motion to approve the new rate, which will apply to 1st installment property tax bills for 2016, carried 5-0 during a public meeting tonight. The rate enables the first debt service payment toward the $75 million school bond issuance which was approved by voters on November 3 last year. The City of Decatur Schools will use the bond for capital improvements.

As Mayor Patti Garrett noted during the meeting, the 1.57 rate is lower than the average bond millage rate of 2.69 mills that was projected by the City of Decatur Schools when the bond was being debated last year.  The new millage rate results in a combined Decatur millage rate of 32.23 mills compared to 30.66 mills in 2015 and 33.5 mills in 2014.  City Manager Peggy Merriss said that the rates are subject to change in future tax installments.

Tax implications

The impact of the new tax rate will vary according to property value. Taxes for a resident with a $500,000 home will go up by about $400 for 2016.  Decatur bills in two installments; charges would the same each installment unless the school bond millage rate is increased or the property owner's value changes in 2016.  Prospective tax charges according to value are shown in the chart below:



According to 2015 digest data, the median home value in Decatur is $380,000. Homeowners with that value would experience a $300 tax increase for 2016 compared to 2015. (Zillow shows a higher median home value at $435,000 based on sales data, but local taxes are based on assessments made by DeKalb County in accordance with factors mandated by state law.) 

Exemption considerations

Seniors will not be exempt from the new school bond charges. School exemptions known as the GS-1 (age 62), S-1 (age 62), S-2 (age 80), and S-3 (age 70) do not apply toward the school bond charge. Property owners with the disabled veterans homestead exemption or a year’s support exemption will be partially exempt from school bond charges. Year’s support provides an exemption of taxes for one year upon the death of a spouse if approved by the DeKalb County probate court. About a dozen homeowners in Decatur meet these criteria.

New exemptions still pending

The City Commission and Board of Education have proposed expanded tax relief including an exemption from school taxes for homeowners over 65. These proposals have been approved by the Georgia General Assembly. If approved by voters in November, these expanded exemptions would go into effect in 2017. School bond charges will continue to apply regardless of any new exemptions.

Georgia House OKs Decatur’s senior school exemption

The Georgia House of Representatives has approved Decatur’s proposal for a homestead exemption for homeowners over the age of 65 from school taxes. The vote on Senate Bill 343 carried the House this morning by a vote of 155 to 1. The bill had been postponed for the past several legislative days. If Governor Deal signs the bill into law, it will appear on local ballots in November for voter approval. The exemption would go into effect in 2017.

The dollar amount of property tax savings for the exemption will vary by homeowner. In order to get a sense of how much money you may save, look at your last City of Decatur property tax bill. On the line that says “School,” look to the right at the amount in the column that says “Total Due.” Assuming the exemption is approved, if you are over 65 and your home in Decatur is your principal residence, you would no longer see that charge from 2017 until at least 2021, when the exemption would expire unless it is renewed.  Property owners over the age of 80 with income under $40,000 were already exempted from local school taxes, so this will primarily benefit homeowners between the ages of 65 and 79.

The new exemption and existing school exemptions do not apply to the school bond that was approved by voters last November. Only disabled veterans will be partially exempt from school bond charges.

Last week the House also approved four other bills that will expand Decatur’s homestead exemptions beginning in 2017 if approved by voters this November.

Decatur homestead exemptions: current and proposed

If you are applying for an additional homestead exemption for your home in Decatur for 2016, please note that these are the exemptions the City and school system currently offer:

Current

• GH1—Basic homestead exemption 
• GS1—Exemption for homeowners over 62 with household income under $25,000 
• S1—Exemption if joint income under $10,000 excluding retirement income 
• GH2—Exemption if over age 65 
• S3—Partial school exemption if over 70 
• S2—School exemption if over 80 and federal adjusted gross income is less than $40,000 
• DV—Exemption for disabled veterans 

The additional exemptions that the City and school system have proposed for approval by the Georgia General Assembly and by voters are as follows:

Proposed

1. Expanded GH1 homestead exemption 
2. Expanded GH2 exemption 
3. New exemption for homeowners over 62 with household income under $50,000 
4. New school exemption for homeowners over 65 

These proposed exemptions would have to be approved by voters before going into effect in 2017. You cannot apply for these proposed exemptions yet. These exemptions would expand or be in addition to, not replacements of, the existing homestead exemptions. None of the exemptions listed above (except the disabled veterans’ exemption) would apply to the school bond that was approved last November.