Focus
Playbook AWARE & Inside PREPARED
City of Decatur
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INSIDE
Clear zone
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 Volume 27 • Number 6
Official Publication of The City of Decatur, Georgia
Qualified Homeowners Receive New Exemptions
A
ll four proposals to expand property tax exemptions in Decatur were approved by voters in November, including a measure that will exempt homeowners over the age of 65 from school taxes beginning in 2017. The new school exemption is called the S-4 exemption. Most 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. No application is needed. Qualified homeowners who have never applied for the GH2, such as those who turned 65 during 2016, should visit City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St., to apply before March 15. Please bring a photo ID showing age and address. City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Homeowners over 62 with incomes under $50,000 may also qualify for another new homestead exemption approved in November – 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. The exemption will reduce the taxable value of a home by $15,000 for a projected annual savings of approximately $160. To apply, come to City Hall prior to March 15 with a copy of your most recent available tax return and a photo ID showing your age and address. Two other ballot questions that were approved do not create new exemptions but expand existing ones. 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, 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 Jan. 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 decaturga.com/homestead.
News 3 City
BUsiness 12 NEWs
14 DBA NEWs
Decatur Salutes
Hometown
Heroes see page 5
New Hometown Hero Myles Baker noticed that a South McDonough Street home was on fire and alerted the occupants, then persisted in urging them to safety.
DECATUR 15 EVENTs
School news 20