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(a) For purposes of this Code section, the term:
(1) “Ad valorem taxes” means all ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes levied by, for, or on behalf of any municipality in this state, but excluding any ad valorem taxes to pay interest on and to retire municipal bonded indebtedness.
(2) “Adjusted base year value” means the previous adjusted base year value adjusted annually by 2.6 percent plus any change in homestead value, provided that no such change in homestead value shall be duplicated as to the same addition or improvement.
(3) “Change in homestead value” means value, including any final determination of value on appeal pursuant to Code Section 48-5-311 derived from additions or improvements to, or the removal of real property of, the homestead after the lowest base year value is determined.
(4) “Homestead” means homestead as defined and qualified in Code Section 48-5-40 with the additional qualification that it shall include only the primary residence and not more than five contiguous acres of land immediately surrounding such residence.
(5) “Lowest base year value” means:
(A) Among the 2016, 2017, and 2018 taxable years, the lowest assessed value, including any final determination of value on appeal pursuant to Code Section 48-5-311 of the homestead, with such assessed value being multiplied by 1.0423, which number represents inflation rate data for December, 2015, through December, 2017, with respect to an exemption under this Code section which is first granted to a person on such person’s homestead in the 2019 taxable year or who thereafter reapplies for and is granted such exemption in the 2020 taxable year, or thereafter, solely because of a change in ownership to a joint tenancy with right of survival; or
(B) In all other cases, the lower of the assessed value, including any final determination of value on appeal pursuant to Code Section 48-5-311 of the homestead, from the taxable year immediately preceding the taxable year in which the exemption under this Code section is first granted to the most recent owner of such homestead or the assessed value, including any final determination of value on appeal pursuant to Code Section 48-5-311 of the homestead, from the taxable year in which the exemption under this Act is first granted to the most recent owner of such homestead, with respect to an exemption under this Code section which is first granted to a person on such person’s homestead in the 2020 taxable year or who thereafter reapplies for and is granted such exemption in the 2021 taxable year, or thereafter, solely because of a change in ownership to a joint tenancy with right of survival.
(6) “Previous adjusted base year” means:
(A) With respect to an exemption under this Code section that is first granted to a person on such person’s homestead, the lowest base year value; or
(B) In all other cases, the adjusted base year value as calculated in the taxable year immediately preceding the current year.
(b) When a resident of this state resides in a municipal corporation that is located in more than one county, that levies a sales tax for the purposes of a metropolitan area system of public transportation, and that has within its boundaries an independent school system, the homestead of each such resident actually occupied by the owner as a residence and homestead shall be exempted from ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value, including any final determination of value on appeal pursuant to Code Section 48-5-311 of such homestead exceeds the adjusted base year value of the homestead. The value of such property in excess of such exempted amount shall remain subject to taxation.
(c) The surviving spouse of the person who has been granted the exemption provided for in subsection (b) of this Code section shall continue to receive such exemption so long as such surviving spouse continues to occupy the home as a residence and homestead.
(d) A person shall not receive the homestead exemption granted by subsection (b) of this Code section unless such person or person’s agent files an application with the tax receiver or tax commissioner of his or her respective municipality charged with the duty of receiving returns of property for taxation giving such information relative to receiving such exemption as will enable such tax receiver or tax commissioner to make a determination regarding the initial and continuing eligibility of such person for such exemption or has already filed for and is receiving a homestead exemption and such existing application provides sufficient information to make such determination of eligibility. Such tax receiver or tax commissioner shall provide application forms for this purpose.
(e) The exemption shall be claimed and returned as provided in Code Section 48-5-50.1. Such exemption shall be automatically renewed from year to year so long as the owner occupies the residence as a homestead. After a person or a person’s agent has filed the proper application as provided in subsection (d) of this Code section, it shall not be necessary to make application thereafter for any year and the exemption shall continue to be allowed to such person. It shall be the duty of any person granted the homestead exemption under subsection (b) of this Code section to notify the tax receiver or tax commissioner of the municipality in the event such person for any reason becomes ineligible for such exemption.
(f) (1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the homestead exemption granted by subsection (b) of this Code section shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any other homestead exemption applicable to ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes.
(2) The homestead exemption granted by subsection (b) of this Code section shall be in lieu of and not in addition to any other base year assessed value or adjusted base year value homestead exemption provided by local Act which is applicable to ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes.
(g) The exemption granted by subsection (b) of this Code section shall apply to all taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2019.
(h) Any municipal corporation described in subsection (b) of this Code section shall be exempt from the provisions of subsections (c) and (e) of Code Section 48-5-32.1. History. Code 1981, § 48-5-44.1, enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 235, § 1/HB 820. Effective date. — This Code section became effective January 1, 2019. Editor’s notes. Ga. L. 2018, p. 235, § 3/HB 820, not codified by the General Assembly, provides, in part, that this Code section becomes effective January 1, 2019, upon the ratification of the question presented to the voters at the November 6, 2018 election. The constitutional amendment was approved by a majority of the qualified voters voting at the general election held on November 6, 2018.