Alternative to tax deferral authorized by Code Section 48-5-72; burden on applicant to demonstrate compliance.

(a) As an alternative to the tax deferral authorized by Code Section 48-5-72, any individual aged 62 or older residing within any county of this state having a population of 550,000 or more according to the United States decennial census of 1980 or any future such census who is entitled to claim a homestead exemption pursuant to Code Section 48-5-44 may elect to defer payment of all or any part of that portion of the ad valorem taxes levied on the individual’s homestead which exceeds 4 percent of the individual’s gross household income for the immediately preceding calendar year. An application for tax deferral under this Code section shall be filed annually with the tax collector or tax commissioner on or before April 1 of the year for which the deferral is sought. If an individual files for a tax deferral under this Code section, such individual shall not be authorized to file for a tax deferral under Code Section 48-5-72.

(b) The amount of the assessed value of the homestead and the amount of gross household income shall not limit the tax deferral authorized by this Code section. However, except for the provisions of Code Section 48-5-72 and paragraph (2) of Code Section 48-5-73, the provisions of this part shall apply to the tax deferral authorized by this Code section.