In November, Hall County voters approved an amendment to the county’s school tax exemptions, so taxpayers who receive a partial exemption at age 62 will not have to reapply for the full exemption when they turn 70. However, a taxpayer’s birth date must be in the Hall County Tax Assessors’ database for the automatic exemption to take effect.

“Apparently there is a lot of confusion over this,” Assistant Chief Appraiser Don Elrod said.

The Tax Assessors began giving residents the option to submit a birth date for the database one year ago. However, some people refuse for privacy reasons, and many that applied for the school tax exemption years ago via paper application are not in the electronic database.

To submit your birth date for the Tax Assessors’ database or to inquire about eligibility, contact 770-531-6720 or delrod@hallcounty.org. Or visit the Tax Assessors’ office in the Joint Administration Building, 300 Green St., Room 203, Gainesville, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A partial exemption reduces the taxable value of property by $30,000 on the school portion of the tax bill. If you received the partial exemption at age 62, you can automatically receive the full exemption at age 70. There is no income limit for this exemption.

These exemptions are in addition to standard homestead and other exemptions. Property in Georgia is assessed at 40 percent of full market value.