Retiring?.....think tax relief in Brunswick and the Golden Isles of Georgia

As to income taxes, the State of Georgia's Income Division's Tax website offers the following information:

Taxable Social Security and Railroad Retirement on the Federal return are exempt Georgia Income Tax.

A retirement exclusion of $35,000 is allowed provided the taxpayer is 62 years of age or older, or the taxpayer is totally and permanently disabled. Retirement income under Georgia law is defined as interest, dividends, net rentals, capital gains, royalties, pensions, annuities in addition to the first $4000.00 of earned income. Earned income is income from a trade or business, wages, salaries, tips, or other compensation.  Both spouses can qualify for the retirement exclusion but each much qualify separately.   Even part-year residents and nonresidents can benefit from this exclusion.  Part time residents and non-residents must prorate the retirement exclusion.

For more information on Georgia's State Taxes, visit the state of Georgia Income Tax division's website or call an accounting professional. 

As to real estate taxes in Glynn County, Georgia (which includes Saint Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island and Brunswick, Georgia addresses, in addition to a homestead exemption in the amount of $10,000 of your assessed property value, a owner occupied home in Glynn County Georgia is entitled to apply for the second tier of our  homestead exemption made available through the passage of legislation known as the Scarlett-Williams Act. 

In 2000, this act was passed and named for its legislative sponsors.  This second tier of the homestead exemption only applies if the property is your primary residence.  As long as the owner does not sell, relocate or substantially remodel the property, the assessed value will be frozen. This legislation was designed to protect the residents from the many property value increases in Glynn County's due to recent years many increases in values.   

This is a bit of security not everyone feels when they purchase a home.  For more information, call the Glynn County's Tax Assessor or visit http://www.glynncounty.org.