The Application For Property Exemption is the form the Chatham County Board of Assessors uses to review requests for property tax exemption under Georgia Law 48-5-41. It is one of the Chatham County property tax forms, and it is filed per parcel of real estate or per account of personal property. You choose one exemption category, describe how the property is used, and certify the answers with a signature. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the Board publishes the original at its Forms page.
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What is Application For Property Exemption – Chatham County, GA?
The Application For Property Exemption is the form a property owner uses to ask the Chatham County Board of Assessors to recognize a parcel of real estate or an account of personal property as exempt, under one of the categories in Georgia Law 48-5-41. The printed title of the form is "Exempt Property Application for Chatham County Board of Assessors."
The form first identifies the property: parcel ID number, the name on Chatham County records, the property address and the date acquired. It then asks seven questions. You check one exemption category, from E0 (non-profit home for the aged or mentally handicapped) through E9 (other), say whether the property is real estate or personal property, and describe how it is used, with a percentage for each use. You also explain any rental, lease, income or fees; whether the property is open to the general public or who uses it; the owner's IRS exemption section number, if any; and whether the owner is a non-profit corporation without stockholders.
The Board's Forms page lists this application separately from other documents, such as the Capital Improvement Exemption Application, the Application for Freeport Exemption Inventory (PT-50PF), the Application For Exemption Of In-transit Inventory (PT-FMIT), and the Business Personal Property Tax Return (PT-50P). This form is not any of those.
Who needs to file Application For Property Exemption – Chatham County, GA?
Owners of property in Chatham County who believe it qualifies for an exemption under Georgia Law 48-5-41 use this application. The categories printed on the form are:
- E0 – Non-profit home for the aged or Mentally Handicapped
- E1 – Public Property
- E2 – Places of Religious Worship
- E3 – Purely Public Charities
- E4 – Places of Religious Burial
- E5 – Non-Profit Hospitals
- E6 – Educational Institutions
- E7 – Pollution Control Equipment
- E8 – Farm Products in Hands of Producer
- E9 – Other
Check only one category. If you think you qualify under more than one, attach an explanation. Submit one application per parcel of real estate or account of personal property, and describe only the property you are applying for, not other property you own. If you do not own the real estate, check personal property.
The form does not say who may sign for an owner; it asks for a signature and title, which suggests an authorized person may sign for an organization. Receiving fees for use of the property does not by itself mean the property is not exempt, but each type of charge must be described in detail.
When to file Application For Property Exemption – Chatham County, GA
The form prints no filing deadline, so it is submitted when you are ready to request the exemption for a property. File one application for each parcel of real estate or each account of personal property rather than combining several properties on one form. Check with the Chatham County Board of Assessors for any date that applies to your property.
Documents you need
- A copy of the IRS letter of exemption, only if the property owner is exempt from federal taxes; also enter the IRS section number on question 6.
- A written explanation, only if you believe the property qualifies under more than one exemption category and you are checking only one.
- Any additional detail on charges, fees or rental, if needed: the instructions ask you to describe every type of charge, and the form refers to information "attached."
How to fill out Application For Property Exemption – Chatham County, GA
Enter parcel and owner details
At the top, enter the Parcel ID Number, the Name on Chatham County Records, the Property address and the Date acquired.
Check one exemption category
On question 1, check only one category from E0 through E9. If you qualify under more than one, check the best fit and attach an explanation.
Select the type of property
On question 2, mark Real Estate or Personal Property. Mark personal property if you do not own the real estate.
Describe how the property is used
On question 3, describe every activity and give the percentage for each use, including non-active users. Describe only this property.
Explain rentals, income and fees
On question 4, say whether any part is rented or leased and whether income or fees are received. If yes, explain the uses and each charge, and for nominal charges say which expenses they cover.
State public access and users
On question 5, say whether the property is open to the general public. If no, name the users and how often each group uses it, or how many people apply for services.
Enter IRS exemption information
On question 6, if the owner is exempt from federal taxes, enter the IRS section number and attach a copy of the IRS letter of exemption.
Answer the non-profit question
On question 7, state whether the owner is a non-profit corporation without stockholders. If not, explain, including whether it is for profit and has stakeholders.
Sign, date and add contact details
Sign with your title and the date under the certification, then enter the Contact Name, Email Address and Phone Number.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that every question is answered and that attachments are ready. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, then send it through the Board's channels described under How to submit.
How to submit Application For Property Exemption – Chatham County, GA
The form is addressed to the Chatham County Board of Assessors, but it prints no mailing address, portal, e-mail address or delivery method for returning it. Confirm the correct channel with the Board before you send it.
- Where to find it: the Board lists the form as "Application For Property Exemption" on its Forms page, https://boa.chathamcountyga.gov/Forms. The page suggests right-clicking and choosing Save As if the file does not display properly in the browser.
- What goes with it: a signed and dated form, plus a copy of the IRS letter of exemption if the owner is exempt from federal taxes, and an explanation if you think more than one category applies.
- Contact details: the form asks for a contact name, e-mail address and phone number, so the Board knows whom to reach about your application.
The form names no fee. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the Board's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Checking more than one exemption category instead of one; if more than one applies, the form asks you to check one and attach an explanation.
- Filing one application for several parcels or accounts; the form asks for one application per parcel of real estate or account of personal property.
- Describing other property the applicant owns instead of only the property named in the application.
- Listing uses without a percentage for each one; question 3 asks you to specify the percentage for every use.
- Leaving out fees or charges because they are small; the form asks you to describe every charge and, if nominal, to say what expenses they cover.
- Naming an IRS exemption without attaching the IRS letter of exemption.
- Skipping questions; the form says to answer all of them.
- Forgetting to sign with a title and date the certification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Chatham County Application For Property Exemption?
It is the Chatham County Board of Assessors form on which an owner requests an exemption for a parcel of real estate or a personal property account under one of the categories in Georgia Law 48-5-41, from E0 to E9.
Can I apply under more than one exemption category?
The form says to check only one category. If you think you qualify under more than one, check one and attach an explanation of why more than one applies.
Do I need a separate application for each property?
Yes. The form asks for one application per parcel of real estate or account of personal property, and it asks you to describe only the property named in that application.
Do I have to attach my IRS exemption letter?
Only if the property owner is exempt from federal taxes. In that case, question 6 asks for the IRS section number and a copy of the IRS letter of exemption.
Does charging fees mean my property is not exempt?
Not necessarily. The form says that receiving fees for use of the property does not automatically mean it is not exempt, but you must describe every charge in detail and, for nominal charges, the expenses they cover.
Where do I send the exemption application?
The form is for the Chatham County Board of Assessors but prints no address or portal. Check the Board's Forms page at https://boa.chathamcountyga.gov/Forms or contact the Board to confirm how to deliver it.
Can I fill out the property exemption application online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent, is not connected to the Board of Assessors and does not file the application.
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