Lowndes County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption

Lowndes County seniors get school tax relief

The law creates a school property tax break for older homeowners in the Lowndes County school district. Homeowners age 65 or older get a $40,000 exemption from their home's assessed value; those 70 or older get $50,000. Age is measured on or before January 1 of the tax year, and the home must qualify as their homestead. These amounts reduce taxable value, not the tax bill dollar for dollar; value above the exemption remains taxable. The break covers only the district's education taxes, not bond-debt taxes or state, county, independent school district, or city taxes. It replaces other homestead exemptions for the same district education taxes rather than adding to them. Most homeowners must apply through the county tax commissioner, who provides forms. Homeowners 65 or older already receiving the specified $10,000 constitutional exemption automatically get the $40,000 exemption without applying. Once granted, the exemption renews annually under state law while the owner occupies the homestead; owners must report lost eligibility. The exemption starts January 1, 2027, only after majority approval in a countywide vote at the 2026 general primary. Without majority approval, or without a properly conducted election, the exemption never starts and the act is repealed 365 days after the election. The county pays election costs, and results must be certified to the Secretary of State.