I think I am at the point where I can file this and not have to pay property tax on my house. How does one go about doing this? Local probate office?

It should be the county tax assessors office. The times I’ve had to deal with property taxes here that’s who it’s with.

You still pay tax, just a lower rate. If your land is made up of more than one lot, make sure they include all of it. I'm not sure if the probate and land tax office is the same but that'll get you close enough to be pointed in the right direction.

Let me know what documentation is required. I'm going next month when I turn 65.

I’ve always done mine as soon as I closed. I carry the filed deed to the revenue department, pretty simple

Mine dropped from $415 to $357 when I turned 65, so it's not like it goes to zero. But that is a different exemption from the homestead. Anyone who lives on a property can claim the homestead exemption, no matter your age. I don't know what the age 65 exemption is called, but it is in addition to the homestead.

You can file for homestead exemption if the property is your primary residence. If it is a second home like a hunting property or condo, you can still file for class III property taxes but not homestead exemption. Class III is half of class II last I looked at it so it is worth it. Class III with homestead exemption vs without is really not that much money. $80 or so I believe. I haven’t made it to retirement age so I can’t speak to that. Tax assessors office is the place to make the adjustment.

I think y'all are getting the homestead exemption and the 65yo exemption confused , they're two different things. Read through the thread linked below:


http://www.aldeer.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3691534&page=1

This,always cut mine in half

I've always heard that you can only file for it once, but that may not be true

Never understood why we pay taxes on land we own. Biggest BS out there. Income is taxed. Purchase is taxed. Ownership is taxed.

Dang if that’s not the truth

You’ll be taxed to the grave!!! No one ever owns anything.

Not exactly sure about Bama laws but 2dogs is correct in regards to how it works here in FL.
Homestead exemption knocks $25K off the value of your primary residence so it lowers your tax bill.
The 65 exemption is another deduction off you property value which again lowers your tax bill.

I think this explains it, if not a little hard to understand...

https://www.revenue.alabama.gov/property-tax/homestead-exemptions/

The way I see it, if you are 65 or older AND your combined income is less than $12k a year AND/OR you are permanently disabled, then and only then are you exempt from paying property tax. Otherwise you will pay less taxes on your own land, but you will still pay and pay until the day you die and then your heirs will pay.

So the truth be told, you never really own anything, it's just an illusion.