Homestead exemption is a tax savings on homestead property available to eligible homeowners. In Cobb, the Tax Commissioner’s Office processes all homestead exemption applications. Exemption applications are accepted year round. However, the original application must be received or U.S. Postmarked (a metered postmark is not accepted as proof of timely mailing) by April 1 to affect the 2010 taxes. Applications not received by the deadline will be processed for the following year.

Homeowners must own, occupy and claim the property as their legal residences on Jan. 1 to be eligible for any homestead exemption for that year. Homeowners must apply for each exemption for which they are eligible. The applicant’s name must appear on the deed to the property in order to qualify. Rental property does not qualify. Legal evidence of residency and U.S. citizenship, such as a copy of a Georgia driver’s license or Georgia ID card, must be provided. A non-citizen must provide legal authorization from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, such as Alien or I94 number. A current registration or receipt of motor vehicle taxes paid in Cobb must be provided for all personal vehicles owned at the time of application. The applicant may claim exemptions on only one property. A husband and wife constitute one “applicant” and may claim only one exemption. Exemptions are automatically renewed and the applicant need not reapply if the home has been refinanced. The Tax Commissioner’s Office must be notified in the event the applicant no longer qualifies for an exemption. Homeowners will be billed for any unqualified exemption received. Tax bills are mailed by Aug. 15 and payments must be received or U.S. Postmarked (a metered postmark is not accepted as proof of timely mailing) by Oct. 15. Detailed information and forms are available at www.cobbtax.org.

The Public Works Departments of Roswell, Alpharetta and Milton, along with Keep Roswell Beautiful are, once again, joining together to offer the residents in these areas a chance to clean out their garages, basements, and attics and dispose of unwanted items at no charge. On Saturday, March 20 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., residents in Roswell, Alpharetta and Milton can bring items to the Roswell Public Works Division at 1810 Hembree Road. Proof of residency will be required (utility bills preferred – Roswell residents with the window decal do not need any other form of identification). This event has become so popular, please expect delays.

Some of the items that will be accepted are:

• Tires – must be off the rim, automobile tires only; limit four per car
• sofas
• tables
• refrigerators
• chairs
• washers
• dryers
• televisions
• deactivated cell phones

The following items will not be accepted:

• paint
• household hazardous waste
• any fluids including motor oil and anti-freeze
• household batteries
• construction and demolition materials
• yard waste

For proper disposal of the items not accepted please contact one of the following: Roswell Recycling Center – 770.442.8822 (motor oil, anti-freeze) The Pollution Prevention Assistance Division – www.p2ad.org/hhwguide.html Chadwick Landfill – 770.475.9868 (construction and demolition materials)

Materials will only be accepted at the site on the day of the event and only during the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please note that the line will be cut off at 2 p.m.

For more information on the event please contact one of the following: Roswell residents should contact Janet Liberman at 770.641.3715 or jliberman@roswellgov.com Alpharetta and Milton residents should contact Terry Porter at 678.297.6200 or tporter@alpharetta.ga.us.

For more information please check the City of Roswell website at www.roswellgov.com or the Keep Roswell Beautiful website at www.keeproswellbeautiful.org.