An investigation conducted by Atlanta news station Channel 2 Action News found that Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and her husband have two active homestead exemptions, in violation of Georgia state law.
As noted by the new outlet, “a homestead exemption is a big tax break any Georgia homeowner is entitled to for their primary residence. It is against the law to file for more than one.”
But Channel 2 investigative reporter Justin Gray pulled records showing that the Greenes are getting the tax break on two different homes in two different counties.
The station reported that “Greene still owns a North Fulton county home, but also bought a $610,000 house in Floyd County last year in the 14th Congressional district, which she represents.
A member of Congress does not have to live in the district they represent, it’s against the law to file multiple homestead exemptions.
Greene’s office released a statement telling Gray to mind his own business when he asked them about the homestead exemptions.
Fulton County tax officials confirmed the report.
“The property owners filed for homestead exemption in Fulton County in May of 2019 and it became effective for the 2020 tax year. Per GA law, you can only have one homestead exemption. In this case, Fulton County will consult with Floyd County to confirm and determine in which county the exemption is not valid,” the Fulton County Board of Assessors said in a statement.
“You get a tax break for your permanent residence. But you don’t get to do that in two places. That’s against the law,” said William Perry, the founder of the nonprofit Georgia Ethics Watchdogs.
“This isn’t a paperwork issue, this is fraud. You can’t accidently declare homestead exemption in two different counties,” Perry said.
