§40-9-19. Homesteads.

(a) Homesteads, as defined by the Constitution and laws of Alabama, are hereby exempted from all state ad valorem taxes. In no case shall the exemption herein made apply to more than one person, head of the family, nor shall the said exemption exceed $4,000 in assessed value, nor 160 acres in area for any resident of this state who is not over 65 years of age. The homesteads of residents of this state, over 65 years of age, or who are retired due to permanent and total disability, regardless of age, or who are blind as defined in Section 1-1-3, regardless of age or whether such person is retired, shall be exempt from all state ad valorem taxes.

The state Commissioner of Revenue is hereby empowered to define and specify the condition or state of health that makes a person "permanently and totally disabled" and may issue certificates of disability to such person as he may find meets such specifications. Any person who is drawing any pension or annuity from the armed services or a company or governmental agency as being permanently and totally disabled shall automatically be granted a certificate of permanent and total disability by the state Commissioner of Revenue.

(b) For tax years beginning on and after October 1, 1981, for residents of this state not over 65 years of age, homesteads, as defined by the Constitution and laws of Alabama, are hereby exempted from all ad valorem property taxes levied, except countywide and school district ad valorem taxes levied for school purposes, by any county of this state. In no case shall such exemption herein made apply to more than one person, head of the family, nor shall the said exemption exceed $2,000 in assessed value, nor 160 acres in area for any resident of this state who is not over 65 years of age except as provided in subsection (c) of this section.

(c) For tax years beginning on and after October 1, 1981, the governing body of any county, municipality or other local taxing authority may at any time grant by resolution or ordinance an exemption from any levy of ad valorem property taxes levied by such county, municipality or other local taxing authority on homesteads, as defined by the Constitution and laws of Alabama, of residents of this state not over 65 years of age. In no case shall such exemption herein allowed apply to more than one person, head of the family, nor shall said exemption, when added to any other homestead exemption applicable to the same ad valorem tax levy, exceed $4,000 in assessed value, nor 160 acres in area. Any homestead exemption granted pursuant to this subsection (c) may be adjusted, rescinded or reinstated at any time by resolution or ordinance of the governing body of the county, municipality or other local taxing authority granting such exemption. Any action authorized by this subsection to be taken by a taxing authority, or the governing body thereof, shall, other than in the case of a municipality, be taken by resolution of the governing body of the county in which such taxing authority is located acting on behalf of such taxing authority; provided however, any action authorized by this subsection to be taken by a taxing authority, or the governing body thereof, which action shall affect countywide or district ad valorem taxes levied solely for the support of county or city school districts, shall be taken by resolutions of the governing bodies and boards of the school systems that are recipients of the proceeds of the ad valorem tax so affected by such action. The provisions of this subsection (c) shall in no way annul or reduce exemptions provided under subsections (a), (b), and (d) of this section.

(d) For tax years beginning on and after October 1, 1981, for residents of this state, over 65 years of age who have an annual adjusted gross income of less than $12,000 as reflected on the most recent state income tax return or some other appropriate evidence, or who are retired due to permanent and total disability, regardless of age, or who are blind as defined in Section 1-1-3, regardless of age or whether such person is retired, homesteads, as defined in the Constitution and laws of Alabama, are hereby exempted from ad valorem property taxes levied by any county of this state, including such taxes levied for school districts. In no case shall such exemption exceed $5,000 in assessed value, nor 160 acres in area. With respect to homesteads situated in more than one county, the exemption granted herein shall be prorated between the counties in which the homestead is situated in the proportion that the area of the homestead in each county bears to the total area of the homestead claimed for exemption.

The Department of Revenue may by regulation define and specify the condition or state of health that makes a person "permanently and totally disabled" and may issue certificates of disability to any person that meets such specifications. Any person who is drawing any pension or annuity from the armed services, a private company or any governmental agency because he is permanently and totally disabled shall automatically be granted a certificate of permanent and total disability by the Department of Revenue.

(e) The grant of any homestead exemption provided under the provisions of this section shall not be allowed if such grant shall prevent the payment of any bonded indebtedness secured by any tax to which the homestead exemption would apply.

(f) Any homestead exemption under this section or Section 40-9-21 shall not be affected during any period the homestead is being repaired after being damaged by a natural disaster such as a tornado or hurricane.

(Acts 1936-37, Ex. Sess., No. 107, p. 113; Acts 1939, No. 488, p. 702; Code 1940, T. 51, §15; Acts 1971, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 125, p. 207, §1; Acts 1973, No. 1212, p. 2048, §1; Acts 1978, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 48, p. 1734, §1; Acts 1978, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 91, p. 1785; Acts 1980, No. 80-731, p. 1476; Acts 1981, No. 81-579, p. 965; Acts 1982, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 82-789, p. 294, §1; Acts 1986, No. 86-530, p. 1026; Act 2011-710, p. 2192, §1; Act 2012-313, p. 708, §1; Act 2013-295, p. 1003, §2.)