If you purchased a new home last year, don’t forget to apply for Homestead Exemption!
Homestead Exemption
Generally, a homeowner is entitled to a homestead exemption on their home and land underneath provided the home was owned by the landowner and was their legal residence as of January 1 of the taxable year (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-40).
Application for Homestead Exemption
To be granted a homestead exemption, a person must actually occupy the home, and the home must be considered their legal residence for all purposes. Persons that are away from their home because of health reasons will not be denied homestead exemption. A family member or friend can notify the tax receiver or tax commissioner and the homestead exemption will be granted (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-40).
Failure to apply by the deadline will result in loss of the exemption for that year (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-45).
Exemptions Offered by the State & Counties
The State of Georgia offers homestead exemptions to all qualifying homeowners. In some counties they have increased the amounts of their homestead exemptions by local legislation above the amounts offered by the State. As a general rule, the exemptions offered by the county are more beneficial to the homeowner.
For more information, visit: https://dor.georgia.gov/property-tax-homestead-exemptions
Homestead Exemption in Your County
Click on a county name below to visit that specific county’s homestead exemption information page.
The deadline to file for all counties is April 1st.
Cherokee County, 678.493.6120
Clayton County, 770.477.3311
Cobb County, 770.528.8600
City of Decatur, 404.370.4100 – If you live in the City of Decatur, YOU MUST APPLY FOR BOTH DECATUR AND DEKALB.
DeKalb County, 404.298.4000 – City of Dunwoody homes are included in DeKalb County.
Fayette County, 770.461.3652
Forsyth County, 770.781.2106
Fulton County, 404.612.6440 – City of Sandy Springs homes are included in Fulton County.
Gwinnett County, 770.822.8800
Henry County, 770.288.8180
Paulding County, 770.443.7606
Questions or comments about homestead tax exemptions? Reach me at wtadams@adamscre.com.