Significantly reduce your property taxes by applying for
Homestead Exemption
What is a homestead exemption?
A homestead exemption is a property tax reduction available to those who own and occupy a property as their principal place of residence. To apply for a homestead exemption, the home must be your legal residence as of January 1st for all purposes, often including the registration of your vehicles and the filing of your income taxes.
Requirements
The property owner must own and occupy the property as their primary residence as of January 1, 2024, in order to file for a homestead exemption for their 2024 property taxes. The county does not look at who owned the property the majority of the year – they only look at who owned and occupied the property as of January 1st.
Property owners must live in the property as their primary residence and they cannot be receiving a homestead exemption on any other property – this includes properties in other Georgia counties and other states.
Only one homestead exemption can be claimed between husband and wife. Married couples are considered by law as a single-family unit.
All vehicles owned by the Property Owner(s) must be registered in the county where Property Owner(s) applies for Homestead Exemption.
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 50-36-1, all applicants for Homestead Exemption must indicate on the application whether they are U.S. Citizens or are qualified aliens or nonimmigrants under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act. Those applicants who indicate they are qualified aliens or nonimmigrants will be required to submit with their application their valid documentation from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service for purposes of verification.
You must have a copy of the recorded deed along with additional supporting documents. These documents vary by county.
You must apply by April 1st of the year following your closing.
Other Important Notes
Your exemption will be automatically renewed each following year as long as you continue to occupy the home under the same ownership.
If a Property Owner(s) is adding or deleting a person’s name on a deed, they must re-file for homestead exemption.
If there is a change in ownership, name, or spelling correction on the deed, Property Owner(s) must re-file for homestead exemption.
Refinancing your home does NOT affect homestead exemption.
Homestead Exemption cannot be applied to rental property or Business Owned Property.
Electronically Recorded Deeds: Some counties in Georgia now accept deed recordings electronically. If your deed is recorded electronically, you will receive a copy of the recorded deed via email instead of the original deed. For more information on the exemption in your county, click the county name below.
Items you may need
Georgia Driver’s License or GA ID
SSN
Vehicle Registration
Recorded Deed for new owner (or Tax Parcel ID)
Proof of Income (for Senior or other Special Exemptions)
Click the link below for county specific Homestead Exemption Info
CHEROKEE COUNTY
COBB COUNTY
DAWSON COUNTY
DEKALB COUNTY
FORSYTH COUNTY
FULTON COUNTY
GWINNETT COUNTY
HALL COUNTY
LUMPKIN COUNTY*
WHITE COUNTY
*must apply in person or mail in prior to April 1st