The Georgia Homestead Exemption is a property tax-relief benefit for homeowners who use a residence as their primary home. It reduces the taxable value of the home, thereby lowering your property tax bill.
Why This Matters
If you own your home as of January 1 and live in it as your legal residence, you may qualify.
• The exemption is subtracted from the assessed value of your home (Georgia law assesses homes at ~40% of fair market value).
• Many counties and cities in Georgia offer additional exemptions for seniors, disabled homeowners, veterans, and more.
• Once granted, the exemption generally renews automatically each year unless ownership or occupancy changes.
Key Eligibility Rules
To qualify:
• Own the home and it must be your legal residence as of January 1 of the tax year.
• Occupy the home as your primary residence — you cannot claim the exemption for another home in Georgia or another state.
• File the application with your local county assessor/tax commissioner’s office by the county’s deadline (often April 1).
Savings and Benefits
• The state standard exemption is $2,000 deducted from the 40% assessed value.
• Homeowners 65+ with lower income may qualify for higher exemptions.
• Some municipalities offer additional ‘floating’ exemptions that cap value increases.
Why You Should Apply
• Lowers your property tax bill.
• Usually requires just a one-time application.
• Helps offset rising property values.
• Special programs for seniors, veterans, and disabled homeowners can provide extra relief.
Georgia County Homestead Exemption Links
Baldwin County: https://www.baldwincountygatax.com/homestead-exemption.html
Banks County, GA: https://www.bankscountyga.org/tax-assessors/page/homestead-exemption Banks County Georgia+1
Cherokee County: https://www.cherokeecountyga.gov/tax-assessors-office/homestead-exemptions/
Clarke County: https://www.accgov.com/1687/Exemptions accgov.com+2dor.georgia.gov+2
Clayton County: https://www.claytoncountyga.gov/government/tax-assessor-s-office/homestead-exemptions/
Cobb County: https://www.cobbtax.org/property/exemptions.php
Coweta County: https://www.coweta.ga.us/departments-services/departments-r-z/tax-assessors-office/exemptions
Dawson County: https://dawsonassessors.com/homestead-exemptions/
DeKalb County: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/tax-commissioner/
Douglas County: https://www.celebratedouglascounty.com/279/Homestead-Exemptions
Fayette County: https://fayettecountyga.gov/assessors_office/exemptions.htm
Forsyth County: https://www.forsythco.com/departments-offices/board-of-assessors/homestead-exemption
Fulton County: https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/inside-fulton-county/fulton-county-departments/board-of-assessors/homestead-exemptions
Gwinnett County: https://www.gwinnetttaxcommissioner.com/property-tax/homestead-exemption/application
Hall County: https://www.hallcounty.org/1285/Hall-County-Homestead-Exemptions
Henry County: https://www.co.henry.ga.us/Departments/Tax-Assessor/Homestead-Exemption
Jackson County: https://jacksoncountygatax.com/general-information/
Lumpkin County, GA: https://www.lumpkincountytax.com/general-information.html
Oconee County, GA: https://www.oconeecountyga.gov/1538/Homestead-Exemption-Changes
Oglethorpe County: https://qpublic.net/ga/oglethorpe/exemptions.html
Paulding County: https://www.paulding.gov/188/Homestead-Exemptions
Walton County, GA: https://www.qpublic.net/ga/walton/exemptions.html