Homestead Exemptions

If you’ve recently become a homeowner in Georgia and your new property is your main residence, you might be eligible for a property tax reduction through the homestead exemption for the 2023 tax year. The homestead exemption is designed for homes that are owned and occupied by the owner.

To be eligible for the homestead exemption, you must own, occupy, and designate the property as your legal residence as of January 1st of the tax year. Applications for the exemption, along with any necessary supporting documents, must be submitted by April 1st. If an application is submitted after this date, the exemption will not be applied until the following tax year.

Once your application for the homestead exemption is approved, the exemption remains in place as long as the ownership of the property does not change. In other words, you won’t have to reapply for the exemption each year. It will be automatically renewed each year as long as you continue to live in the home under the same ownership.

The application requirements can vary depending on the county where you reside, but the most common required information and documents include:

  • Georgia Driver’s License or valid GA identification with your updated address;
  • Social Security Number (Owner and Spouse);
  • Registration for all vehicles owned in the county of your new address;
  • Recorded deed for new owners;
  • Trust document and affidavit if the property is in a trust;
  • Proof of income, previous year’s tax returns, and a copy of Social Security Award Letter (for Senior and other Special Exemptions).

Your recorded deed should have been sent to you by the closing attorney roughly 4-6 weeks after the closing. It’s important to follow up with the Tax Commissioner’s Office or Tax Assessor’s Office after you’ve filed your application to confirm that it’s been received and is being processed correctly.

Please note that the deadline for filing is April 1st for all counties in Georgia.

Each county in Georgia might offer different homestead exemptions that could be more beneficial to homeowners. As such, the most accurate and relevant information about the application process can be obtained from your county tax assessor’s office. If you reside in a city, you may also need to file with the city (e.g. Milton, Roswell, and Alpharetta)​1​.

For your convenience, we have listed the websites for the majority of tax assessors in the Atlanta metro area: