Happy New Year 2025! I hope you are healthy and doing well! I wanted to remind you to file for your homestead exemption if you bought a home in 2024 or have forgotten to file from an earlier year. A homestead exemption is a legal provision that helps reduce the amount of property taxes you pay on your home and saves you money. Under Georgia law, you are entitled to a homestead exemption for the property that you own and occupy as your primary residence as of January 1, 2025. The exemption is not automatic, however, and you have to properly file for the exemption to save on your taxes. You can find instructions on how to file for the exemption for several metro Atlanta counties at the end of this letter.
You will need to file the homestead exemption application and submit all requisite information and documentation by April 1 in order to be granted the homestead exemption for this year. Please don’t wait until the last minute to file in case there is an issue with your application. Once you have properly filed for the homestead exemption and it has been granted, the exemption will remain on your property until there is a change in ownership (i.e., you do NOT need to refile for the exemption every year). In order to complete the application, you may need the following information and documentation:
- Georgia Driver’s License or valid GA identification;
- Social Security Number (Owner and Spouse)
- Registration for all vehicles owned
- Recorded deed for new owner
- Trust document and affidavit if the property is in a trust
Proof of income, previous year’s tax returns, and 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 approximately 4-6 weeks after the closing. Please remember to contact the Tax Commissioner’s Office or Tax Assessor’s Office after you have filed the homestead application to confirm receipt and that the taxing authority considers the exemption properly filed and granted.
Filing the forms vary county to county so please visit the websites to confirm the method required for your county. The county websites will also outline what proof is required by to show it is your PRIMARY residence.
As always, if you have questions or need guidance, we are here to help. Please call or email us so we can assist.
All the best in 2025,
Matt,
Your Favorite REALTOR®
(770) 652-6528
www.TheMattBrownGroup.com
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION 2025
Below are the phone numbers, websites and exemption form links for many metro Atlanta counties. If you don’t see one on the list that you need, please email or call me. Remember that to file homestead in 2025, you must have owned the property on or before 1/01/2025 and file by 4/01/2025.
BARTOW
(770) 387-5111
Bartow Tax Commissioner https://tinyurl.com/BartowTaxCommissioner
Application for Homestead Exemption https://tinyurl.com/BartowHowToFile
CHEROKEE
(678) 493-6400
Cherokee Tax Commissioner https://tinyurl.com/CherokeeTaxCommissioner
How to File https://tinyurl.com/CherokeeHowToFile
CLAYTON
(770) 477-3311
Clayton Tax Commissioner https://tinyurl.com/ClaytonTaxCommissioner
How to File https://tinyurl.com/ClaytonHowToFile
COBB
(770) 528-8600
Cobb Tax Commissioner https://tinyurl.com/CobbTaxCommissioner How to File https://tinyurl.com/Filing-Form
City of Marietta
(770) 794-5680
How to File https://tinyurl.com/CityOfMarietta
City of Smyrna
(678) 631-5318
How to File https://tinyurl.com/SmyrnaExemption
DEKALB
(404) 298-4000
DeKalb Tax Commissioner https://tinyurl.com/DekalbTaxCommissioner DeKalb Sign-in Access https://tinyurl.com/DekalbExemption
City of Decatur
404-370-4100
City of Decatur Application https://tinyurl.com/CityOfDecaturForm
City of Atlanta within DeKalb-
If the property is in the City of Atlanta, when you apply for the Homestead Exemption in DeKalb County, it will automatically place an application for the City of Atlanta
DOUGLAS
(770) 920-7272
Douglass Tax Commissioner https://tinyurl.com/DouglasTax
Douglas County File Online https://tinyurl.com/douglas
FORSYTH
(770) 781-2110
Forsyth Tax Commissioner https://tinyurl.com/ForsythTaxCommissioner
How to File https://tinyurl.com/ForsythHowToFile
FULTON
(404) 613-6100
Fulton Tax Commissioner https://tinyurl.com/FultonTaxCommissioner Fulton County Sign-in Access https://tinyurl.com/FultonTaxSignIn
***Multiple Cities Within Fulton***
If the property is in the City of Atlanta, Sandy Springs or Johns Creek, when the application for Homestead Exemption is filed in Fulton County, the application will automatically file for a Homestead Exemption in the City of Atlanta.
GWINNETT
(770) 822-8800
Gwinnett Tax Commissioner https://tinyurl.com/TheGwinnettTaxCommissioner
How to File https://tinyurl.com/GwinnettExemption
HALL
(770) 531-6950
Hall Tax Commissioner https://tinyurl.com/HallTaxCommissioner How to File https://tinyurl.com/HallCountyFileOnline
HENRY
(770) 288-8139
Henry Tax Commissioner https://tinyurl.com/HenryTaxCommissioner
How to File https://tinyurl.com/HenryHowToFile
PAULDING
(770) 443-7581
Paulding Tax Commissioner https://tinyurl.com/PauldingTaxCommissioner
How to File https://tinyurl.com/PauldingHowToFile