Filing for Homestead Exemption
The Homestead Exemption is available to legal residents of Georgia for their primary homes. You are able to claim a partial exemption, which can amount to substantial property tax savings. Senior citizens may have additional exemptions available. Check with your county tax office. You are entitled to the Homestead Exemption if you owned and occupied your home by January 1. Unless otherwise note, the Homestead Exemption filing deadline is March 1st.
Where and When to File:
Cherokee County: 100 N. Street, Suite G-20, Canton. You may contact them at 678-493-6120 Monday- Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. www.cherokeega.com
Cobb County: Cobb County homeowners file by mail. You should be receiving applications soon. If not, consult the tax office at 100 Cherokee Street, Bldg. A, Ste 250 in Marietta 8:00 am-5:00 pm Monday-Friday, or call 770-528-8600. www.cobbtax.org
Clayton County: You may file at 121 South McDonough Street, Courthouse Annex 3 Building, Jonesboro. You may contact them at 770-477-3311 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday-Friday. www.co.clayton.ga.us
Dawson County: 78 Howard Ave E., Ste. 120, Dawsonville. You may contact them at 706-344-3590 Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. www.dawson.org
Dekalb County: 4380 Memorial Drive, Ste. 100, Decatur. You may contact them at 404-298-4000, Monday-Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. www.co.dekalb.ga.us
Douglas County: You may file at the Douglas County Courthouse. 8700 Hospital Drive, Douglasville. You may contact them at 770-920-7272 Monday-Friday 8:00 am–5:00 pm. www.co.douglas.ga.us
Fayette County: You may file at 140 Stonewall Avenue West, Suite 110 in Fayetteville. You may contact them at 770-461-3652 Monday–Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. www.admin.co.fayette.ga.us
Forsyth County: You may file at 110 East Main Street, Suite 260 in Cumming. You may contact them at 770-781-2106 Monday–Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. www.forsythco.com
Fulton County: 141 Pryor Street S.W., Room 1113, Downtown Atlanta, in North Springs. You may contact them at 404-730-6100. You may file in ANY Fulton County Tax Office. There are two annexes in Fulton County, 7741 Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs & 289 South Main Street, Alpharetta, Monday–Friday, 8 am to 5 pm http://www.fultoncountytaxes.org/fultoniwr
Gwinnett County: You may file at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. You may contact them at 770-822-8800 Monday-Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Call for Application. www.co.gwinnett.ga.us
Hall County: 300 Green Street, Gainesville. You may contact them at 770-531-6720 8:00 am– 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday. www.hallcounty.org
Paulding County: You may file at 25 Courthouse Square, Dallas. You may contact them at 770-443-7606 ext. 45 - 8:00 am-5:00 pm. www.paulding.gov
Rockdale County: You may file at 969 Pine Street, Conyers. Filing deadline is June 1st. You may contact them at 770-929-4152 Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm. www.rockdalecounty.org
What You Need in Order to File:
A copy of the recorded warranty deed, Social Security numbers of all persons on the deed, the mortgage holder, and the amount of the mortgage. Note: Some counties may require a copy of the closing statement.
Georgia Homestead Exemption Law has been amended
The Georgia Legislature recently modified the Homestead Exemption Law.
What are the changes?
- The new law provides for year-round filing.
- Beginning June 1, 2005, new homeowners may apply for their homestead exemption immediately upon receipt of their warranty deed, which is customarily mailed to them after recording.
- After 2005, new Homeowners will be eligible to file for the homestead exemption throughout the year of their purchase up until March 1 of the following year.
What about homeowners who purchase their homes before June 1, 2005?
- Those who purchased their home in 2004:
- These homeowners are already eligible to file their homestead exemption and will continue to be eligible until March 1, 2005.
- Those who purchased their home in 2005:
- These homeowners will be eligible to file their homestead exemption on June 1, 2005 and will continue to be eligible to file until March 1, 2006.
