Generally, a homeowner is entitled to a homestead exemption on their home and land underneath - provided the home was owned by the homeowner and was their legal residence as of January 1 of the taxable year (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-40). The home must be your legal residence for all purposes including the registration of your vehicles and filing of your Federal and Georgia State income taxes. You cannot file for a homestead exemption on rental property, vacant land, or on more than one property.

Savings vary depending upon where the property is located, but if you are eligible, you don’t want to miss the deadline for filing! The deadline for filing is April 1st of this year for all counties in Georgia.

Failure to file a tax return may result in a penalty, forfeiture of homestead exemption, and therefore, would increase your monthly payments. If your property is located within the limits of a city, you must also check with the city tax commissioner.

Depending on your county and city, your tax bill will be sent to you as early as July and as late as December. Some locals bill twice a year.

In the event your lender is holding tax funds in escrow, you should write your loan number on the tax bill and enclose the tax bill along with the next payment and forward it to the lender.

For information and help filing your Homestead Exemption, locate your county below and follow the link.