MONEY GLOBE XGeorgia homestead exemption: the deadline, the amount and the HB 581 cap
Georgia homestead exemption: file by April 1. The $2,000 statewide amount, the 40% assessment and HB 581's cap, on typical Georgia city values.
Last checked November 8, 2026. Every rule below names its source; the official pages are listed at the end with their own dates.
In short
- Apply with your county tax commissioner (or tax assessor) by April 1.
- Homes are assessed at 40% of value; the statewide exemption takes $2,000 off that for county and school taxes.
- HB 581 limits how much a homestead's assessed value can rise each year to the prior year's inflation, from 2025.
How to apply
The Georgia Department of Revenue says you can apply up to the deadline for property tax returns, April 1, at your county tax commissioner's office (in some counties, the tax assessor). Its page also says you may now apply until the end of the 45-day window to appeal your assessment notice.
The statewide amount
Georgia assesses a homestead at 40% of its fair market value. The statewide homestead exemption takes $2,000 off that assessed value for county and school taxes. Many counties and cities add larger local exemptions; your county tax office has the list.
Live data: assessed value of a typical home, September 2026
| City | Typical home value | Assessed value (40%) | After the $2,000 statewide exemption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $380,331 | $152,132 | $150,132 |
| Savannah | $318,893 | $127,557 | $125,557 |
| Augusta | $187,663 | $75,065 | $73,065 |
| Columbus | $175,906 | $70,363 | $68,363 |
| Macon | $171,522 | $68,609 | $66,609 |
| Athens | $338,623 | $135,449 | $133,449 |
Typical values used as example market values; local exemptions, if any, lower the taxed value further.
Source: Zillow Research (Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index), September 2026. Data updated November 08, 2026.
HB 581: the floating homestead exemption
- It limits the yearly increase in a home's assessed value to the inflation rate of the prior year.
- It started January 1, 2025, with 2024 as the base year, and applies automatically if you already have a homestead exemption.
- Counties, cities and school systems could opt out by March 1, 2025, after three public hearings.
In 2026, SB 33 (the HOME Act of 2026, signed May 11, 2026) changed the rules again. The Association County Commissioners of Georgia's summary says it removes local governments' ability to opt out, so places that had opted out become subject to the cap going forward. Ask your county tax office how this applies to your home.
Questions
When is the Georgia homestead exemption deadline?
April 1, with your county tax commissioner or tax assessor; the Department of Revenue also allows applications within the 45-day assessment appeal window.
How much is the Georgia homestead exemption?
The statewide exemption is $2,000 off the 40% assessed value for county and school taxes; many local governments offer more.
What does HB 581 do?
It limits the yearly increase in a homestead's assessed value to the prior year's inflation, starting in 2025.
Do I need to apply again every year?
Ask your county: once granted, the exemption usually continues while you own and live in the home.
Related guides
Sources
- Georgia Department of Revenue: Property tax homestead exemptions
- Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner: HB 581 floating homestead exemption (page updated April 29, 2026)
- Office of the Governor of Georgia: bills signed May 11, 2026 (incl. SB 33)
- ACCG (Association County Commissioners of Georgia): SB 33 summary, revised April 3, 2026
- Zillow Research data
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Create a free accountLast checked November 8, 2026. General information only - not financial, legal, tax or real estate advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source or a licensed professional before you act.