Exemptions
As a DeKalb County property owner, am I eligible for special tax exemptions?
Homestead exemptions provide a significant reduction in annual property taxes and are available
to individuals who own and reside in a home in DeKalb County.
The property must be the legal residence for all purposes
(including filing of Federal and State income taxes, registering any owned or lease vehicles,
registering to vote, etc.) on January 1 of each year to qualify for or retain an exemption.
Only private residences are eligible for an exemption - at their primary residence.
Once an exemption has been granted, it remains in place as long as the applicant continues
to reside on the property, or until a different exemption is applied for and received. Homestead
exemptions are not transferable if an applicant moves to another residence.
You may check your exemption status by
reviewing your property information.
Homestead exemption applications are accepted year-round. Current year exemptions must be applied
for January 2 nd and April 1 st. Applications received after April 1 st will be processed for the following year.
Special exemptions are available for citizens 62 years of age and older,
disabled veterans, and other disabled persons. Applicant(s) for senior or
disability exemptions must apply in person and present copies of the previous year’s
Federal and State income tax returns, any Social Security Form 1099s,
proof of age and/or proof of 100% total and permanent disability.
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Basic Homestead
Basic Homestead is an exemption you may claim against the taxable value of
your home as long as you own and occupy that home as your
primary residence on January 1 of the year in which the exemption is being claimed.
There are no age or income requirements for this exemption.
All homeowners seeking a homestead exemption are required to file an application.
Application is not automatic. Neither your mortgage company nor closing attorney may file
the application when a home is purchased. A homestead application can be obtained
from the Tax Commissioner's Office. It may be returned by mail as long as it is postmarked no later than April 1 st.
You may request a homestead exemption application via e-mail by clicking on
proptax@dekalbcountyga.gov
or you may also apply on-line by
clicking
here.
Property Assessment Freeze
Residents in DeKalb County that receive the benefit of homestead exemption may also apply
for a property assessment freeze to help offset future increases in property value.
This freeze does not affect school, city or state taxes. Residents who
currently have homestead exemption must apply for this freeze, however new
applicants applying for exemption will receive the benefit of the freeze with
their exemption. Residents must qualify for this freeze by April 1st.
Click Here to apply.
Disabled Veteran or Widower
If you are a disabled veteran, un-remarried spouse of a disabled veteran or un-remarried spouse of a veteran killed in action, you may qualify for a Disabled Veteran/Spousal exemption which will provide additional savings on your property tax bill
Exemption for Un-Remarried Spouse of Peace Officers and Firefighters Killed in the Line of Duty
Provides an exemption for the un-remarried surviving spouse of a peace officer or Firefighter who was killed in the line of duty for all ad valorem property taxes. This will not affect any special assessments assigned to the property (sanitation, stormwater, or streetlights, etc.). This exemption must be applied for in person.
Disabled
If you are 100% totally and permanently disabled and meet certain income requirements you may qualify for the Disabled Exemption, which will provide additional reductions in your property tax bill.
Senior Citizen
Effective January 1 st, 2007, if you are 65 years of age or older, you are eligible to be exempt from state ad valorem property taxes. This is independent of any other senior exemptions that may be in place. Additionally, this exemption does not affect county, school, or city taxes.
70 years of age or older
If you are 70 years of age or older on January 1 st and the Federal Adjusted Gross Income (based on previous year's tax return), plus municipal bonds, of both you and your spouse, does not exceed $80,124, you may be entitled to the Special School Tax Exemption. (H9)
65 years of age or older
If you are 65 years of age or older on January 1 st and the Total Georgia Net Income of both you and your spouse does not exceed $10,000 (based on previous year's tax return) excluding Social Security benefits and most retirement income up to the maximum allowable under the Federal Social Security Act ($60,312 for 2012), then you may be entitled to a Senior School Exemption. (H4)
Or, if you are 65 years of age or older on January 1 st and the Total Georgia Net Income of the household does not exceed $15,000 (based on previous year's tax return), excluding Social Security benefits and most retirement income up to the maximum allowable under the Federal Social Security Act ($60,312 for 2012), then you may be entitled to a Senior Homestead Exemption. (H6)
Or, if you are 65 years of age or older and the Gross Income of the household does not exceed $16,000 (based on previous year's tax return), you may be entitled to a Senior Partial School Exemption. (H8)
62 years of age or older
If you are 62 years of age or older on January 1 st and the Georgia Net Income of your household does not exceed $10,000 (based on previous year's tax return) excluding Social Security benefits and most retirement income up to the maximum allowable under the Federal Social Security Act ($60,312 for 2012), then you may be entitled to the Senior Homestead and School Tax Exemption. (H3)
Or, If you are 62 years of age or older on January 1 st and the Gross Income of your household does not exceed $16,000 (based on previous year's tax return), you may be entitled to a Partial School Exemption. (H7)
For more information regarding County exemptions Click here
Other Local Exemptions
City of Atlanta - exemptions are granted along with County exemption
City of Avondale - local exemptions are not awarded
City of Chamblee - The basic homestead exemption is granted along with County exemption.
Elderly exemptions are applied for with the City of Chamblee.
- Basic homestead exemption of $30,000 off assessed value
- Elderly residents 65 and older and disabled residents that are 100% disabled can receive a 100% exemption from ad valorem taxes
City of Clarkston - seniors age 65 may apply for additional $20,000 exemption
from the assessed value of their property when they qualify for homestead exemption.
City of Decatur - exemptions are applied for with the City of Decatur
City of Doraville - exemptions are awarded along with the county exemptions
- Basic homestead exemption of $50,000
- Elderly residents age 70 and older can receive 100% city tax exemption
City of Dunwoody -
- Basic exemption - $10,000 off assessed value plus a 1 mill reduction off assessed value
- Senior exemption - age 65 with $15,000 or less GA NET income - $14,000 plus a 1 mill reduction off assessed value
City of Lithonia - city exemptions are awarded with the county exemptions
- Basic homestead exemption of $2,000 off assessed value
- . Elderly residents 65 and older and 100% disabled residents with net income less than $4,000 can receive an additional exemption of $2,000 off assessed value
City of Pine Lake - exemption is granted along with County exemption
- Basic homestead exemption of $4,000 off assessed value
City of Stone Mountain - local exemptions are applied for with the City of Stone Mountain
- Elderly residents age 62 or older with an income of less than $10,000 can receive an exemption of $20,000 off assessed value for city operations
How can I let the Tax Commissioner's Office know about an underserved homestead exemption?
A homestead exemption is available to a resident who owned and resided in a property on January 1 st
of the calendar year in which they claimed the exemption. If they moved out at any point of the year after that date,
they are still eligible to retain the exemption. However, if the property was rental on that date or vacant,
then the owners were ineligible to maintain the exemption. If you know of such a property, please feel free to
let our office know of this by email at proptax@dekalbcountyga.gov.
We will investigate the situation further.
Tax Sales
Does the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner conduct tax sales? |
A tax lien attaches to the property at its valuation on January 1 st of each year; (O.C.G.A. 48-2-56). A tax lien against real property is superior to all other liens and encumbrances and has priority over the title and operation of a security deed. The lien is released by paying the tax charged against it. On December 31 st (O.C.G.A. 48-3-3) of each year the Tax Commissioner must issue an execution of Fieri Facias (commonly known as a tax Fi. Fa.) against all delinquent taxpayers. Executions direct the levying officer to levy on the property to satisfy taxes owed the state, county, and schools. It is the duty of that person to enforce an execution by either collection or levy and sale.
Tax sales are held each month, generally from April through December. Sales are scheduled on the first Tuesday of any given month on the Courthouse steps at 11:00am. Notice of the sale is published once a week for four weeks immediately preceding the sale in the legal organ (newspaper) for the county, which is presently The Champion. We do not have a mailing list for our tax sales; however, if you are interested in what properties are being sold, you should contact The Champion Newspaper at (404) 373-7779, or by mail at: Legal Advertising, The Champion Newspaper, P O Box 3615000, Decatur, GA 30036-1500.
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Bidding commences with the total of taxes and costs (levy, recording, advertising and commissions) on each parcel, with the property being sold to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check. If no bids are received, then the County may bid in the property at taxes and costs.
While the successful bidder receives a tax deed, he has no immediate control over the property. The taxpayer or any other person having a right, title, interest in, or lien upon the property may redeem it at any time within twelve (12) months from the date of the sale or up until such time that the right of redemption is foreclosed by paying the redemption price to the tax sale purchaser. The purchaser is not entitled to rents and/or profits arising from the property during redemption period.
The redemption price is the amount paid for the tax deed at the tax sale plus any taxes subsequently paid by the tax deed purchaser plus 20% of that amount for each year or fraction of a year elapsing between the date of the sale and the date of redemption.
Twelve months after the date of the sale the purchaser may begin to forever bar the right of redemption by having proper notice served upon the taxpayer, occupant (if any) and upon all persons having recorded any right, title, interest in, or lien on the property in the county where the property is located in accordance with O.C.G.A. 48-4-45 through 48-4-48. An additional 20% may be charged upon service of notice. Thus a minimum time of one year and forty-five days elapses between acquisition of the tax deed and the right to physical control of the property.
Even though the purchaser receives defeasible title before the redemption period expires, he acquires sufficient interest in the property to make a return on the property after January 1 st the following year (if still unredeemed) and also to be liable for taxes due on it the following year.
A recent Georgia Supreme Court Decision has rendered “ripening by prescription” (O.C.G.A. 48-4-48) inapplicable to tax sale purchases in most cases. The Court determined that actual possession of the property is necessary for a tax deed to convey fee simple title to the property absent the process of barring or foreclosing the right of redemption. However, the worth of a tax title is subject to many factors. To ensure your rights you should consult a knowledgeable real estate attorney. |
Locations to Serve You
Where can I pay my bill in person?
There are three offices where you can pay your property tax bill in person:
Will I be charged for reviewing information about my property?
There is no charge for reviewing tax information about an individual property.
What type of online information is available about my property?
Information on your tax district, zoning and property class, last sold price, and amount due are all available using this site. click to
Review Tax Payment Information
Can other people view my property information?
Like all public records, all property tax information is available to any individual or company that wishes to review it.
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Property Assessment
Where can I find information about the assessed value of my property?
The Property Appraisal Department is responsible for the appraisal and assessment of property. You can visit its Web Site for more information regarding property appraisal in DeKalb County. You may also contact the Property Appraisal office at (404) 371-0841.
What is the relationship between the Tax Commissioner's office and the board of Property Appraisal's office?
According to state law, the Property Appraisal Department is responsible for the appraisal and assessment of property. The Tax Commissioner's office is responsible for billing and collection of taxes based on assessments. The Tax Commissioner has no authority over the amount of assessment, and is not involved in the appraisal process.
How do I appeal?
If you wish to appeal the value of your property, you may file a tax return with the Property Appraisal Department between January 2nd and April 1 st, at which time you may declare what you consider to be the fair market value of the property.
This will generate a review of the value by the Property Appraisal Department; a notice of assessment change will be sent to you in late March or early April if the Board disagrees with your value. You will then have 45 days to file an appeal if you continue to disagree with the assessment as set by the Property Appraisal Department.
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