Georgia Homestead Exemption: How To Save on Property Taxes

Property taxes are the one bill that never goes away for homeowners, even if you pay off your mortgage. Yet most homeowners do little to nothing to lower their tax bills. In fact, many let their mortgage companies handle property tax payments, making it easy to overlook opportunities to reduce the bill.

As a Georgian homeowner, you may qualify for one or several Georgia homestead exemptions to lower the amount you pay for property taxes.

Types of Homestead Exemptions Available

If you think you’re paying too much in property taxes, you may be able to lower your bill by claiming a state of Georgia property tax exemption. Below are the most common homestead exemptions and their qualifiers.

Standard (S1) Homestead Exemption

The Standard Homestead Exemption (S1) is the most basic exemption available for all Georgia homeowners. To qualify for this exemption, you must:

• Own and occupy the property on January 1 of the tax year

• Use the property as your primary residence

• Have a valid Georgia-issued driver’s license or state ID that shows the property as your current residential address

With the standard homestead tax exemption in Georgia, you'll get a $2,000 reduction in the taxable value of your home for county and public school taxes. The $2,000 is deducted from your assessed value, which in Georgia is 40% of your home's fair market value. However, this exemption doesn’t apply to city school taxes if you live in a city with its own school system or taxes used to pay government debts.

To put everything into perspective, assume your home's fair market value is $100,000. Your local county Board of Tax Assessors will assess it at 40%, which equals $40,000. If you qualify for the S1 exemption, the county tax assessor will subtract $2,000 from the assessed value and calculate your county and public school taxes on $38,000. The reduced taxable amount will help you save annually on your property tax bill.

How to File for S1 Homestead Exemption in Georgia

1. Collect the required documents: a copy of a valid Georgia driver’s license or state ID showing your current address and a recorded deed if your ownership isn’t yet reflected in county records.

2. Download the State of Georgia Homestead Exemption application, or visit your county tax assessor's office.

3. Submit your application before April 1 or within 45 days of your assessment notice.

If approved, your exemption will be renewed automatically as long as your eligibility continues.

Local (L1 and L2) Homestead Exemptions

On top of the statewide S1 exemption, you can qualify for different local homestead exemptions that many Georgia counties and cities offer. These local exemptions are categorized as L1 and L2. But unlike S1, which is a statewide exemption, L1 and L2 vary by county or city. Check with your local tax assessor’s office to understand the specific qualifications and exemption amounts that apply in your area.

In Coweta County, for example, the L1 exemption provides total exemption from school taxes on your home and up to one acre of land if you’re totally or permanently disabled and have an income of $12,500 or less per year.

If you’re in Glynn County, the L1 exemption gives homeowners an additional exemption of $8,000 from the assessed value for county maintenance and operation (M&O) taxes for meeting standard S1 requirements.

Floating Exemption

In November 2024, Georgia voters approved Georgia Amendment 1. This amendment created a new property tax relief called the Georgia floating homestead exemption.

Normally, if your home’s market value increases, your assessed value and Georgia property taxes increase. But under the floating exemption, the taxable value can only grow by the annual inflation rate.

You automatically qualify for the floating exemption if you already qualify for the S1 exemption, unless your county, city, or school district has opted out. Additionally, your county may have opted out of the floating exemption, while your school district opted in. Check with your local tax office to see which of your local taxing authorities have adopted the exemption.

For example, assume your home’s assessed value was $100,000 in 2024. If the annual inflation rate is 3% in 2025, here’s how the floating exemption would apply even if your home’s market value increases by 10%.

Senior Citizens Exemption (S3 and S4)

If you’re a senior homeowner in Georgia, you can qualify for additional homestead exemptions to reduce your property tax bill further. Depending on your age, you may be eligible for S3 or S4.

S3 Exemption Explained

You can qualify for the S3 exemption if you’re 62 or older and have a taxable income of $10,000 or less, without including Social Security and other retirement income. This exemption offers a statewide minimum tax relief of $2,000 off your assessed value.

Your county may opt to provide more. For instance, a county like Athens-Clarke offers an additional $25,000 off County M&O, $10,000 off School M&O, and another $10,000 off School bond.

S4 Exemption Explained

If you’re over 65, you can qualify for an additional senior citizen exemption. To be eligible, you and your spouse's taxable income must be $10,000 or less, excluding Social Security and other retirement income. Statewide, S4 offers a 100% exemption on your home and up to 10 contiguous acres. Beyond 10 acres, you’ll get $4,000 off the assessed value of the remaining property.

While the S4 exemption is established in Georgia as a homestead exemption for seniors, its practical application can differ from county to county because local government can override or expand it.

Disabled Veterans Exemption

Georgian veterans discharged with a service-connected disability can qualify for more tax relief under the S5 Disabled Veteran Exemption. With this relief, you can get an exemption of $32,500 or the maximum amount set under U.S. law for disabled veterans, currently up to $109,986.

You qualify for the disabled veteran exemption if you are:

• An honorably discharged Georgia resident with a service-connected disability rated 100% by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

• An honorably discharged Georgia resident receiving full (100%) disability compensation due to unemployability

• An honorably discharged Georgia resident who receives a statutory benefit for the permanent loss (or loss of use) of one or both feet, hands, or eyes

• An un-remarried surviving spouse of a qualified deceased veteran

• A surviving minor child of a qualified deceased veteran

Low-Income Household Exemption

Georgia residents with low household incomes can qualify for a local homestead exemption, which limits the annual increase in their county property taxes. These exemptions vary by county or city.

In Athens-Clarke County, for example, you can qualify for a low-income exemption if your household doesn’t exceed 200% of the federal poverty line, which varies by number of people in the household (2 persons = $42,300, 4 persons = $64,300). This exemption only applies to the county portion and not school taxes. You must apply in person to the tax commissioner’s office with proof of residency by April 1.

County's Role in Tax Exemptions

Beyond the state minimum exemptions, many counties provide additional exemptions that might impact your Georgia property tax payments.

Here are some examples of county-specific homestead exemptions in Georgia.

Since county exemptions are subject to local legislation, they may change yearly. Check directly with your county tax assessor’s office to understand which exemptions are available in your area and whether you must file separate applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I miss the application deadline?

If you miss the April 1 deadline to apply for the homestead exemption in Georgia, you can still apply during the 45-day property tax appeal window that follows your assessment notice. However, you must file in person. If you also miss the 45-day grace period, you can’t apply for the exemption for that year and will have to wait to reapply the next year before April 1 or during the 45-day appeal window.

If you’re a DeKalb County homeowner and missed a homestead exemption, you can still apply retroactively and claim a refund up to three prior years. At Ownwell, we'll appeal the more-than-necessary taxes on your behalf to reduce your tax bill.

Can I apply for multiple exemptions?

Yes, you can apply for multiple homestead exemptions in Georgia as long as you are eligible. For example, you can qualify for the standard S1 exemption and an age-based or disability-based exemption at the same time.

How do I resolve disputes over eligibility?

If your county tax assessor’s office denies or removes your exemption, contact them directly for clarification. You may need to provide additional documentation to prove your eligibility. If the issue isn’t resolved, you can file a property tax appeal within 45 days of receiving your assessment notice.

Maximize Your Homestead Exemption with Ownwell

Don’t leave money on the table. Check that you’re receiving the maximum exemptions you qualify for. At Ownwell, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. We’ll help you identify which Georgia homestead exemptions you may be eligible for so you don’t pay more than necessary.

Save money with property tax exemptions with Ownwell today, and pay less in fees.