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Georgia · How-To Guide

How do I pay my property taxes?

County Tax Commissioner (county level - each of Georgia's 159 counties)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Locate your tax bill: Georgia property tax bills are mailed annually by the County Tax Commissioner (typically in summer/fall after the county budget and millage rates are set)
  2. Review your bill for the correct amount, parcel number, and due date
  3. Choose your payment method: in person at the County Tax Commissioner's office, by mail, or online through your county's payment portal
  4. Pay by the due date - due dates vary by county but most fall in October-December; some counties offer an installment plan
  5. Retain receipt as proof of payment
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Property tax bill or parcel ID number
  • Payment (cash, check, money order, or card - varies by county; online portals common; card convenience fees common)
Online Option
Most Georgia counties offer online payment through the County Tax Commissioner website; search "[County Name] County Tax Commissioner Georgia property tax payment"
Where to Go
County Tax Commissioner's office (address in your v2 county data for each county)
County-specific variations apply

Georgia's 159 counties each administer their own property tax billing and collection with different due dates, payment systems, discount structures, and installment options. Online payment portals and convenience fees vary widely. Metro Atlanta counties (Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Cobb, Cherokee) have the most robust online systems. Rural counties may require in-person or mail payments. Verify all details with your specific County Tax Commissioner.

Georgia Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Georgia assesses property at 40% of fair market value - your "assessed value" is 40% of the county's estimate of your property's market value.
  • Millage rates vary enormously by county and by taxing authority (county, city, school district) - Georgia has some of the highest variation in effective tax rates of any state.
  • HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION: Georgia offers a standard $2,000 homestead exemption from county and school taxes for primary residences - apply at County Tax Commissioner or Board of Assessors by April 1.
  • HB 581 (2024) / FLOATING HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION: New statewide floating homestead exemption effective January 1, 2025 limits annual assessment increases for homesteaded properties - but some counties, cities, and school districts opted out; verify with your county.
  • Senior school tax exemptions: many Georgia counties offer significant additional exemptions for seniors 62+ or 65+ on school tax portions - contact your County Tax Commissioner; varies significantly by county.
  • No state property tax in Georgia - all property taxes are local (county, city, school district, special districts).
  • Personal property (vehicles, boats) assessed by county and billed through the County Tax Commissioner.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Georgia Department of Revenue, Property Tax Division - dor.georgia.gov/property-tax | (404) 417-2100; County Tax Commissioner (varies by county)