Your Guide to the Homestead Exemption in Georgia: Where to File by County, and How

A new year is here—which means tax season is officially underway. While that may sound intimidating, for homeowners it can actually be a big opportunity to save. Many homeowners don’t realize they may qualify for valuable property tax savings that can put real money back in their pockets.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through exactly who qualifies, what steps you need to take, and where to apply—broken down by county—so you don’t miss out on this powerful tax benefit. A few minutes of reading could lead to meaningful savings all year long.

💰 What Is the Homestead Exemption?

The homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of your primary residence, which can result in lower property taxes each year. It applies only to homes that are owner-occupied and used as your legal residence.

✅ Who Qualifies?

To qualify for the homestead exemption in Georgia, you must:

✔ Own the property
✔ Occupy the property as your primary residence
✔ Claim the property as your legal residence
✔ Meet all requirements as of January 1st of the current tax year

If you purchased a home in 2024 and are using it as your primary residence, you may be eligible to apply for the Georgia Homestead Exemption for the 2025 tax year. This exemption is a valuable property tax reduction available to owner-occupied homes, and it’s something every homeowner should take advantage of if they qualify.

🗓 Important: Your application, along with any required documentation, must be submitted by April 1st.
Applications filed after April 1st will not be granted until the following calendar year.

Here is exactly how to apply by each county in the North Metro Atlanta area, as well as qualifications and more info, by county!

1. Cherokee County
- Fill out the application and head to the tax assessors office!

2. Cobb County
- Click above for the link to their website, where you can file for the homestead exemption online through their portal!

3. Bartow County
- Head into the Bartow Tax office to file for homestead!

4. Fulton County
- Head to the Fulton County Tax Assessors website to find the guide for how to file for homestead exemption guide to determine which homestead exemption you qualify for! Once you find out which one you qualify for, head to their portal at the bottom of the guide

5. Forsyth County
- Head to the County page for more info, scroll to the bottom to apply online or you can apply in office.

6. Gilmer County
- You must apply in person at the Gilmer County tax assessors office

7. Dawson County
- You must apply in person at the Dawson County Tax Assessors Office! 

8. Gordon County
- You must go into the county assessors office and file in person!

9. Lumpkin County

- You will need to download and fill out the written application, and turn it in, in person, to the tax assessors office

10. Paulding County

- Download the application on their website and turn it into the county tax assessors office

Keep in mind that the homestead exemption must be filed on or before April 1st in order to take effect. This small but important step can make a big difference in your annual expenses! If real estate is on your radar for 2026—whether buying, selling, or exploring options—we’re here to help guide you every step of the way!