A Georgia homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of your primary residence, lowering the amount you owe in property taxes each year.
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 Georgia homeowner, you may qualify for one or several Georgia homestead exemptions to lower the amount you pay for property taxes.
Key Takeaways
Standard S1 Exemption: Reduces your home's assessed value by $2,000 for county and public school taxes. Available to all Georgia homeowners who occupy their home as a primary residence by January 1.
Application Deadline: April 1 of the tax year
The HOME Act & Mandatory Floating Exemption: Initially established under HB 581 to cap annual growth in taxable assessed value at the inflation rate.
Under the newly enacted HOME Act (Senate Bill 33), signed into law in May 2026, this inflation cap becomes mandatory statewide starting in 2027, completely removing the option for local authorities to opt out.
Senior Relief: Homeowners 62+ may qualify for the S3 exemption; those 65+ may qualify for S4, which can provide up to 100% exemption on the home and up to 10 acres.
Veteran & Low-Income Exemptions: Disabled veterans and low-income households may qualify for significant additional relief that varies by county.
Types of Georgia Homestead Exemptions
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.
Exemption Name | Code | Who Qualifies | Reduction Amount | Applies To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard Homestead Exemption | S1 | Georgia homeowners who own and occupy their primary residence on January 1 | $2,000 reduction in assessed value | County and public school taxes |
Local Homestead Exemptions | L1 and L2 | Varies by county or city | Varies by local jurisdiction | County, city, or school taxes, depending on the local exemption |
Floating Homestead Exemption (Mandatory under HOME Act) | N/A | All homeowners who qualify for S1 (Mandatory statewide starting in 2027) | Limits annual taxable assessed value growth to the inflation rate | All taxing jurisdictions statewide (No opt-outs allowed starting in 2027) |
Senior Citizens Exemption | S3 | Homeowners age 62 or older with taxable income of $10,000 or less, excluding Social Security and retirement income | Minimum $2,000 reduction in assessed value statewide | Statewide minimum, with possible local additions |
Senior Citizens Exemption | S4 | Homeowners older than 65 with taxable income of $10,000 or less, excluding Social Security and retirement income | 100% exemption on the home and up to 10 contiguous acres, plus $4,000 off assessed value beyond 10 acres | Primary residence and qualifying land |
Disabled Veteran Exemption | S5 | Qualifying disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and surviving minor children | $32,500 or the maximum amount set under federal law | Primary residence |
Low-Income Household Exemption | N/A | Varies by county or city based on household income rules | Varies by local jurisdiction | Usually county taxes, depending on the local exemption |
How Much Are You Over Paying?
Standard Homestead Exemption (S1): Who Qualifies and How Much You Save
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.
Fair Market Value: $100,000
Assessed Value: $40,000, because Georgia assesses property at 40% of fair market value
S1 Exemption: $2,000 reduction in assessed value
Final Taxable Value: $38,000 for county and public school taxes
The reduced taxable amount will help you save annually on your property tax bill.
How to File for S1 Homestead Exemption in Georgia
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.
Download the State of Georgia Homestead Exemption application, or visit your county tax assessor's office.
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.
Georgia Floating Homestead Exemption (2025) and HOME Act (2027): How It Works
The Georgia floating homestead exemption limits the annual increase in a home's taxable assessed value to the rate of inflation, regardless of how much the home's market value has risen.
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 grow only at the annual inflation rate.
Calculation Step | Value |
|---|---|
2025 Market Value | $250,000 |
2025 Assessed Value (40%) | $100,000 |
2026 Market Value (after a 10% increase) | $275,000 |
2026 Assessed Market Value without floating exemption | $110,000 |
Inflation in 2026 (example) | 3% |
Inflation-Adjusted Assessed Value (2026) | $103,000 |
Floating Homestead Exemption Amount | $110,000 - $103,000 = $7,000 |
Final Taxable Assessed Value | $103,000 |
HOME Act and LHOST
While local jurisdictions were originally allowed to opt out of this exemption under HB 581, the passage of the HOME Act (Senate Bill 33) in May 2026 eliminates this loophole. Starting in 2027, the inflation-rate assessment cap becomes mandatory statewide — meaning counties, cities, and school districts can no longer opt out.
The HOME Act also introduces a secondary relief mechanism: the Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST). Beginning as early as November 2027, counties can choose to place a 1% local sales tax on the ballot. If approved by voters, 100% of this revenue goes directly toward funding additional homestead property tax exemptions.
Even with a mandatory inflation cap on the horizon, your baseline value matters. If your base-year assessment is set too high, your future capped increases will still be calculated from an over-inflated number.
Because of this, filing a Georgia property tax appeal remains an essential strategy to ensure your baseline is accurate and you aren't locked into overpaying.
Georgia Senior Homestead Exemption: S3 (Age 62+) and S4 (Age 65+)
In Georgia, homeowners age 62 or older may qualify for a senior homestead exemption that reduces their assessed property value, with additional relief available at age 65.
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
The S3 exemption provides Georgia homeowners age 62 or older with a minimum $2,000 reduction in assessed value, provided their taxable income does not exceed $10,000, excluding Social Security and retirement income.
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
The S4 exemption can provide Georgia homeowners older than 65 with a 100% exemption on their home and up to 10 contiguous acres, subject to the statewide income limit described below.
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.
Georgia Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption (S5): Eligibility and Amount
Georgia's S5 Disabled Veteran Exemption provides qualifying veterans with an exemption of up to $109,986 on the assessed value of their primary residence.
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:
100% service-connected disability rating: An honorably discharged Georgia resident with a service-connected disability rated 100% by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
100% disability compensation due to unemployability: An honorably discharged Georgia resident receiving full (100%) disability compensation due to unemployability
Permanent loss or loss of use: 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
Un-remarried surviving spouse: An un-remarried surviving spouse of a qualified deceased veteran
Surviving minor child: 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.
Other Georgia counties and cities may offer similar low-income homestead relief, so check with your local tax assessor to confirm what is available where you live.
County-Specific Homestead Exemptions in Georgia
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.
County | Unique Additional Exemptions |
|---|---|
Fulton County | Multiple local exemptions, including full school tax relief and expanded benefits for seniors and veterans |
Coweta County | $10,000 exemption on the county M&O portion |
Athens-Clarke | $23,000 reduction from the county exemption and $8,000 reduction from the school exemption beyond the statewide amounts |
Forsyth County | $8,000 reduction on the county M&O and fire services portion, in addition to the $2,000 state school tax exemption |
Note: County exemptions are subject to change through local legislation. Always verify current exemptions directly with your county tax assessor’s office before applying.
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Georgia homestead exemption?
The Georgia homestead exemption is a reduction in the taxable assessed value of a homeowner's primary residence, which lowers the amount of property tax owed. The standard exemption (S1) reduces assessed value by $2,000 for county and public school taxes. Additional exemptions are available for seniors, disabled veterans, and low-income households.
How much does the Georgia homestead exemption save you?
The standard S1 exemption reduces your home's assessed value by $2,000. Since Georgia assesses property at 40% of fair market value, a $2,000 reduction on a $100,000 home means you pay taxes on $38,000 instead of $40,000. Savings vary based on your local millage rate and any additional local exemptions you qualify for.
Who qualifies for the Georgia homestead exemption?
To qualify for the standard S1 homestead exemption in Georgia, you must own and occupy the property as your primary residence on January 1 of the tax year, and have a valid Georgia driver's license or state ID showing that address. Additional exemptions have further requirements based on age, income, disability status, or veteran status.
Does the Georgia homestead exemption renew automatically?
Yes. Once approved, the Georgia homestead exemption renews each year automatically as long as your eligibility remains unchanged. You do not need to reapply annually unless your circumstances change, such as moving, changing your primary residence, or a change in income for an income-based exemption.
What is the Georgia floating homestead exemption?
Originally introduced via HB 581, the Georgia floating homestead exemption limits the annual increase in a home's taxable assessed value to the inflation rate.
While local jurisdictions could previously opt out, the HOME Act (Senate Bill 33) enacted in May 2026 removes this loophole. Starting in 2027, the inflation-rate cap is mandatory statewide for all counties, cities, and school districts.
Additionally, the HOME Act permits counties to propose a 1% Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) starting in late 2027 to generate revenue explicitly dedicated to further local homestead tax relief.
Can I claim a homestead exemption on a rental property in Georgia?
No. Georgia homestead exemptions only apply to your primary residence, the property you own and occupy on January 1 of the tax year. Rental properties, vacation homes, and investment properties do not qualify.
How do I apply for the Georgia homestead exemption?
Download the LGS-Homestead application from the Georgia Department of Revenue website, or pick one up at your county tax assessor's office. Submit it with a copy of your Georgia driver's license or state ID showing your current address, and a recorded deed if your ownership is not yet reflected in county records. Applications must be submitted by April 1.
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.
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.
Even after applying for every exemption you qualify for, your home may still be over-assessed, meaning you're paying taxes on a value higher than your home is actually worth. A property tax appeal is a separate process from exemptions and can result in additional savings. Using both strategies can help lower what you owe more effectively than relying on either one alone.
