Understanding your property tax obligations in Georgia is crucial for responsible homeownership. This article provides an overview of:
How property tax bills work
Bills’ typical schedules and due dates
The implications of filing an appeal and how they affect bills
If you want a quick overview, you can watch our video below:
Property Tax Billing Schedule
In Georgia, property tax bills are issued annually, with specific timelines varying by county.
Issuance and Due Dates:
Many counties mail tax bills in August, with payments commonly due between September and December. For instance, Cobb County issues bills by August 15, payable by October 15.
Installment Payments:
Some counties offer installment plans. For example, Dekalb County has two installments: the first is due on September 30, and the second on November 15, 2025.
Temporary Assessments and Appeals
If you believe your property's assessed value is incorrect, you have the right to appeal.
Filing an Appeal:
Upon receiving your Annual Notice of Assessment, you have 45 days to file an appeal if you disagree with the valuation. The appeal must be submitted in writing or, if available, via your county's online portal.
Temporary Assessments During Appeals:
While your appeal is pending, you may receive a tax bill based on a temporary assessment.
This will be labeled on the bill as a "Temporary Assessment.”
This temporary value is typically the lesser of the previous year's assessed value or 85% of the current year's proposed value.
It’s crucial to pay this temporary bill to avoid penalties or interest — even as your appeal is processed.
Note that in Fulton County, you can elect to be billed at 100% of the current year’s assessed value instead of 85% of the assessed value listed on your assessment notice or 100% of the last approved assessed value.
This selection must occur at the time of your appeal.
Post-Appeal Adjustments
After the appeal process concludes, one of two things will occur depending on the outcome of your appeal.
1. Refunds:
After your property tax appeal concludes, if the final assessed value is lower than the temporary assessment and you've overpaid, you'll receive a refund for the difference.
2. Additional Billing:
Conversely, if the final assessed value is higher than the amount you already paid in the initial “temporary assessment” bill, you'll be billed for the remaining balance.
This situation will often arise if the difference between the temporary assessment bill and the final assessed value results in a higher tax amount than what was paid the previous year.
The due date for this additional payment is typically provided in the notice sent to the property owner after the appeal process.
Take Control of Your Georgia Property Taxes with Ownwell
By understanding the property tax process, including your county’s billing schedule and the appeals process, you can better navigate your responsibilities as a Georgia property owner.
Appealing your property taxes in Georgia is clearly complicated and confusing. However, saving hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars is worth appealing.
That’s where Ownwell comes in.
At Ownwell, we handle the entire appeal process for you. Ensuring your property is fairly assessed, and you aren’t overpaying taxes.
Our local property tax consultants use our proprietary software to analyze your property’s valuation. Then, file the appeal on your behalf and keep you updated every step of the way. Plus, you only pay if we save you money!
On average, we save homeowners $1,102, and 86% receive a reduction.
Don’t leave money on the table — sign up today and see how much you could save on your Georgia property taxes!
