Georgia Property Taxes Explained By Perigon Legal Services
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Property Taxes in Georgia
When you need Georgia property taxes explained, look no further than the Perigon Legal Services. Skilled attorneys offer this and more information. Call us now!
Author: Stan Faulkner, Founder, Perigon Legal Services, LLC
Mr. Faulkner is an experienced counselor and litigator with 15 years of experience, having held bar licenses in four states (Mo, Il, Ct and Ga). Stan Faulkner uses this experience and focuses his skills in the pursuit of assisting individuals in probate (trust and estate) matters, guardianships and conservatorships, estate planning, business disputes and contract disputes. Published on November 11, 2022.
Property tax laws in Georgia are administered by the Department of Revenue. They require real and personal property owners to pay the assessed tax within the stipulated time and file the necessary returns.
These taxes are generally used to fund state and local government services and infrastructure, including local law enforcement agencies and fire departments.
The property tax system in Georgia is assessed by how much a person owns. So, the more property you own, the higher your property tax bill will be.
However, the law provides some property tax exemptions for certain people. These exemptions could either exclude those qualified from payment of property tax or allow them to claim tax concessions up to a certain amount.
If you’re a property owner in Georgia, especially of real estate, this guide offers some insight into some of the challenging areas of property taxes. So, please continue reading to learn about real property tax assessments, exemptions, due dates, and how an estate tax planning lawyer can help you.
Who Pays Property Taxes in Georgia?
Property taxes are paid by the owners of the taxed property. If the property owner is unknown, the tax is charged directly to the property as a lien.
A life tenant is also liable for the property taxes that accrue while they occupy and enjoy the taxed property.
Property Tax Exemptions
Certain classes of property are exempt from property taxes under the Georgia Code, including the following;
- Public property (subject to certain qualifications under the law)
- Property owned by institutions of public charity
- Property owned by non-profit hospitals ( subject to the qualifications of the law)
- Schools, colleges, or incorporated academies
- Property of a non-profit home for the aged or mentally disabled.
Homestead Exemptions
The Georgia Code also allows for certain property tax exemptions and concessions where the taxed property is the owner’s home/primary place of residence. Some of these homestead exemptions are as follows;
- All homesteads in Georgia are exempt from ad valorem property taxation by the state or county, except for municipality taxes for school purposes. The value of this exemption is capped at $2000. So if the assessed tax for the property in question is ordinarily above the said amount, the homestead owner may be required to pay the difference.
- Homeowners 65 years and over qualify for a homestead exemption of up to $4000 on their primary residence if they’re legal residents of Georgia. To qualify for this exemption, the owner’s total net income for the previous year should not exceed $10 000, excluding income from Social Security, pensions, and benefits.
- Senior citizens 62 years and older are also eligible for property tax exemption if their annual income does not exceed $30 000.
- Honorably discharged and disabled veterans in Georgia are also exempt from paying property taxes on their homes for up to $50,000.
If you qualify for any of these exemptions, you’ll need to notify the appropriate authority by applying to your county of residence.
How Property Taxes Are Assessed
Georgia property taxes are ad valorem taxes and are assessed based on the property’s value. You are required to pay 40% of the property’s assessed value as determined by the county tax assessor’s office.
The tax assessor’s office in your county determines the fair market value of your home by several parameters, including the neighborhood and property type.
Where to Pay Property Taxes in Georgia
Where to pay your property tax depends on whether you’re paying for real or personal property. Real estate property taxes are paid to the tax commissioner in the county where the property is located. On the other hand, personal property tax is payable in the county where the property owner resides.
The mode of payment varies with each county. For instance, in Fulton county, you can pay your property tax online with a credit/debit card or the e-check payment system. This system is the same with Cobb county as well. So, if you’re unsure how to pay your property tax, you can visit your county website for more information on the approved payment methods.
When Are Property Taxes Due in Georgia?
Property taxes in most Georgia counties are due by December 20 each year. To be sure about the specific due date in your county, you can visit your county website for more information.
How Long Can Property Taxes Go Unpaid in Georgia?
Georgia property owners usually have 60 days after the due date on their tax bills to pay taxes. If they fail to pay within the required time frame, they could receive a property tax lien, which would prevent them from refinancing or reselling the taxed property.
Foreclosure proceedings may also be instituted by the county tax commissioner’s office 12 months after the tax becomes due. If the foreclosure suit is successful, you could lose your home to the state.
However, Georgia law is lenient with property owners facing economic hardships. If you cannot pay your taxes, especially those collected by the Department of Revenue, you can reach an agreement for installment payment with the department. This would allow you to pay your outstanding taxes conveniently within the approved period -usually not more than 60 months. If your county collects the property tax in question, you would need to find out if the option for installment payment is available. You can contact tax officers in your county for more information on this.
How Real Property Attorneys Can Help With Your Property Taxes
In most cases, you do not need an attorney to fulfill your property tax obligations. However, if there are any issues with your tax assessment or you feel you’re being overcharged, your attorney can file a property tax appeal with your county Board of Tax Assessors on your behalf.
Suppose you’re behind on your real property taxes. In that case, your Georgia real estate attorney might be able to negotiate a suitable payment plan with the tax authorities in your county if that option is applicable.
A real estate litigation attorney can also represent you in court if your property is in danger of foreclosure/forfeiture. With their legal knowledge and experience, they can set up a suitable defense on your behalf and work to ensure that you do not lose your home to the state.
Estate & business lawyers can also help you determine if you or your business qualifies for any of the tax exemptions under the law and can file the necessary exemption applications on your behalf so you can benefit.
Having a lawyer to deal with your tax issues makes things much easier. So, if you have any issues paying property taxes, or you need an explanation of how Georgia property laws apply to you, you can contact us at the Perigon Legal Services for legal advice and top-notch representation. We can liaise with the tax authorities on your behalf and help you reach a suitable outcome where possible.
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