DeKalb County Tax Commissioner reminds homeowners of cost-saving, do-it-yourself tips during property tax season

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Each year during property tax season, seniors and unsuspecting homeowners risk losing money to businesses offering tax-saving programs for homestead exemptions and assessment appeals.

 “We typically receive calls from concerned homeowners about businesses offering to help them save money on property taxes by filing a homestead exemption or an assessment appeal for a fee,” said Tax Commissioner Nicole Golden. “Unfortunately, it causes confusion for homeowners who may or may not be familiar with the filing process.”

“Solicitations via social media, radio, and mail are common, and I’d like to remind taxpayers there is no cost for these services—filing is free and easy to do yourself.”

DeKalb County homeowners are encouraged to check their exemption status to ensure they are receiving the best homestead exemption on their primary home. Exemption applications are accepted throughout the year, in person and online.

Homeowners who do not currently have a homestead exemption, or who may qualify for a senior, disabled veteran, or disabled resident exemption, may file online or in person during the assessment appeal window. The deadline to apply for the current tax year is July 13.

“I encourage homeowners to review their exemption status while examining their assessment notice. Any exemption application or appeal submitted after the deadline will not be reflected on the 2026 tax bills,” said Golden.

This year, the State of Georgia approved a one-time Homeowner Tax Relief Grant for homeowners with a valid basic, senior, or special homestead exemption. No application is needed; the HTRG credit is automatically reflected on the bill.

If a homeowner disagrees with the current valuation of their property, an appeal must be filed with the Property Appraisal Department within 45 days of the mailing date listed on the assessment notice. Instructions for filing an appeal are included on the back of the notice. For real property, appeals must be submitted by the July 13 deadline. Property owners who have not received an assessment notice should contact the Property Appraisal Department.

The Tax Commissioner’s Office is responsible for property tax billing and collection of taxes based on assessments. Newly redesigned tax bills are expected to be mailed mid-August following the successful approval of the county’s tax digest by the Georgia Department of Revenue.

To appeal an assessment, instructions are included on the back of the notice. For questions or concerns, please contact the Property Appraisal Department at 404-371-0841 or visit the county’s website for more information.

Questions regarding homestead exemptions and exemption status may be directed to the Tax Commissioner’s Office at 404-298-4000 or proptax@dekalbcountyga.gov. The deadline to file is July 13.

To learn more about the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office, visit DeKalbTax.org and review the office’s Annual Report. For updates from the office, follow @dekalbtaxga on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Bluesky.