404-298-4000The DeKalb County Tax commissioner’s office began mailing more than 29,400 letters to homeowners who may be eligible for a senior exemption, a property assessment freeze, or a basic homestead exemption for the current tax year.
“We’re informing homeowners who may be eligible for a senior exemption, as well as homeowners who do not have a basic homestead exemption or assessment freeze, to apply before the April 1st deadline,” said DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson. “Now is the time to check your exemption status and apply to avoid delays.”
A homestead exemption significantly reduces the amount of annual property taxes homeowners owe on their legal residence. Special exemptions are additional tax savings for eligible seniors, disabled residents, disabled veterans or surviving spouse, surviving spouse of a U.S. service member, and surviving spouse of a peace officer or firefighter. Age and income requirements must be met to qualify for senior exemptions.
Homeowners applying for a homestead exemption must own and occupy the home as their primary residence as of Jan. 1, have all vehicles registered in DeKalb County at the primary residence, have a Georgia ID or Georgia driver’s license showing residency at the property, file income taxes from the property, and not have a homestead exemption anywhere else.
Residents in DeKalb who have owned their homes prior to 2007 with an existing homestead exemption may need to apply separately for a property assessment freeze. The benefit of a "freeze" is to help offset future increases in property value.
Applications can be filed online from January until the April 1; and in person year-round at all office locations during business hours. Appointments are highly encouraged and can be scheduled online at DeKalbTax.org/appointments to reduce wait times.
Exemptions must be applied for to determine eligibility. Applications received after the April 1 deadline will be processed for the following year.
Once an exemption is granted, it automatically renews as long as the owner resides at the property, or until a different exemption is filed and granted.
For more information on how to check your homestead exemption status online or to apply, visit DeKalbTax.org or call 404-298-4000 for assistance.
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About the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office
DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson, an elected constitutional officer, is responsible for billing, collecting, and disbursing $1.8 billion in personal and real property taxes, and administering homestead exemptions for the nearly 260,000 property owners. Also serving as an agent for the State of Georgia, the tax commissioner handles all aspects of motor vehicle registrations, including managing the collection of motor vehicle taxes, issuing vehicle tags and titles, and processing vehicle registration renewals for citizens and businesses located in DeKalb County, Georgia.
For more information about the Tax Commissioner’s office, please visit www.dekalbtax.org. For updates about the tax office, follow @dekalbtaxga on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and Bluesky.
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