404-298-4000 Following the successful review and approval of the county’s 2023 tax digest by the Georgia Department of Revenue on July 28, 2023, the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office will mail nearly 260,000 tax bills to property owners beginning Aug. 15.
“The digest is an official listing of county property and its assessed value. This office, in conjunction with the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, CEO, Tax Assessor’s Office (Property Appraisal), GIS, Board of Education, city governments, and county administration, worked together to prepare the tax digest. Now my office can officially move forward with the responsibility of collecting county taxes,” said DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson.
Each year, property tax bills are computed based on millage rates set by the governing authorities, the fair market values determined by the Property Appraisal & Assessment Department, and the assessment valuation of 40%. The bills also reflect any credits (deductions) that may result from EHOST and homestead exemptions provided by state and local law. This year, the Governor and General Assembly of the State of Georgia approved a one-time Homeowner Tax Relief Grant for homeowners with a valid basic, senior or special homestead exemption, or for a homeowner who applied for one by the April 1, 2023 deadline and was approved.
The Tax Commissioner’s office is responsible for billing, collecting and disbursing county taxes. Each tax bill indicates how tax funds are distributed within the county. Bills display the breakdown of collected taxes for the county, including the county’s general fund, fire and police services, along with cities and school board. Generally, the school board receives a majority percentage followed by the county and cities. This year, the county is set to collect $1.6 billion in revenue.
“While we are performing our legal duties required of this office, we’re aware that the 2023 tax bills will reflect an increase for some property owners. I encourage taxpayers to carefully read their bill and the enclosed information,” said Johnson. “We will do what we can to assist in addressing any concerns regarding billing.”
Questions regarding property values should be directed to the county’s Property Appraisal Department at 404-371-0841. The deadline to appeal values was July 10 for real estate property; Aug. 4 for personal property.
All property owners can pay their tax bill in two installments. Since the Sept. 30 deadline falls on a weekend, the first installment is due Oct. 2; the second installment is due Nov. 15. Taxpayers are urged to look closely at their bill for partial and full payment amounts. City of Atlanta/DeKalb bills will be mailed later. Residents of Tucker will also receive a second bill, this year only, to cover services recently taken over by the city as of July 1.
Property owners paying the full tax bill amount must submit the full payment by the first deadline date to avoid a late fee. All mailed payments must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service by the due date; metered or kiosk postage dates are not accepted as proof of timely filing.
PROPERTY TAX REMINDERS
- DeKalb County property tax bills are mailed mid-August.
- Tax bills reflect a computed assessment based on multiple elements: millage rates set by the governing authorities, the fair market values determined by the county’s Property Appraisal & Assessment Department, and the assessment valuation of 40%.
- Taxpayers should be aware that in any tax year your tax bill could be higher due to an increase in the fair market value of your property but can be offset by tax savings (EHOST, exemptions and a one-time Homeowner Tax Relief Grant).
- To avoid waiting in line, payments can be made by mail or phone; by using the secure gold drop box at the Memorial Drive or Clairmont Road tax office locations or the secure mail slot at South DeKalb Mall tax office location; or by paying online (e-checks are free).
- Property owners may pay taxes in two installments each year by the due date. At least half of the payment is due Oct. 2 since the Sept. 30 deadline falls on a weekend; the second installment deadline is Nov. 15.
- If paying the entire tax bill amount by mail, it must be postmarked by the due date to avoid any late fees.
- All property tax payments made in the office or online may take 24-48 hours to appear on the website. Due to volume, payments received by mail during payment season may take up to a week or longer to post once received. DO NOT cancel payment. Please contact the tax office about any payment concerns to avoid late fees.
- Questions about property appraised values should be directed to the county’s Property Appraisal Department by calling 404-371-0841.
- Questions about tax payment and exemptions may be directed to the Tax Commissioner’s Office by phone at 404-298-4000 or email proptax@dekalbcountyga.gov.
- For up-to-date information, follow the Tax Commissioner’s Office on Twitter and Facebook at @dekalbtaxga or visit the website DeKalbTax.org.
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 $1.6 billion in personal and real property taxes, administering homestead exemptions for the nearly 260,000 property owners, and preparing the county’s annual tax digest. 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 Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
