Every property in Georgia is assigned a fair market value by the county Board of Tax Assessors. The taxable assessed value equals 40% of fair market value, and millage rates (per $1,000 of assessed value) from the city, county, schools, and state are applied against that. If your fair market value is too high, you're paying more than you should.

Property owners can appeal by filing a written appeal with the Board of Tax Assessors within 45 days of receiving the Annual Notice of Assessment. If the assessors don't adjust the value, the appeal is forwarded to the County Board of Equalization for a hearing. Evidence such as recent comparable sales, an independent appraisal, or documentation of property condition supports your case.

Filing with the Board of Tax Assessors is free. If you disagree with the Board of Equalization, you can appeal to Superior Court (filing fees apply) or, for assessments over $500,000, elect binding arbitration instead. You can represent yourself or hire a property tax consultant.

Georgia's $2,000 Standard Homestead Exemption applies statewide for owner-occupied primary residences. Many counties add substantial local exemptions — including senior (age 62–65+) school-tax exemptions that can eliminate school taxes entirely, floating homestead exemptions that cap annual assessment growth, and exemptions for disabled veterans. A successful appeal also triggers a three-year value freeze under O.C.G.A. § 48-5-299(c), compounding your savings.