In Georgia, property taxes are due twice a year, on February 1st and August 1st. If you fail to pay your property taxes by the due date, you will incur a penalty of 1.5% per month, or 18% per year. You will also be subject to a late payment fee of $25. If you have not paid your property taxes by December 20th, your property will be sold at a tax sale. You will have one year from the date of the sale to redeem your property by paying the back taxes, penalties, and interest. If you do not redeem your property within one year, you will lose ownership of the property.
## Property Tax Due Dates in Georgia
**Due Dates for Owner-Occupied Properties**
* **First installment:** April 15th
* **Second installment:** October 15th
**Due Dates for Non-Owner-Occupied Properties**
* **First installment:** May 1st
* **Second installment:** November 1st
**Table of Due Dates**
| Property Type | First Installment Due Date | Second Installment Due Date |
|—|—|—|
| Owner-occupied | April 15th | October 15th |
| Non-owner-occupied | May 1st | November 1st |
**Late Payment Penalties**
* Penalties and interest will be charged on late payments.
* The penalty for late payments is 10% of the unpaid taxes, plus interest at the rate of 1% per month.
**Payment Options**
* **Online:** Visit the Georgia Department of Revenue’s website.
* **Mail:** Send payment to the county tax assessor’s office.
* **In person:** Pay at the county tax collector’s office.
**Note:**
* Due dates are subject to change. Check with your local tax assessor’s office for the most up-to-date information.
* Property taxes are a major source of revenue for local governments in Georgia.
Property Tax Deadlines in Georgia
Georgia property taxes are due twice a year, on April 1 and October 1. The first installment is due by April 1, and the second installment is due by October 1. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment is due the next business day.
Penalties and Interest for Late Payments
There are penalties and interest charges for late payments. The penalty for late payment is 10%. The interest rate is 1% per month, or 12% per year. The penalty and interest are calculated from the due date of the tax to the date the payment is received.
The following table shows the penalties and interest charges for late property tax payments:
| Amount of Late Payment | Penalty | Interest |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $500 | $50 | $0.05 per day |
| $501 to $1,000 | $100 | $0.10 per day |
| Over $1,000 | $200 | $0.20 per day |
Payment Options
Georgia property taxes are due on January 1st of each year. There are several options for paying your property taxes:
- Online: You can pay your property taxes online through the Georgia Department of Revenue website.
- By mail: You can mail your property tax payment to the county tax commissioner’s office.
- In person: You can pay your property taxes in person at the county tax commissioner’s office.
Exemptions
There are several exemptions available for Georgia property taxes. These exemptions include:
- Homestead exemption: This exemption is available to homeowners who live in their homes as their primary residence.
- Senior citizen exemption: This exemption is available to homeowners who are 65 years of age or older.
- Disabled veteran exemption: This exemption is available to disabled veterans who are 100% disabled.
To apply for an exemption, you must file an application with the county tax commissioner’s office. The application deadline is April 1st of each year.
| Exemption | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Homestead exemption* | Homeowners who live in their homes as their primary residence |
| Senior citizen exemption | Homeowners who are 65 years of age or older |
| Disabled veteran exemption | Disabled veterans who are 100% disabled |
*The Georgia homestead exemption reduces the assessed value of a homeowner’s primary residence by $2,000.
Property Tax Payment Deadlines in Georgia
Property tax deadlines in Georgia vary depending on the county. Generally, taxes are due in two installments:
- The first installment is due on August 1st, with a due date of September 1st.
- The second installment is due on December 1st, with a due date of January 1st.
Tax Lien Process for Delinquent Property Taxes
If property taxes are not paid by the due date, the county will issue a tax lien against the property. A tax lien is a legal claim against the property that secures the payment of delinquent taxes.
The tax lien process typically follows these steps:
1. The county issues a Notice of Delinquent Taxes to the property owner.
2. If the taxes are not paid within 30 days of the notice, the county will advertise the property for sale at public auction.
3. The property is sold at auction to the highest bidder.
4. The proceeds from the sale are used to pay the delinquent taxes and any other costs associated with the sale.
Table of Property Tax Deadlines
| County | August 1st Due Date | December 1st Due Date |
|—|—|—|
| Bibb | September 1st | January 1st |
| Chatham | September 1st | January 1st |
| Cobb | September 1st | January 15th |
| Dekalb | September 1st | January 1st |
| Fulton | September 1st | January 1st |
| Gwinnett | September 1st | January 1st |
Well hey there, neighborly folks! Thanks for hangin’ out with me and geeking out over property tax deadlines. I know, taxes aren’t exactly the most thrilling topic, but it’s like that old saying goes: “Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to saving your hard-earned dough.” Now that you’re armed with all the info you need, go forth and tackle those tax bills like a champ. Remember, I’ll be here waiting if you have any more tax-related questions. Catch y’all later!