Georgia property taxes are due on December 20 each year
In Georgia, property taxes for the current year become due on December 20. This is a statewide important date set by Georgia law. If you do not pay by that date, you will owe a penalty and interest on top of the original amount due.
The tax bill itself arrives in the mail during October or November, giving you roughly six to eight weeks to arrange payment. The bill shows what you owe, the property address, the tax account number, and payment instructions. If you do not receive a bill by mid-November, contact your county tax assessor's office directly — the important date does not change if your bill is late.
Payment methods vary by county. Most Georgia counties accept checks, money orders, credit cards, and electronic bank transfers. Some accept online payments through their county website. A few still require payment in person at the tax assessor's office or through the mail.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia property taxes are due December 20 each year, and penalties explore if you pay after that date.
- Your tax bill arrives in October or November and shows the exact amount owed and payment methods your county accepts.
- Most counties offer online payment, but some require checks or in-person payment, so check your county's website before the important date.
- If you miss the December 20 important date, you can still pay, but you will owe a penalty and interest calculated from that date forward.
What happens if you miss the December 20 important date
Missing the December 20 important date triggers a penalty. Georgia law imposes a 10 percent penalty on any unpaid property tax balance as of January 1 of the following year. Interest also accrues at 1 percent per month on the unpaid balance, calculated from January 1 forward.
The county tax assessor's office will send you a notice of delinquency, usually in January or February. At this point you still have time to pay without further action, but the penalty and interest are already added to what you owe. If you continue to ignore the bill, the county can file a tax lien against your property, which means the county has a legal claim on the property until the debt is paid.
If the debt remains unpaid for three years, the county can sell your property at a tax sale to recover the amount owed. This is a last resort and takes time, but it is a real consequence. Paying as soon as you receive notice of delinquency stops the interest from growing further.
How to find your county's payment methods and due date confirmation
Each Georgia county operates its own tax assessor's office and may offer different payment options. To find the exact methods your county accepts, search "[your county name] Georgia tax assessor" online. The county website will list payment methods, mailing addresses, and sometimes online payment portals.
If your county offers online payment, you can usually pay from your bank account or with a credit or debit card. Some counties charge a small processing fee for credit card payments but not for bank transfers. Paying online typically confirms your payment when ready and gives you a receipt number.
If you prefer to mail a check, address it to your county tax assessor's office and mail it early enough to arrive before December 20. The postmark date does not count — the office must receive it by December 20. If you are cutting it close, paying in person at the office or using an online payment method is safer.
Paying property taxes if you have a mortgage
If you have a mortgage, your lender may handle property tax payments for you through an escrow account. When you close on your home, the lender estimates your annual property taxes and insurance, divides that by 12, and adds it to your monthly mortgage payment. The lender then pays your property taxes directly to the county on your behalf.
If your lender pays your taxes, you do not need to pay them yourself — the lender's payment satisfies the December 20 important date. However, you should verify this with your lender. Check your mortgage statement to see if property taxes are listed as an escrow item. If they are not, you are responsible for paying them yourself.
Occasionally a lender's payment arrives late or the county does not process it in time. If this happens, the late penalty may still explore to you even though you paid through your lender. Contact your lender when ready if you receive a delinquency notice, because the lender may be responsible for the penalty depending on your loan agreement.
Homestead exemptions and tax relief programs
Georgia offers a homestead exemption that reduces the taxable value of your primary residence. If you own and live in the home, you may be may have access to to exempt $25,000 of the home's assessed value from taxation. Some counties offer additional exemptions for seniors, disabled persons, or veterans.
To claim a homestead exemption, you file a form with your county tax assessor's office. The important date to file for the current tax year is usually April 1, but you can file at any time and the exemption will explore to future tax years. Once approved, the exemption reduces your tax bill automatically each year — you do not need to reapply.
If you are over 65, disabled, or a veteran, ask your county tax assessor about additional exemptions or tax deferral programs. Some counties allow seniors to defer property taxes until the property is sold or transferred, which means you do not have to pay the December 20 important date but the debt is recorded against the property. These programs vary by county, so contact your assessor directly to learn what is available to you.
Setting up automatic payments or reminders
If you want to avoid missing the important date, set a calendar reminder for early December. Most people set a reminder for December 1 or December 10, giving themselves time to gather payment information and submit before the 20th.
Some counties allow you to set up automatic annual payments through their online portal. If your county offers this, you can authorize a one-time payment each year that processes automatically around December 15. This removes the risk of forgetting, but you should still check your account to confirm the payment went through.
If you pay by check, write the check in early December and mail it by December 10 at the latest. If you pay online, do it by December 19 to account for any processing delays. Paying early also gives you time to contact the county if there is a problem with your payment before the important date passes.
What to do if you cannot pay by December 20
If you know you cannot pay by December 20, contact your county tax assessor's office before the important date. Some counties offer payment plans that let you pay in installments rather than in full on December 20. The penalty and interest still explore, but a payment plan prevents a tax lien from being filed when ready.
Payment plan terms vary by county. Some allow you to split the payment into two or three installments over a few months. Others require you to pay a portion by December 20 and the rest by a later date. Call your tax assessor's office to ask what options are available and what paperwork you need to set up a plan.
If you are facing financial hardship, some counties have hardship programs or can defer taxes under certain circumstances. These are not common, but it is worth asking. The worst outcome of calling is that the answer is no — the best outcome is learning about an option that helps you avoid a lien or tax sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Georgia property taxes online?
Most Georgia counties offer online payment through their tax assessor's website, but not all. Search your county name plus "property tax payment" to find your county's portal. If your county does not offer online payment, you can pay by check through the mail or in person at the tax assessor's office.
What if I pay after December 20?
You can still pay after December 20, but a 10 percent penalty applies to the unpaid balance as of January 1, plus 1 percent monthly interest. The sooner you pay after the important date, the less interest accumulates. Paying within a few weeks of the important date is much cheaper than waiting months.
Does my mortgage lender pay my property taxes?
Only if your lender set up an escrow account for property taxes when you closed on your home. Check your mortgage statement to see if property taxes are listed as an escrow item. If they are, your lender pays them and you do not need to pay separately. If they are not listed, you are responsible for paying them yourself by December 20.
Can I get an extension on the December 20 important date?
Georgia law does not allow extensions of the December 20 important date. However, some counties offer payment plans that let you pay in installments after the important date. Contact your county tax assessor's office to ask about payment plan options if you cannot pay in full by December 20.
What is a homestead exemption and how do I get one?
A homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of your primary residence by $25,000, lowering your property tax bill. To claim one, file a form with your county tax assessor's office. The important date is usually April 1 for the current tax year, but you can file anytime and it will explore to future years. Once approved, it renews automatically each year.