Georgia property taxes are due December 20 each year

In Georgia, property taxes for the current year become due on December 20. This is a hard important date set by state law. If you own property in Georgia, your tax bill arrives in the fall, and you have until December 20 to pay without penalty.

The tax year runs from January 1 to December 31, so the December 20 due date gives you roughly three weeks after the bill arrives to submit payment. Payments made after December 20 incur a penalty of 10 percent of the unpaid tax amount, plus interest that accrues monthly.

Key Takeaways

  • Property tax bills in Georgia are due by December 20 each year, with a 10 percent penalty applied to any amount paid after that date.
  • Your county tax assessor's office sends bills in the fall, usually by October or November, and the bill itself shows the exact due date and payment address.
  • You can pay by mail, in person at your county tax office, or online through your county's website — payment methods vary by county.
  • If you miss the December 20 important date, you can still pay, but the penalty and interest charges will be added to your total amount owed.

How to find your bill and payment address

Your county tax assessor mails property tax bills to the address on file for your property. Bills typically arrive between October and November. The bill shows the amount owed, the due date (December 20), and instructions for payment.

If you do not receive a bill by early December, contact your county tax assessor's office directly. You can find the office phone number and address on your county's website. The assessor can confirm whether a bill was mailed and provide payment details if your copy was lost.

Some counties also allow you to view your bill online through the tax assessor's website before the paper bill arrives. Searching "[your county name] Georgia tax assessor" will take you to the office website, where you may be able to look up your property and see the amount owed.

Payment methods by county

Georgia counties offer different ways to pay property taxes. The most common methods are mail, in-person payment at the tax office, and online payment through the county website. Some counties also accept payment by phone or through third-party payment services.

Mail payments should be sent to the address shown on your bill, and you should mail them early enough to arrive by December 20 — not postmarked by December 20, but actually received. In-person payments can be made at your county tax assessor's office during business hours, usually Monday through Friday.

Online payment is the fastest and safest method if your county offers it. Visit your county tax assessor's website and look for a "pay taxes online" or "pay my bill" link. You will need your property account number, which appears on your tax bill. Online payments typically process within one to two business days.

What happens if you pay late

Any payment received after December 20 is considered late. Georgia law requires a 10 percent penalty on the unpaid tax amount, plus interest. Interest accrues at 1 percent per month (12 percent per year) on the unpaid balance, calculated from January 1 of the tax year.

For example, if your tax bill is $1,000 and you pay on January 20, you owe $1,000 plus a $100 penalty (10 percent) plus interest for one month. The interest on $1,000 at 1 percent per month equals $10, so your total payment would be $1,110.

The longer you wait, the more interest accumulates. If a bill remains unpaid for several months, the county may file a tax lien against your property, which affects your ability to sell or refinance. Paying as soon as possible after receiving your bill keeps these charges to a minimum.

Installment payment plans

If you cannot pay the full amount by December 20, some Georgia counties allow you to set up an installment plan. Contact your county tax assessor's office to ask whether this option is available in your county and what the terms are.

Installment plans typically require you to pay a portion of the bill by the December 20 important date, with the remainder due in later installments. Even with a plan, penalties and interest may still explore to amounts paid after December 20, depending on your county's policy. Ask the tax assessor's office specifically whether penalties are waived if you are on an approved plan.

Homestead exemptions and other reductions

Georgia offers a homestead exemption that reduces the assessed value of your primary residence, which lowers your property tax bill. If you own a home in Georgia and live there as your main residence, you may be may have access to to this exemption.

To claim the homestead exemption, you must file an process with your county tax assessor's office. The important date to file for the current year varies by county but is usually in April. Once approved, the exemption applies to future tax bills, not retroactively to bills already issued.

Georgia also offers exemptions for seniors, disabled persons, and disabled veterans. Each exemption has its own income limits and filing requirements. Your county tax assessor's office can provide information about which exemptions you may be may have access to to and how to file for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I own property in multiple Georgia counties?

Each county sends a separate bill for property located in that county. You must pay each bill by December 20 to avoid penalties. Contact each county's tax assessor's office to confirm the amount owed and the payment address for each property.

Can I pay my property taxes online if my county does not have a website?

Not all Georgia counties offer online payment. If your county does not have an online option, you can pay by mail or in person at the tax assessor's office. Call the office to ask about payment methods available in your county.

Do I have to pay property taxes if I am behind on my mortgage?

Yes. Property taxes are separate from mortgage payments. Your mortgage lender may pay your property taxes on your behalf if you fall behind, then add the amount to your loan balance. However, you are still responsible for ensuring the taxes are paid by December 20 to avoid penalties.

What happens if I do not pay my property taxes for several years?

Georgia allows counties to foreclose on properties with unpaid taxes. After a certain period of nonpayment, the county can sell your property at a tax sale to recover the unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest. Contact your county tax assessor when ready if you are unable to pay.

Can I deduct Georgia property taxes on my federal income tax return?

You may be able to deduct state and local property taxes on your federal return, but there is a limit of $10,000 per year for all state and local taxes combined. Consult a tax professional or the IRS website for details about your specific situation.