Homestead Exemption Form

Click on the link below for your homestead tax exemption form. 

https://dor.georgia.gov/property-tax-homestead-exemptions

County Resident Bryan

Bryan County

To file the Homestead Exemption in Bryan County, you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new address) to the Bryan County Tax Commissioner’s Office in either Richmond Hill or Pembroke. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2023.

Richmond Hill Office

66 Captain Matthew Freeman Drive, Suite 229

Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324

912-756-2434

Pembroke Office

11 North Courthouse Street

Pembroke, Georgia 31321

912-653-3880

Online Information:

Homestead Tax Exemption information and application link

To determine whether Bryan County has an alternative to filing in person, please call the Tax Assessor’s Office directly.

County Resident Bulloch

Bulloch County

To file the Homestead Exemption in Bulloch County, you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new address) to the Bulloch County Tax Assessor’s Office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2023.

Bulloch County Tax Assessor’s Office

113 North Main Street

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

912-764-2181

Online Information

Homestead Exemption information

To determine whether Bulloch County has an alternative to filing in person, please call the Tax Assessor’s Office directly.

County Resident of Effingham

Effingham County

To file the Homestead Exemption in Effingham County, you will need to bring your driver’s license and a utility bill (both showing the new address) to the Effingham County Tax Assessor’s Office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2023.

Effingham County Tax Assessor’s Office

901 North Pine Street, Suite 106

Springfield, Georgia 31329

912-754-2125

Online Information

About Homestead Tax Exemption

Apply with this link - Fill in your address and look for the Apply Homestead Exemption button at the top and fill out the form. 

To determine whether Effingham County has an alternative to filing in person, please call the Tax Commissioner’s Office directly.

County Resident of Glynn

Glynn County

To file the Homestead Exemption in Glynn County, you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new address) to the Glynn County Tax Assessor’s Office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2023.

Glynn County Tax Assessor’s Office

1725 Reynolds Street

Brunswick, Georgia 31520

912-554-7000

Online Information

Homestead Tax Exemption Information

To determine whether Glynn County has an alternative to filing in person, please call the Tax Commissioner’s Office directly.

County Resident of Liberty

Liberty County

To file the Homestead Exemption in Liberty County, you will need to bring your driver’s license, vehicle registration and a current utility bill (all showing the new address) to the Liberty County Tax Assessor’s Office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2023.

Liberty County Tax Assessor’s Office

112 North Main Street

Hinesville, Georgia 31313

912-876-2823

Online Information:

Homestead Tax Exemption Information

Homestead Application

To determine whether Liberty County has an alternative to filing in person, please call the Tax Commissioner’s Office directly.

County Resident of Long

Long County

To file the Homestead Exemption in Long County, you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new address) to the Long County Tax Assessor’s Office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2023.

Long County Tax Assessors’ Office

285 South McDonald Street

Ludowici, Georgia 31316

912-545-9111

Online Information:

Homestead Tax Exemption Information

To determine whether Long County has an alternative to filing in person, please call the Tax Commissioner’s Office directly.

County Resident of McIntosh

McIntosh County

To file the Homestead Exemption in McIntosh County, you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new address) and vehicle registration to the McIntosh County Tax Assessor’s Office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2023.

McIntosh County Tax Assessor’s Office

601 North Way

Darien, Georgia 31305

912-437-6663

Online Information:

Homestead Tax Exemption

To determine whether McIntosh County has an alternative to filing in person, please call the Tax Commissioner’s Office directly.

County Resident of Tattnall

Tattnall County

To file the Homestead Exemption in Tattnall County, you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new address) to the Tattnall County Tax Assessor’s Office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed by April 1, 2023.

Tattnall County Tax Assessor’s Office

108 West Brazell Street

Reidsville, Georgia 30453

912-557-4010

Online Information:

Homestead Tax Exemption

To determine whether Tattnall County has an alternative to filing in person, please call the Tax Commissioner’s Office directly.

County Resident of Chatham

Chatham County

To determine the correct time for you to file the Homestead Exemption in Chatham County, please complete the following steps:

• Go to the Chatham County Board of Assessor’s website at boa.chathamcountyga.gov.
• Scroll about halfway down the page and click the Online Filings & Records Search tab. Read the disclaimer and select the Agree tab.
• Type in your property address ONLY and click the Search button.
• Once you locate your property, click on the address to open the link.
• Locate and click on the Property Record Card (PRC) tab on the left side of the page.
• Scroll down until you see Appraised Values. Locate the 2022 Tax Year and go to the Appraised Total in that same row (4th column). That amount is the 2022 fair market value. NOTE: Do not be alarmed if the PRC for your property is not in your name yet. The Tax Assessor will update its record to reflect the new owner during the first quarter of 2023.
• Please click the link below that corresponds with your property’s Appraised Value and your purchase price:
• Appraised Total is more than I paid.
• Appraised Total is the same or less than I paid.

My property’s 2022 Appraised Total is more than I paid.

For those of you who bought a primary residence located in Chatham County in 2022 at a price lower than the 2022 Appraised Total, then do not file the Homestead Exemption in 2022 (however, if the difference between the 2022 Appraised Total and what you paid for the home is small, you likely should go ahead and file). So why don’t I file yet? If you file the Homestead Exemption under these circumstances, you will stabilize your tax assessed value (also known as the Stephens-Day Exemption value) at an amount higher than what you paid for the property.  So, what do I do?

Around mid-May 2023, you should receive a valuation notice (Annual Notice of Assessment) from the Chatham County Tax Assessor that shows the 2023 Current Fair Market Value as equal to the price you paid for the home.  Assuming that is what the Notice of Assessment shows, you should file the Homestead Exemption between January 1, 2024 and April 1, 2024. Do NOT forget!

If for some reason the Notice of Assessment you receive does not reflect your purchase price (as there are a few exceptions), the Notice of Assessment will provide you instructions on how to appeal your home’s tax assessed value. You would want to file an appeal in an attempt to have the county reduce your home’s fair market value to your purchase price. Once the appeal process is completed and you are satisfied with the fair market value determined by the county then remember to file for the Homestead Exemption before April 1, 2024.

If you have not received the Notice of Assessment by mid-May 2023, please contact the Tax Assessor’s office to ensure you know when those will be mailed (and confirm the mailing address that the county will mail it to).

IMPORTANT: Even if the 2022 Appraised Total is higher than what you paid for the property, there are certain circumstances in which you should still file. For example, if you qualify for a much larger exemption (i.e., disability exception), then that larger exemption may outweigh your decision not to file.

My property’s 2022 Appraised Total is the same or less than I paid.

If the 2022 Appraised Total is the same or less than what you paid for your home (assuming this is not new construction), you want to file for the Homestead Exemption on or before April 1, 2023. By filing for the Homestead Exemption, you will receive a reduction of your home’s assessed value each year going forward as long as you reside in the home as your primary residence. In addition, you will be able to stabilize your home’s assessed value (the exemption that stabilizes for home’s fair market value is known as the Stephens-Day Exemption). This is a good thing because this will prevent your home’s assessed value from significantly increasing over the years (as long as you do not apply for a building permit).

New Construction Homes

Often times when you purchase a new construction home, the county has not assessed the completed home, just the land value. Thus, when you look at the 2022 Appraised Total it may show a very low number (likely just the value for the lot). While you will not be able to take advantage of this super low value you still can and should file the Homestead Exemption. However, you MUST remember to obtain your Annual Notice of Assessment which the county will mail to you in mid-May 2023. The Notice of Assessment will have the Current Year Fair Market Value which will include both the land and building value. If that value is right around or less than what you paid for the home then there is nothing further to do (assuming you already filed for the Homestead Exemption). If that value is much more than what you paid for the home then you will need to file an appeal in an attempt to have the fair market value (for Stephens-Day purposes) reduced to your purchase price.

To file the Homestead and Stephens Day Exemption in Chat ham County, you will need your driver’s license and vehicle registration (both showing the new address).  You will file online by following these steps:

1. Go to the Chatham County Board of Assessor’s website at chathamcountyga.gov.
2. Scroll about halfway down the page and click the Online Filings & Records Search Read the disclaimer and select the Agree tab.
3. Locate and click on the E-File tab at the top of the screen.
4. Click on the New User? Create an account tab to create an account.
5. Once an account has been created, select Homestead Application from the list of available filings. Click Begin Filing.
6. Type in your property address ONLY and click the Search
7. Once you locate the property, click Start Filing.
8. Follow all prompts to complete the application, clicking Next when each page is complete.
9. When prompted to attach your Georgia Driver License and Georgia Motor Vehicle Registration (both showing the new address), click Select files to upload the documents. NOTE: You will need to scan or upload the documents to your computer or device prior to completing this step.
10. Submit the application when complete.

NOTE: If you are filing any additional exemptions (i.e., senior, disabled veterans, etc.) you MUST file in person at the Tax Assessor’s Office. 

Chatham County Tax Assessor’s Office

222 West Oglethorpe Avenue

Savannah, Georgia 31401

912-652-7100

Information Provided By

Joel K. Gerber

Brannen, Searcy & Smith, LLP

Savannah Office (Mailing Address):

22 East 34th Street

Savannah, Georgia 31401

Richmond Hill Office:

405 Harris Trail Road, Unit A

Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324

(912) 234-8875 (main)

(912) 232-1792 (fax)

(912) 484-1996 (cell)