Atlanta, Georgia – For eligible Georgia homeowners, the latest round of state tax relief will show up where it matters: on the property tax bill. The benefit reduces a home’s assessed value by $18,000 for the 2026 tax year, lowering the amount owed.
That figure is the reduction used to calculate the tax bill, not the dollar amount homeowners will save. And there is no separate payment to wait for, the relief comes through a smaller property tax bill.
Gov. Brian Kemp announced that the Georgia Department of Revenue will begin distributing money to local governments this week through the 2026 Homeowner Tax Relief Grant program. Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly approved the one-time relief in the amended fiscal year 2026 budget.
The announcement marks the start of state funding distributions to local governments, though some homeowners may already have received bills showing the savings. Others will see the reduction as their local governments continue issuing property tax bills.
“Along with our partners in the General Assembly, we are delivering on our promise to make life more affordable for hardworking Georgians by providing needed relief for homeowners from property taxes,” Kemp said.
“Because of our commitment to creating jobs and budgeting conservatively, we are able to take steps such as these to keep more money in Georgians’ pockets.”
For homeowners, the process does not require another grant application. Those with a qualifying homestead exemption do not need to apply separately to receive the benefit. The reduction applies directly to their property tax bill rather than arriving as a check or direct deposit.
Behind that process, the Department of Revenue is reviewing applications from local governments and releasing funding as the required documentation comes in and is verified. The department has been working with local officials across Georgia to administer the program.
“Governor Kemp and the General Assembly have made property tax relief a priority, and we’re pleased to begin delivering that relief to Georgia homeowners,” said State Revenue Commissioner David Burge.
“Our Department has been working closely with local governments across the state to administer this program, and it’s exciting to see those efforts translate into real savings for Georgia families.”
The distinction between the state’s funding distribution and the homeowner’s benefit is useful when reviewing a bill. This week’s announcement concerns money going to local governments; the homeowner receives the relief through the tax calculation. Some bills already reflect that adjustment, while others are still being issued.
Homeowners who are unsure whether they qualify, or who have questions about how the relief appears on their bill, should contact their local tax commissioner’s office. That is also the point of contact for questions about the relief reflected in an individual property tax bill.
Additional program details and answers to frequently asked questions are available on the Georgia Department of Revenue’s 2026 Property Tax Relief Grant page
