Georgia homeowners who qualify for a homestead exemption are eligible for additional property tax relief in 2026 through a one-time, $950 million state-funded program. The Georgia Department of Revenue has published information and answers to frequently asked questions about the 2026 Property Tax Relief Grant, also known as the Homestead Tax Relief Grant.
The program was established through the state’s amended fiscal year 2026 budget and became law when Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 439 on May 12, 2026. The funding is intended to reduce property tax bills for qualifying Georgia homeowners without requiring local governments to absorb the cost of the relief.
The program provides qualifying homeowners with an additional $18,000 reduction in the assessed value used to calculate eligible property taxes. However, the Department of Revenue emphasizes an important distinction: Homeowners will not receive an $18,000 payment.
Instead, the reduction is used to lower the amount of property taxes owed. In Georgia, most residential property is assessed for tax purposes at 40% of its fair market value. For example, a home valued at $200,000 generally has an assessed value of $80,000.
The state’s property tax relief program allows an additional $18,000 reduction in the taxable assessed value for qualifying homesteads, subject to applicable exemptions and taxing rules. The actual dollar savings will vary depending on the millage rates that apply to the property.
According to the Georgia Department of Revenue, the program applies to properties claimed as a homestead by a Georgia taxpayer who met the applicable April 1 filing deadline. Generally, this means the property must be the homeowner’s primary residence and qualify for a homestead exemption.
The relief does not apply to rental properties or other properties that do not qualify as a homestead. Additionally, homeowners whose existing exemptions already eliminate their eligible property tax liability will not receive an additional benefit.
Will homeowners receive a check? No.
Unlike Georgia’s surplus income tax refunds, the Property Tax Relief Grant will not be issued through a paper check or direct deposit. Instead, eligible homeowners should see a reduction reflected on their property tax bills.
The Department of Revenue states that local taxing authorities must include a notice identifying the tax reduction as relief provided through the Governor and Georgia General Assembly.
Savings will depend on the millage rates assessed by the applicable local governments and school districts, along with the homeowner’s existing exemptions.
A mill represents $1 in property taxes for every $1,000 of taxable assessed value. For illustration, an $18,000 assessed-value reduction applied to a qualifying tax levy of 10 mills would result in $180 in tax savings. At 15 mills, the reduction would equal $270.
These examples are for informational purposes only and do not represent confirmed savings for Jeff Davis County homeowners.
The Department of Revenue also notes that the relief does not apply to certain tax levies, including bond millage rates and some special taxing districts.
The program operates through local taxing authorities rather than individual payments from the state.
After preparing property tax bills, local officials calculate the anticipated relief for qualifying homesteads and submit the required information to the Georgia Department of Revenue.
The state then distributes grant funding to eligible local taxing authorities, which apply the reductions to homeowners’ property tax liabilities.
According to the Department of Revenue, local officials are responsible for determining individual credits, subject to state validation.
What Does This Mean for Jeff Davis County?
For homeowners in Jeff Davis County and the City of Hazlehurst, the grant provides a form of state-funded property tax relief separate from local millage-rate decisions.
The grant does not change property assessments or the millage rates established by local governing bodies. Instead, it reduces the taxable assessed value used to calculate qualifying property taxes.
Actual savings will depend on the applicable county, city, school, and other eligible tax levies.
Homeowners should review their 2026 tax bills to determine whether the state-funded relief has been applied.
Hazlehurst Now has not independently confirmed the number of eligible Jeff Davis County households, the total grant funding allocated locally, or the average credit homeowners will receive.
What If the Credit Does Not Appear?
The Georgia Department of Revenue directs homeowners with questions about property tax bills to their local tax officials.
Residents who believe they qualify but do not see the expected relief should contact the Jeff Davis County Tax Commissioner’s Office for clarification.
The Department of Revenue states that local taxing authorities must provide the grant when it has been erroneously denied. Likewise, improperly awarded credits may be recovered.
This is NOT a permanent tax reduction. The 2026 Property Tax Relief Grant is a one-time state-funded program.
While Georgia has provided similar homeowner tax relief in previous years, additional grants in future years would require separate authorization and funding.
The Georgia Department of Revenue has published an extensive list of frequently asked questions covering eligibility, grant calculations, local government responsibilities, and how relief appears on property tax bills.
Homeowners are encouraged to review the official information and contact their local tax officials with questions about their individual property.
Official information and FAQs: https://dor.georgia.gov/2026-property-tax-relief-grant
Source: Georgia Department of Revenue, 2026 Property Tax Relief Grant, Property Owner and Local Government FAQs.
