Bulloch County property owners have until July 7, 2025, to apply for a Homestead Exemption, a key form of property tax relief that also enables eligibility for new protections under House Bill 581 (HB 581), which takes effect this year.
According to the Bulloch County Tax Assessor’s Office, 4,000 to 5,000 properties that likely qualify for the exemption are not currently receiving it. Homeowners who live in their property as their primary residence and meet basic eligibility requirements can apply either in person or online at bullochtaxassessors.org.
To apply online:
- Download the homestead application via the “click here” link on the homepage.
- Email the completed form to [email protected].
- Include proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, vehicle registration, or voter registration card.
Residents can check their current exemption status by reviewing their property assessment notice or searching their parcel summary on the QPublic website, which will indicate whether a homestead exemption is applied.
Why It Matters More This Year
Filing for a homestead exemption does more than reduce property taxes—it also activates eligibility for new protections under HB 581, a sweeping property tax reform approved by the Georgia General Assembly and passed by voters in 2024.
Under HB 581:
- Homeowners with a valid homestead exemption will automatically receive a “floating exemption” beginning in 2025, capping increases in taxable property value to the rate of inflation (as measured by the Consumer Price Index).
- This change is designed to limit spikes in property taxes, particularly in fast-growing housing markets like Bulloch County.
- The exemption does not apply retroactively, so homeowners must file by the deadline to benefit in 2025.
For example, if a property’s taxable value increases from $100,000 to $110,000 but inflation was only 2%, the taxable increase would be capped at just $2,000 under the new law—shielding $8,000 from taxation.
Additional Changes Ahead
The homestead exemption also factors into a broader set of reforms introduced by HB 581, including a potential local option sales tax designed to offset property tax losses. That sales tax option, however, can only be implemented if every city and the county participate in the floating homestead exemption.
As of early 2025, no jurisdictions in Bulloch County had opted out, and a local referendum on the proposed tax could appear on the ballot as soon as November.
In the meantime, residents are urged to act now to ensure they receive the exemption and its associated protections next year.
For more information, call the Bulloch County Tax Assessor’s Office at 912-764-2181 or visit bullochtaxassessors.org.
