Fulton County Adopts 2026 Budget — Keeps Property Tax Rate at 8.87 Mills

Fulton County Commissioners voted YES to approve the 2026 fiscal year budget while holding the county’s General Fund property tax rate steady at 8.87 mills — the same rate residents have paid for several years. This decision comes after county leadership listened to residents who clearly opposed any tax increase during recent public hearings. As a Commissioner, my position has been clear from the start: I will not support a tax increase to fund a budget filled with bloat. If taxes are ever required to go up to fund mandated, legal requirements, we must make significant cuts to spending first.

What this means for taxpayers:

The 8.87 mills rate translates to NO increase in the county’s tax rate compared with the prior year — a win for property owners facing rising costs elsewhere.

Stability in the millage rate helps families, seniors on fixed incomes, and small business owners budget with confidence.

While property values naturally change from year to year, the decision not to raise the tax rate helps limit the overall tax burden on homeowners

Taxpayers must remain vigilant for the final millage rate adoption in late summer

What this means for Fulton County

Fiscal discipline will be more important than ever – we cannot afford to fund an ever increasing list of pet projects

Meeting legal obligations must remain the first priority in the budget during the year

Apply Now: 2026 Homestead Exemptions

Special tax breaks for seniors

NOTE: THE NEW SENIOR EXEMPTION WILL AUTOMATICALLY APPLY IF YOU HAVE ALREADY APPLIED. IF YOU HAVE NOT APPLIED, YOU WILL NEED TO APPLY AGAIN TO RECEIVE THE NEW EXEMPTION

The Fulton County Board of Assessors is now accepting applications for homestead exemptions, which can reduce your property taxes if you own and live in your home as your primary residence.

Fulton County, the local school systems, and cities across the county offer a variety of exemptions to help qualifying homeowners save. Check your property record at www.fultonassessor.org to see which exemptions you already have.

New Senior Exemptions: In 2025, voters approved senior homestead exemptions for Fulton County Schools and Atlanta Public Schools. Seniors with an existing exemption will have the new benefit applied automatically. (NO NEED TO APPLY)

Additional Income-Based Exemptions: Seniors 65 and older with fixed or low incomes may qualify for extra exemptions. Proof of income is required to apply.

🗓 Deadline to Apply: April 1, 2026

Apply online or in person.

For more details, visit www.fultonassessor.org or call 404-612-6440.

Understanding Homestead Exemptions in Fulton County

A homestead exemption provides a reduction in property taxes for homeowners who own and live in their home as their primary residence.

Fulton County, along with the cities within the county, offers several homestead exemption options for eligible homeowners. Property owners can visit www.fultonassessor.org to review their property record and see which exemptions are currently applied.

Homeowners who do not yet have a homestead exemption should be sure to apply by April 1 to receive the benefit.

APPLY NOW!

New Senior Tax Exemptions Approved

NOTE: THE NEW SENIOR EXEMPTION WILL AUTOMATICALLY APPLY IF YOU HAVE ALREADY APPLIED. IF YOU HAVE NOT APPLIED, YOU WILL NEED TO APPLY AGAIN TO RECEIVE THE NEW EXEMPTION

In 2025, voters approved new senior homestead exemptions for Atlanta Public Schools and Fulton County Schools. Eligible homeowners do not need to apply, as the exemptions will be applied automatically.

City of Atlanta homeowners age 65 and older will qualify for the new Atlanta Public Schools homestead exemption, which may reduce assessed property value by up to $50,000. The final exemption amount will depend on the total number of qualifying applicants.
Homeowners in the Fulton County Schools district (Fulton County outside the City of Atlanta) who are 65 or older and have maintained a homestead exemption in the district for at least five of the previous six years will receive a 25% reduction in assessed value.
Homeowners in the Fulton County Schools district who are 70 or older and have had a homestead exemption in place for at least five of the last six years will receive a 50% reduction in assessed value.

Fulton County seniors who already have a basic homestead exemption on file have previously submitted the necessary information, so the new senior exemptions will be applied automatically.

Additional Senior Homestead Exemptions with Income Requirements

Homeowners age 65 and older with fixed or limited incomes may be eligible for additional homestead exemptions that further lower their property tax bill. These exemptions require applicants to submit documentation verifying income eligibility.

FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS $54,000 EXEMPTION (Age/Income Based)

Qualifications:

• Must be age 65 or disabled on / before January 1.

• Claimant and spouse income per Federal Income Tax Return can not exceed $30,000.

• Applies to County School.

• Includes $54,000 off County School M&O and Bonds

This exemption does not apply to properties in the City of Atlanta

$4,000 COUNTY TAX EXEMPTION (Age/Income Based) Qualifications:

• Must be age 65 on / before January 1.

• Claimant and spouse net income can not exceed $10,000 per Georgia return.

• Includes $4,000 off all county ad valorem levies

The deadline to apply for a homestead exemption is April 1, 2026. Applications may be submitted either online or in person.