Disabled veteran property tax exemption in Georgia
If you are a Georgia veteran with a VA disability rating, you may qualify for a substantial reduction or full elimination of your property tax bill. This page walks through how the exemption works in Georgia, who qualifies, and how to apply.
How Georgia's disabled veteran property tax exemption works
Georgia provides one of the more substantial assessed-value exemptions in the Southeast. The current cap is indexed to inflation and adjusted annually.
100% disability rating
A veteran rated 100% service-connected disabled, or rated 100% based on TDIU, receives a homestead exemption that subtracts up to $126,526 (2025 indexed figure; 2026 will be slightly higher) from the assessed value of their homestead before tax is calculated. For most Georgia homes, this eliminates the local property tax bill.
Lower ratings
Georgia does not provide a graduated disability exemption for lower ratings. Veterans rated under 100% should look at the general age-65 and income-based exemptions instead.
Surviving spouse
A surviving spouse who has not remarried can continue receiving the exemption. The spouse must occupy the property as a homestead.
How to apply
Apply at your county tax commissioner's office. You will need your VA disability award letter showing the 100% or TDIU rating, proof of Georgia residency, and the homestead exemption application. Deadline is typically April 1.
How this fits with your VA loan
When you buy a home in Georgia with a VA loan, your lender estimates property tax as part of your monthly payment (the T in PITI). If you qualify for the disabled veteran exemption, that monthly tax escrow drops or zeroes out — which lowers your full monthly payment and improves your debt-to-income ratio. Some lenders are willing to use the post-exemption tax figure during underwriting; others want you to qualify on the pre-exemption number. Mike can structure this correctly during pre-approval so you do not lose buying power.
Common questions
Do I need to be 100% disabled to qualify?
Georgia exempts up to $126,526 (2025 indexed) of assessed value for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled. If you are rated below 100% in Georgia, check the detail above — some states provide graduated relief at lower ratings.
What if my disability rating changes?
Rating changes can affect eligibility. If you become rated 100% after buying, you can apply for the exemption going forward (not retroactively in most cases). If your rating decreases below the qualifying threshold, the exemption ends.
Does the exemption transfer if I sell and buy a new home?
You typically need to reapply when you move. The exemption applies to your primary residence, so each new homestead requires a fresh application with the county.
What about my spouse if I pass away?
Georgia allows the surviving spouse to continue the exemption under specific conditions — see the detailed section above. Estate planning around this benefit is worth discussing with a Georgia attorney before any major decisions.