How to apply for Georgia Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption (Property Tax)

Who it's for

Georgia gives qualifying disabled veterans one of the largest property tax breaks in the state: an exemption of up to $121,812 (the 2025 amount, adjusted each year by a federal index) off the assessed value of the home. The exemption applies to state, county, city, and school property taxes on the home the veteran owns and lives in. It covers veterans rated 100 percent totally disabled by the VA, veterans paid at the 100 percent rate because they cannot work, and veterans with certain VA awards for loss of hands, feet, or sight. An unremarried surviving spouse or minor child can keep the exemption while living in the home. Apply once with the county tax commissioner or tax assessors office using the VA award letter.

What you'll need

• VA letter verifying the 100% rating, unemployability pay at the 100% rate, or the qualifying statutory award (loss of hands, feet, or sight)
• Photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
• Application for Homestead Exemption from the county tax commissioner or board of tax assessors

Where to apply

Step by step

1. Confirm you qualify — you must be a Georgia homeowner who lives in the home and meets one of these VA criteria: rated 100% totally disabled, paid at the 100% rate due to unemployability, or hold a qualifying VA statutory award for loss of a hand, foot, or sight.
2. Gather your documents: your VA award letter verifying your 100% rating, unemployability pay at the 100% rate, or qualifying statutory award; a photo ID (driver's license or state ID); and the Homestead Exemption application form from your county tax commissioner or board of tax assessors office.
3. Get the application form by contacting your county tax commissioner or board of tax assessors office — pick it up in person, request it by phone, or check whether your county offers an online application.
4. Complete the application form fully and accurately. If anything is unclear, ask the county tax office to confirm your qualification and the exact exemption amount, since both are verified at the county level.
5. Submit your completed application and all required documents to your county tax commissioner or board of tax assessors — in person or online if your county offers that option.
6. Keep a copy of everything you submit, including your VA award letter and the completed application, for your records.
7. Note: if you are an unremarried surviving spouse or minor child of a qualifying veteran, you may be eligible to continue the exemption while living in the home — ask the county tax office about the steps that apply to your situation.

What to expect: After submitting, the county tax commissioner or board of tax assessors will review your application and documents to confirm eligibility. Processing times vary, so contact your county office for an estimate. If approved, the exemption — up to $121,812 off the assessed value of your home for 2025, adjusted each year by a federal index — applies to state, county, city, and school property taxes. This is a one-time application, so you do not need to reapply every year; however, the county may periodically re-verify your eligibility, so respond promptly if contacted. Keep in mind that the exact exemption amount is confirmed by the county and is indexed annually, so the figure may change from year to year.

Renewals

one-time application; the county may periodically re-verify eligibility