Atlanta City Tax Assessor: How Property Assessment Works in Atlanta, GA

Understanding how your property is assessed in Atlanta, Georgia is key to predicting your tax bill, planning a home purchase, or appealing a value you believe is too high. The process can be confusing because Atlanta sits inside Fulton County and DeKalb County, and property tax assessment is handled at the county, not strictly by the City of Atlanta itself.

This guide walks you through how the “Atlanta city tax assessor” system really works, which offices you’ll deal with, and what Atlanta homeowners, buyers, and investors should know.

Who Actually Assesses Property Taxes in Atlanta?

Even though you may hear phrases like “Atlanta tax assessor,” there is no single “Atlanta City Tax Assessor” office.

If your property is in the City of Atlanta, your assessed value is determined by the county tax assessor where your property sits:

• Most of Atlanta: handled by the Fulton County Board of Assessors
• Some eastern and southeastern parts of Atlanta: handled by the DeKalb County Tax Assessor

You pay property taxes to:

• Your county (Fulton or DeKalb)
• The City of Atlanta (if you are inside city limits)
• And often other taxing districts (Atlanta Public Schools, special service districts, etc.)

Your county assessor determines the value, and that value is then used to calculate all applicable taxes, including the city portion.

Key Atlanta Tax Assessor Offices & Contact Info

Here are the main offices you’ll interact with if you own property in Atlanta:

Fulton County Board of Assessors (for most City of Atlanta addresses)

Primary office (downtown Atlanta):
Fulton County Board of Assessors
235 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone (main): Often listed publicly; check the county website for current numbers.
General role: Sets property values for taxable property in Fulton County, including most of Atlanta.

You may also encounter:

• Fulton County Tax Commissioner (for paying tax bills, not valuations)
• Board of Equalization (for value appeals hearings)

DeKalb County Tax Assessor (for parts of Atlanta in DeKalb)

Main office (Decatur):
DeKalb County Property Appraisal Department / Board of Assessors
1300 Commerce Drive
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone (main): Available through DeKalb County government’s main directory.
General role: Assesses property values for DeKalb County, including Atlanta addresses that fall on the DeKalb side.

If you are unsure which county your Atlanta address belongs to, the simplest checks are:

• Look at a recent property tax bill or closing documents, or
• Use the property search tool on the Fulton or DeKalb official websites to see where your address shows up.

What the Tax Assessor Does in Atlanta

In both Fulton and DeKalb counties, the Board of Assessors (and its staff) has a few core jobs:

• Determine the fair market value of your property each year
• Apply Georgia’s standard assessment ratio (40% of fair market value)
• Maintain property records (square footage, land use, improvements, exemptions)
• Notify you of changes in your property’s appraised value
• Accept and process appeals if you disagree with the value

The assessor does not:

• Set tax rates (millage rates)
• Decide city budget or school funding levels
• Collect your tax payment

Those tasks fall to elected officials (for millage rates) and the Tax Commissioner (for collections).

How Property Is Valued in Atlanta

1. Fair Market Value

The assessor’s goal is to establish a fair market value—what your property would reasonably sell for in an arm’s-length transaction between a willing buyer and seller.

They typically consider:

• Recent sales of similar homes in your neighborhood
• Location (school district, proximity to MARTA, BeltLine, major employers, etc.)
• Size and features (square footage, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, lot size, garage, basement)
• Condition and improvements (renovations, additions, damage, age of systems)

In fast-changing Atlanta neighborhoods—like Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown, or portions of Southwest Atlanta—values can shift more quickly due to redevelopment, new infrastructure, or commercial growth.

2. Assessment Ratio (40%)

In Georgia, most real property is assessed at 40% of its fair market value.

For example:

This assessed value is the starting point used to calculate your property tax bill, before exemptions.

How City of Atlanta Taxes Are Calculated from Assessed Value

Your property within Atlanta can be taxed by several entities:

• City of Atlanta
• County government (Fulton or DeKalb)
• School system (Atlanta Public Schools if you’re within APS)
• Special-purpose districts (such as community improvement or development districts)

Each entity sets a millage rate (tax per $1,000 of assessed value). Your final bill is the sum of those pieces.

In simplified terms:

Because Atlanta spans two counties, city taxpayers in Fulton County and DeKalb County can see slightly different totals, even for similar property values, due to different county millage rates and fees.

Common Notices You’ll Receive in Atlanta

If you own property inside Atlanta, you’ll likely see at least these key documents:

Annual Assessment Notice

Sent by Fulton or DeKalb County, this notice usually arrives in the spring or early summer. It shows:

• Previous year’s value
• Current year’s fair market value
• Assessed value (40% of fair market)
• Estimated taxes based on that value
• Deadline and instructions for filing an appeal

If you believe the value is too high or incorrect, this notice starts the clock on your appeal rights. Missing the appeal window usually means you’re locked into that value for the year (and sometimes longer, depending on outcome and rules in place at that time).

Property Tax Bill

Later in the year, you receive your actual tax bill, often from the county tax commissioner (even though it includes city and school portions). Deadlines can differ slightly between Fulton and DeKalb, so Atlanta owners should read payment due dates carefully.

Homestead Exemptions for Atlanta Homeowners

If you live in your Atlanta home as your primary residence, you may qualify for homestead exemptions that reduce your taxable value.

Common basics:

• You must own and occupy the home as of January 1 of the tax year.
• You must apply—the exemption is not automatic.
• If approved, the exemption stays in place as long as you continue to qualify (subject to county rules).

Both Fulton County and DeKalb County offer:

• A basic homestead exemption
• Additional exemptions for seniors, disabled homeowners, and sometimes veterans or surviving spouses

These exemptions can apply to:

• County taxes
• City of Atlanta taxes
• School taxes (some special senior exemptions can significantly reduce the school portion)

Because offerings and amounts can change over time, it’s best to:

• Review the homestead/exemptions section on the Fulton or DeKalb official website
• Confirm application deadlines (commonly early in the year, such as around April 1, but verify the current date)

How to Look Up Your Atlanta Property Assessment

Both Fulton and DeKalb counties provide online property search tools where you can:

• Look up your current assessed value
• See past years’ values
• Review basic property characteristics (square footage, year built, etc.)
• Confirm whether a homestead exemption is on file

Steps you’ll typically follow:

1. Go to your county assessor’s official website.
2. Use the Property Search or Search Records link.
3. Enter your address or parcel ID.
4. Review the listed land value, building value, total fair market value, and assessed value.

This information is handy if you’re:

• Considering an appeal
• Comparing your property to similar nearby homes
• Checking for errors in property data (e.g., wrong square footage)

When (and How) to Appeal Your Property Value in Atlanta

If you believe the county has overvalued your Atlanta property, you have the right to appeal within a specific timeframe after receiving your annual assessment notice.

Common Reasons Atlanta Owners Appeal

• Your home is valued much higher than similar nearby homes.
• The assessor shows incorrect info (e.g., finished basement when it’s unfinished).
• Your home has damage, deferred maintenance, or location issues not reflected in the value.
• The value increased sharply in a way that seems out of line with local sales.

Typical Appeal Process (Fulton & DeKalb)

While exact steps can vary slightly, they generally include:

1. File an appeal by the deadline

   • The deadline is clearly printed on your assessment notice.
   • You may be able to file online, by mail, or in person at your county’s assessor office.

2. Choose your appeal route (options can include):

   • Board of Assessors review
   • Board of Equalization (BOE) — citizen panel
   • Arbitration, or in some cases a hearing before a hearing officer

3. Prepare evidence, such as:

   • Recent sales of similar homes in your area
   • Photos of property condition (damage, needed repairs, etc.)
   • Contractor estimates for major repairs
   • Appraisals or other professional valuations, if available

4. Attend hearings (if scheduled)

   • Present your case calmly and clearly.
   • Focus on why the value is incorrect, not your ability to pay the tax.

5. Receive a decision

   • If you disagree with the BOE decision, further appeal avenues may be available, often through the superior court, but that involves more time and possibly costs.

In some years, property values across Atlanta have increased quickly, leading to more appeals. Many owners find it useful to at least compare their value to neighboring properties online before deciding whether to file.

Special Considerations for Atlanta Neighborhoods

Because Atlanta is large and diverse, property assessment realities differ by area:

• Rapidly developing core neighborhoods
  Places like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown, BeltLine-adjacent neighborhoods, Grant Park, and Inman Park can see rising values due to high demand, transit access, and redevelopment. Assessments may increase more noticeably here.

• Transitional or redeveloping areas
  In parts of Southwest Atlanta, Westview, Venetian Hills, and others, new investment and rising sales can change values quickly. Owners sometimes find that assessed values jump sharply after nearby renovations or new construction.

• Higher-value intown neighborhoods
  Areas like Buckhead, Morningside, Virginia-Highland, Ansley Park often have higher starting values, and small percentage changes can translate into large dollar increases on tax bills.

Because your tax bill is tied to both value and millage rates, even if your value rises, changes in city or county tax policy can affect whether your final bill increases more, less, or about the same as the value change.

If You’re Buying Property in Atlanta

For buyers looking at homes in Atlanta:

• Check current assessed value and tax history
  Look up the property in the Fulton or DeKalb records. Note that reassessments can occur after a sale.

• Understand that your future tax bill may differ from the seller’s
  If a home has been under-assessed for years, a new sale can trigger a higher fair market value, leading to a larger bill for you than what the previous owner paid.

• Plan for exemptions early
  If you intend to live in the home, read about homestead exemptions so you can apply as soon as you qualify (usually by the next year’s deadline after purchase).

• Ask your real estate agent to help interpret assessments
  Local agents are often familiar with how Fulton and DeKalb assessments play out in specific Atlanta neighborhoods.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Property Owners 🏡

• Mark your calendar for when assessment notices typically arrive (spring/early summer).
• Open every letter from your county tax assessor or tax commissioner; many are time-sensitive.
• Compare your value with similar homes in your immediate Atlanta neighborhood each year.
• Correct property record errors (square footage, number of baths, finished areas) with your county as soon as you spot them.
• Apply for homestead exemptions promptly if the property is your primary residence.
• Ask questions directly—both Fulton and DeKalb offices can clarify basic process questions by phone or in person.

Understanding how the Atlanta property tax assessment system really works—through the Fulton County Board of Assessors or DeKalb County Tax Assessor—helps you anticipate your tax bill, protect your rights as a homeowner, and make better decisions whether you’re living, investing, or planning a move inside the City of Atlanta.