Understanding the details of Atlanta, Georgia property taxes is crucial whether you’re a real estate agent assisting clients or a property owner looking to buy or sell. While Atlanta’s property tax rates are relatively moderate compared to other major urban centers, researching the long-term costs is always a smart move.

Are you interested in learning more about Atlanta’s property taxes and connecting with potential clients? Keep reading for essential information about property taxes within the City of Atlanta.

Atlanta real estate market

Atlanta is the capital of Georgia and the most populous city in the entire state, with over 510,000 people. With a GDP of $471 billion, it is the 11th-largest city economy in the United States. 

Atlanta has many popular attractions and incredible history. Tourists love exploring the World of Coca-Cola, SkyView Atlanta, the Summit Skyride, and other attractions. Centennial Olympic Park, designed in 1996 for the Olympics, still exists today as a hub for fun and essential landmarks. The city also has a booming job market, whether it’s in a technical field or the arts, making it a very attractive place for families to live. 

Atlanta property tax 2025

Your Atlanta property taxes are calculated by adding together the tax rates from three main sources: the City of Atlanta itself, Atlanta Public Schools, and either Fulton County or DeKalb County, depending on where your property is located within the city limits. Roughly 28% of your total property tax bill goes to the City, about 50% supports the Atlanta Public Schools, and the remaining 22% goes to either Fulton or DeKalb County.

To figure out your property taxes, you need to know the specific tax rates, called millage rates, for each of these entities in 2024 (which are used to calculate taxes for the fiscal year of 2025). These rates are:

  • City of Atlanta: 11.40 mills
  • Atlanta Public Schools: 20.500 mills
  • Fulton County: 9.040 mills
  • DeKalb County: 10.002 mills

It’s crucial to find out if your Atlanta property is in Fulton County or DeKalb County because that will determine which county’s tax rate gets included in your calculation.

Also, remember that property taxes aren’t based on the full market value of your home. Instead, they are calculated using only 40% of your home’s fair market value (FMV), which is called the assessed value.

Will Atlanta property tax rates rise?

Even though Atlanta’s city tax rates didn’t change from 2023 to 2024, homeowners will likely see their property tax bills go up due to increasing home values across the country, which leads to higher assessed values.

Adding to this, many local governments around Atlanta have chosen to bypass a new state law that would have limited how much taxable property values could increase each year. So, even with stable city tax rates for now, Atlanta property owners should expect their overall property tax costs to potentially rise.

If you own a home in Atlanta, check the Fulton County or Dekalb County websites to see if you qualify for any property tax exemptions, and you can also use these sites to view and pay your property taxes.

Tax rates in surrounding areas

If you’re looking at living near Atlanta but want a potentially lower property tax bill, consider areas outside of Fulton County. Many parts of Georgia actually have quite low property taxes, with the typical homeowner paying just over $2,000 annually. To see how Atlanta’s city tax rates compare, here are some examples of city-only millage rates in nearby areas:

  • Brookhaven: 2.7400
  • Marietta: 2.867
  • Smyrna: 8.990
  • Kennesaw: 8.830
  • Macon: 10.723
  • Peachtree City: 5.983

Remember, these are just the city’s portion of the tax rate. To get the full picture, homeowners in these areas would also need to add the tax rates for their local schools and county.

It’s also worth looking at other cities within Fulton County itself. For instance, Roswell’s property millage rate sits at 4.949. Other Fulton County cities to consider include Decatur, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, and Sandy Springs.

What does property tax revenue fund in Atlanta?

A third of Atlanta’s property taxes go towards the General Fund Budget, which goes toward two school systems, several city governments within Fulton County, and other needs as decided by Fulton County.

Property taxes generally fund the following:

  • Public schools
  • Police departments
  • Fire stations
  • Street maintenance 
  • Libraries
  • Metro stations

Important information to know when moving to Atlanta, GA

Unless stated otherwise, property tax returns for Georgia are due between January 1st and April 1st. Property taxes for the City of Atlanta are due by October 31st and November 15th for Fulton County. Keep tabs on the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia websites for the most accurate dates. 

Atlanta’s sales tax is 8.9%, combining the following:

  • 3% Fulton County sales tax
  • 1.5% for the City of Atlanta sales tax
  • 4% State of Georgia sales tax
  • 0.4% special tax

The cost of living in Atlanta is nearly 9% higher than Georgia’s average COL. It is 2% lower than the national average, making the cost of living more affordable than in most areas in the United States.  

Mastering property taxes in Atlanta, Georgia

While Atlanta presents a vibrant real estate market within a growing economic hub, understanding its property tax structure is key for both residents and real estate professionals. Taxes are a combination of city, school, and county levies based on assessed value, and despite stable city rates, rising property values and local decisions on tax caps suggest potential increases.

Exploring neighboring areas or other cities within Fulton County and DeKalb County might offer different tax landscapes, and it’s crucial to remember that property tax revenue funds essential local services.

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FAQ

Atlanta property taxes are a combination of city, Atlanta Public Schools, and either Fulton or DeKalb County tax rates applied to 40% of the property’s fair market value.

Yes, despite stable city rates in the short term, rising property values and local decisions on tax caps suggest potential future increases in overall property tax bills.

Property tax revenue in Atlanta supports public schools, police and fire departments, street maintenance, libraries, and metro stations, among other essential services.

Property taxes for the City of Atlanta are typically due by October 31st, while Fulton County’s deadline is usually November 15th.

Yes, many neighboring areas outside Fulton County, as well as some cities within Fulton like Roswell, have different city-only millage rates that may be lower than Atlanta’s.