DeKalb County Property Tax Appeal — Georgia

Rob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

DeKalb County in Georgia is home to around 770,000 residents, and it is part of the Atlanta metro area. While the median home value in Dekalb County is $375,400, the typical homeowner pays around $3,586 per year in property taxes. The effective property tax rate in DeKalb County is 0.96%, meaning the typical homeowner's annual property tax bill is equal to around 0.96% of their home's value. This is higher than the Georgia state median of $2,554 but significantly above the national median of $3,211. The county seat is Decatur, and the area includes several major population centers that form part of the greater Atlanta metropolitan region.

Notable cities: Decatur, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Tucker, Stone Mountain, Doraville, Lithonia, Clarkston

Median Home

$375,400

Tax Rate

0.96%

Annual Tax

$3,586

Population

770,000

2026 Appeal Deadline: 45 days from the postmarked date on assessment notice

You have 45 days from the date on your Annual Assessment Notice to file an appeal. Your appeal form or letter must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service by the appeal deadline date shown on the Notice to ensure acceptance as a timely appeal.

Property in DeKalb County, Georgia — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How DeKalb County Assesses Property

40%of market value

Assessed by: DeKalb County Property Appraisal & Assessment Department

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: May

In Georgia, residential property is assessed at 40% of its fair market value. If your home's market value is $375,400 (DeKalb County's median), at Georgia's 40% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $150,160, resulting in approximately $3,586 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 0.96%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Equalization. Appellants will receive a notice by mail of the date and time of the scheduled hearing. All appeal hearings are held at 325 Swanton Way, 1st Floor, Decatur, GA, 30030.

Visit the DeKalb County Property Appraisal Department's website or office to request a copy of your property record and check for errors

File your appeal online during the 45-day appeal period, or submit by mail/in-person using an appeal form or letter that includes your Parcel ID Number, property address, and daytime phone number

The Board of Tax Assessors reviews your appeal and may offer an adjusted value or forward to the Board of Equalization if no agreement is reached

If forwarded to Board of Equalization, you'll receive a hearing notice by mail and must present evidence like comparable sales, photos, or appraisals

If dissatisfied with the BOE decision, you have 30 days to appeal to Superior Court, which is a jury trial where you may want attorney representation

Required form: Appeal form or letter stating intent to appeal

Filing Methods

online: Online appeal portal available during the 45-day appeal period

mail: DeKalb County Property Appraisal Department, 325 Swanton Way, Decatur, GA 30030

in-person: Property Appraisal Department office at 325 Swanton Way, Decatur, GA

Evidence to Bring

Comparable property values in your area Evidence of purchase price Photographs of the interior, exterior, and surrounding area Appraisals Evidence of sale prices

DeKalb County Assessor Contact

DeKalb County Property Appraisal & Assessment Department

Phone: (404) 371-0841

Address: Maloof Annex, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030

Website: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/property-appraisal

Online Portal: https://propertyappraisal.dekalbcountyga.gov/

Tax Exemptions in DeKalb County

Basic Homestead Exemption

$10,000 county/$12,500 school

Basic homestead exemption of $10,000 for county taxes and a 2.5 mil reduction off assessed value, plus $12,500 exemption for school taxes

Eligibility: No age or income requirements - any homeowner living at property as primary residence Deadline: April 1

Senior Exemption H4 (Age 65+)

100% school tax exemption + $14,000 county

Exempts recipients from all school taxes and increases exemption to $14,000 for all county levies

Eligibility: Age 65+ or 100% permanently disabled with household income limit of $10,000 Georgia Net Income Deadline: April 1

Senior Exemption H7 (Age 62+)

$22,500 school/$10,000 county

Reduces taxable value of property by $22,500 for school taxes and by $10,000 for county levies (except bonds)

Eligibility: Age 62+ or 100% permanently disabled with household income limit of $16,000 gross income Deadline: April 1

Senior Exemption H9 (Age 70+)

100% school tax exemption + $10,000 county

Exempts applicants from school taxes and maintains exemption of $10,000 for county levies (except bonds)

Eligibility: Age 70+ with household income limit of $110,568 Federal Adjusted Gross Deadline: April 1

Disabled Veteran Exemption

$32,500 exemption or maximum of $121,812 in 2026

Disabled veterans and surviving spouses qualify for exemption up to maximum allowed

Eligibility: Disabled veterans and their surviving spouses Deadline: April 1

Assessment Freeze

Freezes county assessment value

Property assessment freeze to help offset future increases in property value - does not affect school, city or state taxes

Eligibility: Residents with existing homestead exemption Deadline: April 1

Official Resources

DeKalb County Property Appraisal Department →

Official property appraisal site with assessment information, appeal forms, and property search tools.

DeKalb County Tax Commissioner - Property Search →

Search for property tax bills, payment history, and exemption status for any property in DeKalb County.

DeKalb County Tax Commissioner - Exemptions →

Comprehensive information about all available homestead exemptions, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.

Georgia Department of Revenue - Property Tax Information →

State-level property tax resources including assessment standards, appeal rights, and tax relief programs.

DeKalb County Appeal Statistics

% Who Appeal

2.7%

Check Your DeKalb County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your DeKalb County property is overassessed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in DeKalb County?

The deadline to appeal your property taxes in DeKalb County is 45 days from the postmarked date on your Annual Assessment Notice. Assessment notices are typically mailed in May each year. Late appeals will not be processed, so it's crucial to file your appeal on time. Your appeal must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service by the deadline date shown on your notice to ensure acceptance as a timely appeal.

How do I file a property tax appeal in DeKalb County online?

The simplest way to file is to use DeKalb County's online appeal portal, which is operational during the 45-day appeal period. When filing online, you'll need to include your Parcel ID Number, the street address of your property, and a daytime phone number. The county does not accept email or faxed appeals. If you prefer not to file online, you can also appeal in person at the Property Appraisal Department office or by mail using an appeal form or by simply writing a letter stating you wish to appeal.

What is the homestead exemption worth in DeKalb County?

The basic homestead exemption in DeKalb County provides a $10,000 reduction for county taxes, a 2.5 mil reduction off assessed value, and a $12,500 exemption for school taxes. There are no age or income requirements for the basic exemption. Senior citizens have additional options: those 65 or older with limited income can receive up to 100% exemption from school taxes and $14,000 for county levies. The county also offers an assessment freeze for homeowners with existing homestead exemptions, which helps protect against future property value increases for county tax purposes.

What happens at a Board of Equalization hearing in DeKalb County?

Appellants receive a notice by mail with the date and time of their scheduled hearing, which are held at 325 Swanton Way, 1st Floor, Decatur, GA, 30030. You may appear before the Board yourself or with a representative, but you must specify in writing the name of any agent or representative prior to their appearance. At the hearing, you should present documentation such as evidence of purchase price, appraisals, photographs of the property, evidence of sale prices, and comparable property values in your area. All evidence must be from the tax year prior to the tax year being appealed.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in DeKalb County?

The amount you can save depends on how much your property is overassessed and the strength of your evidence. With the median home value in DeKalb County at $375,400 and typical annual taxes of $3,586, even a 10% reduction in assessed value could save homeowners approximately $350 per year. Successful appeals can secure a three-year value freeze in Georgia, multiplying your savings over time. Additionally, taxpayers can be eligible for a property tax refund for up to three years due to prior over-assessments. Many property tax appeal firms work on contingency, meaning you only pay if they successfully reduce your assessment.

What evidence do I need for a DeKalb County property tax appeal?

Documentation you should present to the Board of Equalization includes evidence of purchase price, appraisals, photographs of the interior, exterior, and surrounding area, evidence of sale prices, and comparable property values in your area. Check the property tax assessments of similar homes in your neighborhood with the same size, age, and condition - if their tax values are lower than yours, you may have a strong case for appeal. All evidence must be from the tax year prior to the tax year being appealed. Having professional appraisals or detailed documentation of property defects can significantly strengthen your appeal case.

Can I still pay my property taxes while my appeal is pending in DeKalb County?

If your appeal has not been resolved by the time tax bills are mailed, you will receive a bill based on a temporary value determined by the lesser of your prior year final value OR 85 percent of the current year value, unless there were capital improvements to the property. Your property tax bill is still due while your appeal is pending. Once your appeal is final and the value has been established, this temporary value will be removed and you will automatically be issued either a refund or an additional bill, whichever applies, with interest if applicable. It's important to pay the temporary bill on time to avoid penalties while your appeal is being processed.

What are my options if I disagree with the Board of Equalization decision?

Either the Appellant or the County Board of Tax Assessors may appeal decisions of the Board of Equalization, and the notice of appeal shall be filed within 30 days from the date on which the BOE decision was rendered. The appeal to Superior Court is a jury trial and appellants may wish to consider engaging an attorney. Either party may appeal to Superior Court within 30 days of the Board of Equalization decision. This represents your final opportunity to challenge your property tax assessment, but it involves more formal legal proceedings and potentially higher costs than the initial appeal process.

For state-wide appeal information including Georgia's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Georgia Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Georgia Counties

Chatham County (Savannah)Cherokee County (Canton)Clayton County (Jonesboro)Cobb County (Marietta)Forsyth County (Cumming)Fulton County (Atlanta)

← All Georgia property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/property-appraisal/appeal-process | https://dekalbtax.org/property-tax/exemptions/ | https://smartasset.com/taxes/dekalb-county-georgia-property-tax-calculator | https://www.dksuperiorclerk.com/board-of-equalization/ | https://dekalbtax.org/property-assessment

Last verified: 2026-02-15