Putnam County Property Tax Appeal, Georgia

Travis Bunn·Updated July 22, 2026

Putnam County is located in central Georgia with Eatonton as its county seat and largest city. The county has a population of approximately 23,783 as of 2026 and has experienced growth due to its proximity to Lake Oconee, Lake Sinclair, and major employment centers including Atlanta, Athens, and Macon. Putnam County offers property owners significant tax savings compared to state and national averages, with a median effective property tax rate of 0.69%, well below Georgia's 1.00% median and the national median of 1.02%. The median home value is approximately $234,500, resulting in a median annual property tax bill of $1,619, substantially lower than the national median of $2,400. This favorable tax environment makes property tax appeals particularly valuable for homeowners who believe their assessments are too high.

Notable cities: Eatonton

Median Home

$234,500

Tax Rate

0.69%

Annual Tax

$1,619

Population

23,783

On the typical Putnam County home, valued near $234,500 at the county’s effective tax rate of 0.69%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying year after year until you appeal it. Here is how to find out if yours qualifies.

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

The appeal must be postmarked or filed within 45 days from the date shown on your Notice of Assessment. This is a strict deadline and late appeals are not accepted. Assessment notices are typically mailed in spring to early summer, creating varying deadlines for individual property owners.

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How Putnam County Assesses Property

40%of market value

Assessed by: Putnam County Board of Tax Assessors

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: Spring to early summer (typically April-May)

Georgia law requires all property in Putnam County to be assessed at 40% of its fair market value. The fair market value is established as of January 1st of each year and represents what the property would sell for on the open market. For example, if your home's fair market value is $234,500, at Georgia's 40% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $93,800, resulting in approximately $1,619 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 0.69%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Equalization. If the Board of Tax Assessors does not change your value, your appeal will be forwarded to the three-member Board of Equalization for a hearing. You will receive advance notice of your hearing date and time, and you may appear alone, with a representative, or be represented by an authorized agent to present your evidence.

Review your assessment notice carefully and compare your property's assessed value to recent comparable sales in your area and the actual market value of your home.

Gather supporting evidence including comparable sales data (3-5 similar properties that sold for less), photographs documenting property condition issues, repair estimates for any defects, and documentation of any assessment errors such as incorrect square footage or features.

Complete the PT-311A Appeal of Assessment Form from the Georgia Department of Revenue or write a letter of appeal stating your estimated fair market value and select your preferred appeal method (Board of Equalization is recommended for residential properties).

File your appeal with the Putnam County Board of Tax Assessors within 45 days of the mailing date on your assessment notice by mail (USPS postmark counts), in person, or email if accepted.

The Board of Tax Assessors will review your appeal and either adjust your value and send a new notice, or if no change is made, forward your appeal to the Board of Equalization for a hearing.

If your appeal proceeds to the Board of Equalization, you will receive a hearing notice with the date and time. Attend the hearing prepared to present your evidence in 5-15 minutes, focusing on comparable sales and factual data about market value.

If you disagree with the Board of Equalization's decision, you may appeal to Superior Court within 30 days of the Board's decision by filing a written notice with the Putnam County Board of Tax Assessors.

As a final option, you may appeal the Superior Court decision through the Georgia court system, though this is rare for residential property tax cases.

Required form: PT-311A Appeal of Assessment Form (Georgia Department of Revenue uniform form) or written letter of appeal

Filing Methods

mail:Mail to: Putnam County Board of Tax Assessors, 100 S. Jefferson Avenue, Courthouse Suite 109, Eatonton, GA 31024. Must be postmarked by USPS within 45 days.

in-person:Deliver to: Putnam County Board of Tax Assessors, 100 S. Jefferson Avenue, Courthouse Suite 109, Eatonton, GA 31024. Office hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday.

email:Email to putnamtax@bellsouth.net if the Board of Assessors has adopted a policy consenting to electronic service. Contact office to confirm availability.

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales (3-5 similar properties sold recently for less than your assessed value)Property condition documentation (photos of defects, damage, or issues)Repair estimates or contractor quotes for needed workAssessment errors (documentation of incorrect square footage, lot size, or property features)Independent appraisal (optional but can be helpful)

Putnam County Assessor Contact

Putnam County Board of Tax Assessors

Phone: 706-485-6376

Address: 100 S. Jefferson Avenue, Courthouse Suite 109, Eatonton, GA 31024

Website: https://qpublic.net/ga/putnam/

Online Portal: https://qpublic.schneidercorp.com/Application.aspx?App=PutnamCountyGA&Layer=Parcels&PageType=Search

Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday

Tax Exemptions in Putnam County

Standard Homestead Exemption

$2,000 deduction from assessed value

Reduces the assessed value of your primary residence for county and school tax purposes

Eligibility: Owner-occupied primary residence as of January 1st. Property must be your legal residence for all purposes including vehicle registration and tax filing. Cannot claim homestead in another location.Deadline: April 1st (can apply anytime during the year, but must be received by April 1st to qualify for current tax year)

Senior Citizen Base Year Value Exemption (Age 70+)

Exemption equal to the difference between current assessed value and base year assessed value

Freezes your assessed value at the base year level, exempting any increases above that amount

Eligibility: Age 70 or older on or before January 1st of the year of application. Must have homestead exemption. Base year is the taxable year immediately preceding the year this exemption is granted.Deadline: April 1st

Senior Citizen School Tax Exemption (Age 65+, Income-Based)

$4,000 exemption from county ad valorem taxes; $10,000 exemption from school ad valorem taxes

State exemption providing school tax relief for lower-income seniors

Eligibility: Age 65 or older. Income of taxpayer and spouse combined must not exceed $10,000 (excluding Social Security and certain retirement income).Deadline: April 1st

Putnam County Senior School Tax Exemption (Tiered)

100% exemption for assessed values $1-$100,000; 50% exemption for assessed values $100,000.01-$250,000; 25% exemption for assessed values $250,000.01-$500,000

Local law providing graduated school tax exemptions based on assessed value tiers

Eligibility: Senior citizen homeowner. Applies to Putnam County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes only.Deadline: April 1st

Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption

$126,526 for 2026 (indexed annually by VA)

Substantial exemption for qualifying disabled veterans from all county, municipal, and school property taxes

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veteran with 100% permanent and total VA disability rating, or rated less than 100% but entitled to 100% rate due to unemployability, or entitled to statutory award for specific disabilities. Extends to unremarried surviving spouse and minor children.Deadline: April 1st for current tax year

Floating Homestead Exemption (HB 581)

Limits assessed value growth to Consumer Price Index annually

Caps annual increases in taxable value to the rate of inflation (CPI)

Eligibility: Automatic for properties with standard homestead exemption in counties/districts that have not opted out. Check with assessor if Putnam County participates.Deadline: Automatic if qualified; no separate application needed beyond standard homestead

Putnam County Appeal Packet — $49

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

You must file your property tax appeal within 45 days from the mailing date printed on your Notice of Assessment. This deadline is strictly enforced and late appeals are not accepted. Assessment notices in Putnam County are typically mailed in the spring to early summer months, between April and May. The 45-day clock starts from the date the notice was mailed, not when you receive it, so it's critical to check your mail regularly and act quickly once you receive your assessment notice.

How do I file a property tax appeal in Putnam County?

To file a property tax appeal in Putnam County, complete the PT-311A Appeal of Assessment Form (available from the Georgia Department of Revenue) or submit a written letter of appeal. You must state your estimated fair market value and select your preferred appeal method, the Board of Equalization is recommended for residential properties. Submit your appeal to the Putnam County Board of Tax Assessors at 100 S. Jefferson Avenue, Courthouse Suite 109, Eatonton, GA 31024, either by mail (must be USPS postmarked within 45 days), in person during business hours, or by email to putnamtax@bellsouth.net if electronic filing is accepted.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Putnam County?

The standard homestead exemption in Putnam County provides a $2,000 deduction from your assessed value for county and school taxes. Since Putnam County has an effective tax rate of 0.69%, this $2,000 exemption saves the average homeowner approximately $138 per year. Additional exemptions are available for seniors, with those age 70 and older receiving a base year value freeze that can save significantly more. Putnam County also offers a tiered school tax exemption for seniors, providing 100% exemption on assessed values up to $100,000, making it one of the more generous exemption programs in Georgia. You must apply by April 1st to receive the exemption for the current tax year.

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

At a Putnam County Board of Equalization hearing, you will present your case before a three-member panel of trained county taxpayers. You typically have 5-15 minutes to present your evidence, which should include comparable sales data showing similar properties sold for less than your assessed value, photographs of property condition issues, and documentation of any assessment errors. The Board members may ask questions about your property and evidence. After hearing from both you and the tax assessor's office, the Board will issue a decision either upholding the assessment, reducing it to your proposed value, or setting it at a compromise value. If your appeal is successful, Georgia law freezes your new value for three years, the current year plus two additional years.

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

Savings from a successful property tax appeal in Putnam County depend on how much your assessment is reduced. With an effective tax rate of 0.69%, every $10,000 reduction in assessed value saves you $69 annually. For example, if your home is over-assessed by $50,000 and you successfully appeal, you would save $345 per year. The savings are even greater because Georgia law freezes your new value for three years, tripling your total savings to over $1,000 in this example. Given that Putnam County's median home value is around $234,500, even a 10% over-assessment correction could save homeowners $161 annually, or $483 over the three-year freeze period.

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

The most important evidence for a Putnam County property tax appeal is recent comparable sales data, you should gather 3-5 similar properties that sold within the past year for less than your assessed value. Properties should be similar in size, age, condition, and location to yours. Also provide clear photographs documenting any property condition issues such as foundation problems, roof damage, outdated systems, or deferred maintenance. Include written repair estimates from licensed contractors for any major defects. If your assessment contains factual errors like incorrect square footage, number of bedrooms or bathrooms, or lot size, bring documentation proving the correct information. An independent appraisal can strengthen your case but is not required for residential appeals.

Can I appeal my Putnam County property taxes online?

Putnam County may accept property tax appeals by email at putnamtax@bellsouth.net if the Board of Tax Assessors has adopted a policy consenting to electronic service. It's important to contact the Putnam County Board of Tax Assessors at 706-485-6376 before your deadline to confirm whether electronic filing is accepted and what format is required. If email filing is not available, you can file by mail to 100 S. Jefferson Avenue, Courthouse Suite 109, Eatonton, GA 31024 (must be USPS postmarked within 45 days) or in person during office hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Always keep proof of filing regardless of method used.

What if I miss the 45-day appeal deadline in Putnam County?

If you miss the 45-day appeal deadline in Putnam County, you generally cannot appeal your assessment for that tax year and will be required to pay the full amount based on the assessed value. Georgia law strictly enforces this deadline with no extensions for late filings. However, you can appeal your assessment the following year when you receive your next Notice of Assessment. To avoid missing the deadline, check your mail carefully during spring and early summer months when notices are typically sent, mark your calendar immediately upon receiving the notice, and begin gathering evidence right away. If you believe your notice was never mailed or you never received it, contact the Putnam County Board of Tax Assessors immediately at 706-485-6376 to discuss your situation.

Official Resources

Putnam County Tax Assessor's Office - Official Website →

Access property records, assessment information, exemption applications, and contact the Putnam County Board of Tax Assessors.

Putnam County Property Search (qPublic) →

Search and view detailed property information including assessments, ownership, tax history, and parcel maps for any property in Putnam County.

Georgia Department of Revenue - Property Tax Division →

Official state resource with Putnam County property tax facts, appeal procedures, exemption information, and property tax laws.

PT-311A Appeal of Assessment Form →

Download the official Georgia uniform property tax appeal form required to file an assessment appeal in Putnam County.

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

Barrow County (Winder)Bibb County (Macon)Bryan County (Richmond Hill)Carroll County (Carrollton)Chatham County (Savannah)Cherokee County (Canton)

← All Georgia property tax appeal info

Sources: https://dor.georgia.gov/county-property-tax-facts-putnam | https://qpublic.net/ga/putnam/ | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/georgia/putnam-county | https://www.putnamgatax.com/frequently-asked-questions | https://qpublic.net/ga/putnam/appeals.html | https://dor.georgia.gov/pt-311a-appeal-assessment-form

Last verified: 2026-07-22