Property Tax FAQs
Yes. Note the parcel ID number on your check or money order or attach a copy of your bill available on this website.
No. Failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve you of the responsibility to make payment by the due date. If you did not receive a tax bill, a copy of your bill is available on this website or you may contact our office through this website, by phone or visit one of our locations to obtain a copy of your bill.
Yes, we honor mail with a U.S. Government Post Office postmark dated by midnight of the payment/filing deadline. Metered postage dates are not accepted as proof of timely filing.
Yes. We will accept partial payments on your bill until paid in full. However, penalty and interest will accrue on the unpaid balance after December 1st. You must call our office at 706-677-6204 to make payment arrangements.
If you feel your property value is not reflective of the fair market value, you may file an appeal with the Tax Assessors Office.
Applications, instructions and information are available on this website. The applicant's name must appear on the deed to the property and they must own, occupy and claim the property as their legal residence on January 1 to be eligible for any exemption for that tax year. Exemptions are not automatic and each exemption must be applied for separately. Legal evidence of residency and U. S. citizenship such as a copy of a Georgia Driver's License or Georgia ID Card, etc. must be provided. A non-citizen must provide legal authorization from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service such as an Alien or I94 number.
A current registration or receipt of motor vehicle taxes paid in Banks County must be provided for all personal vehicles owned at the time of application. The applicant may claim exemptions on only one property. A husband and wife constitute one "applicant" and may claim only one exemption. Exemptions are automatically renewed and the applicant need not reapply if the home has been refinanced. The Tax Commissioner's office must be notified in the event the applicant no longer qualifies.
Exemption applications are accepted year-round; however, the original application (faxed or emailed copy not accepted) must be received or U. S. postmarked (a metered postmark is not accepted as proof of timely mailing) by April 1, 2015 to affect the 2015 taxes. Applications not received by the deadline will be processed for the following tax year.
If the business closed or the property was sold after January 1 in the current tax year, the tax is due. Taxes are assessed as of January 1 for the entire tax year. If the property closed or sold after January 1, you must notify the Board of Assessors at 706-677-6223.
The applicant must reapply for any exemptions if a name change or change of ownership occurs due to marriage, death or divorce; a copy of a recorded deed, marriage certificate or divorce decree must be provided.
You must pay at least the appeal amount by the due date to avoid a 1% penalty. You cannot defer payment. The Tax Assessors' office is not authorized to extend the payment deadline. 1% interest per month (up to $150) accrues on the remaining balance. You may choose to pay the full amount of the bill by the due date to avoid paying interest.
No, the Tax Commissioner does not prorate taxes or become involved in the proration of taxes between a seller and buyer. Taxes are calculated for the entire year. Liability for taxes is established during the closing of the sale of property; generally speaking, the purchaser assumes this liability. Your closing paperwork will reflect who is responsible for the payment of taxes. Since taxes legally attach to the property, the current owner should ensure that taxes are paid.
Taxes not paid by the due date will accrue an interest per month until paid in full.
We prefer the taxpayer to forward a copy of their bill to their motgage company.
Contact Information
Banks County Tax Commissioner
Becky Carlan
150 Hudson Ridge
Suite 7
Homer, Georgia 30547
706-677-6204