Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located and what are your office hours and phone numbers?
The Tax Commissioner’s Offices (both Property Tax and Tag Offices) are located on the first floor of the County Administration Building located on the corner of East Broad and Perry Streets. The street address is 22 East Broad Street.

Our mailing address is P.O. Box 195, Newnan, Ga. 30264

Office hours are 8:00 – 5:00, Monday – Friday (except for the 3rd Wednesday in each month when the offices open at 8:30).

Property Tax Office – 770-254-2670

Tag Office - 770-254-2631

Fax – 770-254-2634 (Tax & Tag)

What is property taxation?
Property tax is an ad valorem tax, which means according to value. Ad valorem tax, the tax collected by the tax commissioner, is based on the value of the taxable property in the county.

What property is taxed?
All real estate and personal property are taxable unless law has exempted the property. (O.C.G.A. 48-5-3) Real property is land and generally anything that is erected, growing or affixed to the land; personal property is everything that can be owned that is not real estate. Personal property typically consists of inventory and fixtures used in conducting business, boats, aircraft, farm machinery, motor vehicles and mobile homes. Your household property is not normally taxable.

Who decides how much my property is worth for tax purposes?
The Board of Assessors and their staff have the responsibility of determining the value of property in Coweta County. Each year between January 1 and April 1 every property owner has the ability to declare a proposed value for their property. (O.C.G.A. 48-5-9) These values are declared in the manner of 'filing a return'. Returns for real estate are filed in the Tax Commissioner's office and returns for personal property are filed with the Board of Assessors. The Board of Assessors will review your proposed value and if they disagree, an assessment notice with the Boards' value will be mailed to you.

What if I disagree with the Tax Assessors' value?
Taxpayers may challenge an assessment by Coweta County Board of Tax Assessors by appealing to Coweta County Board of Equalization or to an arbitrator(s) within 45 days from the date of the assessment notice. Once the county board of equalization or the arbitrator(s) has rendered a decision, the taxpayer may continue their appeal to the superior court by mailing or filing with Coweta County Board of Tax Assessors a written notice wishing to continue the appeal.

What is the difference between fair market value and assessed value?
Assessed value is defined as being 40% of the fair market value. Property in Georgia is taxed on the assessed value.

What is a millage rate?
The tax rate, or millage rate, is set annually by the Coweta County Commissioners and the Coweta County Board of Education. A tax rate of one mill represents a tax liability of one dollar per $1,000 of assessed value. Each governing authority estimates their total revenue from other sources. This figure is subtracted from their overall budgetary needs, and then a millage rate is set that will generate the necessary revenues to fulfill budgetary requirements.

How is my tax bill calculated?
Once the property owner and the Board of Assessors have come to terms with an appropriate value, this value is provided to the Tax Commissioner for tax bill calculation. To calculate a tax bill, you must first deduct any exemptions that many apply from the assessed value; thus generating a net assessed (taxable) value. Next you multiply the net assessed value by the millage rate.

What is the HTRC credit on my tax bill?
The HTRC (Homeowner's Tax Relief Credit) shown on your tax bill is the result of the homeowner's tax relief enacted by the Governor and the General Assembly of the State of Georgia in 1999. This credit only applies to homesteaded property. This act became more commonly know as the Homeowner's Tax Relief Credit (HTRC) act. In 2007 the HTRG credit saved homeowners in Coweta County over $5.7 million dollars in State, County and School Taxes.

When is my tax bill due?
Taxes for real estate and business personal property are normally due in Coweta County by December 1 of each year. Mobile/modular homes are due May 1 of each year and motor vehicles are due based on the owners' birthday. When mailing in payments; United States Postal Service postmarks are accepted (not metered postmarks).

After the due date, for real estate and business personal property, interest at the rate of 1% per month is charged. Additionally, a penalty of 10% will apply to all taxes that are not paid within 90 days of the deadline, however, homesteaded property with a tax liability of less than $500 does not receive the 90-day penalty. If delinquent, payment must include any interest and/or penalty due at the time of payment.

If the property taxes remain unpaid, the tax commissioner has the right and responsibility to levy on the property for non-payment. Of course we consider this a last resort for tax collection and other collection methods are preferred.

The Tax Commissioner’s Office also collects city taxes for Senoia, Grantville, Moreland, Haralson and Sharpsburg.

Tax bills are mailed to the January 1st owner as required by Georgia law. Responsibility regarding payment of the tax bill when it becomes due is determined at closing. First year property owners may not receive a tax bill on their property. Failure to receive a tax bill in the mail will not relieve late penalties if paid after the due date.

Is there anyway to reduce my tax bill?
Yes. There are several exemptions and special assessment programs available that may apply to your property. The most common are the homestead exemption for real estate and for business personal property there is the freeport exemption. Contact the Coweta County Tax Assessor’s Office for details of the available exemptions.

What is and how do I file for homestead exemption?
Homestead exemption is the system developed by the State of Georgia that exempts from taxation a specified amount of assessed value of your home. To apply for homestead exemption bring a copy of your warranty deed to the Tax Commissioner’s Office between January 1 and March 1. To qualify you must both own and occupy your home as of January 1. Once you have qualified for the regular homestead exemption or one of the senior exemptions and remain in the same house you do not need to reapply. However, if you move, you are required to reapply for the exemption for the new location. Applications for homestead exemption may now be submitted any time during the year but must be received before March 1 of the taxable year to qualify for the exemption that year. If received after March 1, the Tax Assessor will activate the exemption the following year.

Where do I get a copy of my warranty deed?
After closing on your home and all legal papers are filed and recorded, you should have received your warranty deed from the closing attorney. After recording you may also obtain a copy of the warranty deed from the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office located in the Coweta County Justice Center at 72 Greenville Street in Newnan.

Do I pay taxes on my mobile/modular home?
Yes. Mobile/modular homes are considered personal property and are taxable in the State of Georgia. Tax must be paid annually with a due date of May 1. The owner of any mobile/modular home located in Coweta County must file a return and obtain a location permit. In order to obtain this permit the mobile home tax for the current year must be paid in full.

Where do property tax dollars go?

To support administration of county government and the public school system;
To build and repair public buildings and bridges;
To pay expenses of courts, county jail and law enforcement;
To build and maintain county roads;
To provide for fire protection;
To provide for public health and sanitation;

This is an abbreviated list please see Ga. Code for a complete list. (O.C.G.A. 48-5-220)

Purpose of this Site

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS