ATLANTA – On Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018, the Georgia House of Representatives passed House Bill 820, sponsored by State Representative Beth Beskin (R-Atlanta) by a vote of 164 – 5. HB 820 would provide a new homestead exemption from City of Atlanta property taxes, effectively capping the annual assessment increase at 2.6 percent.
“House Bill 820 would ensure that an Atlanta homeowner’s property assessment for Atlanta city taxes purposes does not increase more than 2.6 percent annually by adjusting the homestead exemption each year to offset escalating assessments. HB 820 thus provides Atlanta homeowners with predictability and stability,” said Rep. Beskin. “Many Atlanta homeowners are being taxed out of their homes. Last year, 50 percent of Fulton County properties had assessments increase by more than 20 percent; 20 percent of assessments increased by more than 50 percent; and many homeowners’ assessments increased 100 percent or more. HB 820 would allow more Atlantans to stay in their homes without the financial burden of skyrocketing tax assessments. I was proud to sponsor this measure, which received overwhelming bipartisan passage in the House, and I hope the Senate will favorably consider this legislation.”
HB 820 would provide a floating homestead exemption from City of Atlanta taxes effective Jan. 1, 2019. This bill does not relate to nor would it affect taxes for the Atlanta Public Schools system.
For more information on House Bill 820, please click here.
Representative Beth Beskin represents the citizens of District 54, which includes portions of Fulton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2014 and currently serves on the Education, Judiciary, MARTOC, Regulated Industries and State Planning & Community Affairs committees. She is also a member of the Medical Cannabis working group.
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