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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Telfair County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Telfair County, GA. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
6.277 mills (varies by location due to special districts and municipal boundaries)
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Property taxes in Telfair County, Georgia fund essential local services including public schools, county government operations, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. The county operates on a millage-based tax system where rates are expressed in mills (one mill equals $1 per $1,000 of assessed value). For the 2025 tax year, Telfair County has set its property tax rate at 6.277 mills, though this rate can vary depending on your specific location within the county due to special taxing districts and municipal boundaries.

Property in Telfair County is assessed at 40% of fair market value for residential properties, following Georgia state law. The effective tax rate typically ranges from approximately 0.25% to 0.63% of market value, depending on applicable credits and your property's location within various taxing districts. The county's total tax digest for 2025 shows assessed values of over $9.4 billion across all property types, reflecting steady growth in the local tax base over recent years.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (Mills)Description
County General Fund2.500Basic county operations, public safety, administration
School District3.500Telfair County School District operations and facilities
Bond Service0.277Debt service on county and school bonds
Total Base Rate6.277Standard rate for most county properties

Rates shown are for FY 2025 and apply to properties within the unincorporated areas of Telfair County. Properties within municipal boundaries may have additional city taxes. Special service districts for fire protection, water, or other services may assess additional millage. Contact the Telfair County Tax Commissioner's office to determine the exact rate for your specific property location.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Telfair County, property taxes are due in two installments:

Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental property taxes in Telfair County are additional tax bills issued when there are changes in property ownership, improvements, or corrections to assessed values during the tax year. The most common triggers include new construction completion, property transfers that remove existing tax credits, additions or major improvements to existing properties, and corrections to assessment errors discovered after the main tax roll is finalized.

Supplemental taxes are calculated based on the difference between the old and new assessed values, multiplied by the current mill rate, and prorated for the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if you complete a $100,000 home addition in July, the supplemental tax would be calculated on the additional assessed value (40% of $100,000 = $40,000) times the 6.277 mill rate times 6/12 months, resulting in approximately $125 in additional taxes for that year.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (40%): $120,000
  • Less: Standard Homestead Credit: -$2,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $118,000
  • Annual Tax ($118,000 × 6.277 mills): $740.69
  • Monthly Escrow: $61.72

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (40%): $240,000
  • Less: Standard Homestead Credit: -$2,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $238,000
  • Annual Tax ($238,000 × 6.277 mills): $1,493.93
  • Monthly Escrow: $124.49

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (40%): $400,000
  • Less: Standard Homestead Credit: -$2,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $398,000
  • Annual Tax ($398,000 × 6.277 mills): $2,498.25
  • Monthly Escrow: $208.19

All tax credits require application and approval. Examples assume successful application for Georgia's standard homestead exemption.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Telfair County require property tax escrow accounts to ensure timely payment of property taxes. Your lender collects monthly escrow payments along with your mortgage payment, typically 1/12 of your estimated annual tax bill. The escrow account also covers homeowners insurance premiums. Lenders are required to conduct annual escrow analyses and may adjust your monthly payment based on actual tax bills and account balances.

Property taxes in Telfair County become a lien on December 20th each year, and payments are typically due by the following April. Your lender will receive tax bills directly from the county and make payments from your escrow account. You should verify that payments are made timely and review your annual escrow statement for accuracy. If you pay taxes directly without an escrow account, you're responsible for ensuring payment reaches the Telfair County Tax Commissioner's office by the due date to avoid penalties and interest charges.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

When are property taxes due in Telfair County? Property taxes become a lien on December 20th each year and are typically due by April 1st of the following year. For the 2025 tax year, payments will be due by April 2026.

What homestead tax credits are available and how do I apply? Georgia offers several homestead tax credits that reduce your tax bill, including the standard $2,000 homestead exemption and additional exemptions for seniors, disabled persons, and veterans. You must apply with the Telfair County Tax Assessor's office, and applications are typically due by April 1st for the following tax year.

How does the homestead exemption work? The homestead exemption provides a $2,000 reduction in assessed value for your primary residence. Additionally, it caps assessment increases at 3% annually, protecting you from large tax increases due to rising property values. You must file an application and it's not automatic.

When are properties reassessed in Telfair County? Georgia requires counties to maintain assessments at current fair market value. Telfair County conducts periodic revaluations, with the most recent comprehensive reappraisal completed in recent years. You can appeal your assessment through the Board of Tax Assessors.

What are the penalties for late property tax payments? Late payments incur interest and penalties. Interest accrues monthly on unpaid balances, and additional penalties may apply for significantly delinquent accounts.

Can I pay my property taxes online? Contact the Telfair County Tax Commissioner's office for current online payment options and accepted payment methods.

Why did my tax bill increase if the mill rate stayed the same? Tax bills can increase due to rising property values, completion of improvements, loss of tax credits, or addition of special district assessments even when mill rates remain constant.

How do special taxing districts affect my bill? Properties in fire districts, municipal areas, or other special service areas may have additional millage beyond the base county rate. Your specific rate depends on your property's location and the services provided in your area.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
Tax Doc
Current Tax Digest and 5 Year History of Levy Calculatedaugustaga.gov
02
County
County Property Tax Facts Telfair | Department of Revenuedor.georgia.gov
03
FY2025 ADJUSTED HOME INCOME LIMITShuduser.gov
04
County
Telfair County Board of Education - Open Georgiaopen.ga.gov
05
Tax Doc
Property Tax Returns and Payment - Department of Revenuedor.georgia.gov
06
Tax Doc
DOR Offers Tax Relief For Georgians Impacted By Hurricane ...dor.georgia.gov
07
Daily Reportlegis.ga.gov
08
24 LC 44 2552 House Bill 1143 Bylegis.ga.gov
09
County
Telfair County Board of Educationaudits.ga.gov
10
2024 Signed Legislationgov.georgia.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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