State Summary

• Tax Collection Method: Deeds
• Primary Bidding Type: Premium
• Redemption Period: 1 year
• Redemption Interest Rate/Flat Penalty: 20% flat penalty during mandatory one-year redemption period; 10% flat penalty for each subsequent year (up to three additional years)

Is Georgia a tax lien or a tax deed state?
Georgia is a redeemable tax deed state. However, the characteristics of Georgia tax deeds are very similar to tax liens in other states. Generally speaking, the holder of a tax deed has no rights to the property at all until the property owner's right to redeem is foreclosed upon.

What is the name of the county official whom typically collects property taxes in Georgia?
Tax Commissioner.

When are property taxes due in the state of Georgia?
The annual property tax payment for all counties in Georgia is due October 15.

When do property taxes become delinquent in the state of Georgia? 
The annual property tax payment for all counties in Georgia becomes delinquent beginning October 16, one day after the due date. Interest accrues on the tax bill at a rate of 1% per month until paid.

What is the name of the county official whom typically conducts tax
deed sales in Georgia?
Depending on the county, either the Tax Commissioner, Sheriff, or a constable will conduct the tax deed sale.

When does the typical Georgia county hold their tax deed sales?
Tax deed sales in Georgia may be held the first Tuesday of any month during the year. Some larger counties may hold sales every month, while smaller counties may only have a few tax deed sales per year.

What are the registration requirements for the typical Georgia tax deed sale?
Many Georgia counties do not require registration.

What is the bidding type used at a typical Georgia tax deed sale?
Premium bidding at a public outcry auction.

What forms of payment are generally accepted at a typical Georgia tax deed sale?
Cash, cashier's/certified check, or money order.

What are the general terms of payment for the typical tax deed purchased at a Georgia tax deed sale?
Full payment for the tax deed is generally required the same day of the sale.

What is the maximum return (interest rate and/or flat penalty rate) investors earn while they hold the redeemable tax deed?
Property owners must pay a 20% penalty on the total amount of the purchased tax deed in order to redeem the property. This is a flat penalty rate as opposed to an accruing interest rate. In other words, the property owner must pay the 20% penalty no matter if he/she redeems two days after the sale or 11 months after the sale. A 10% penalty is added to the initial 20% penalty for each year or fraction of a year that passes since the issuance of the tax deed. So, if a tax deed is redeemed after more than three years (but less than four years) after issuance, the tax deed holder will receive a return of 50% on the total amount paid for the deed plus all subsequent taxes paid.

Are the penalties applied only to the minimum bid amount for each property, or are the penalties also assessed on the premium or "overbid" paid for the property during the auction?
The 20% penalty applies to the total amount paid for the tax deed at the sale. Additionally, a 10% penalty is assessed each subsequent year or fraction of a year on the total amount paid for the tax deed plus any subsequent taxes paid by the holder of the tax deed.

What is the redemption period for redeemable tax deeds in Georgia?
The property owner has at least one year to redeem the property, and technically, up to four years depending on when the tax deed holder decides to start the process of foreclosure. Should the tax deed purchaser choose not to seek foreclosure of the right of redemption, the tax deed will ripen by prescription after a period of four years. At this point, property ownership is transferred to the tax deed holder. The tax deed holder must pay for any remaining subsequent taxes.

Are tax deeds offered "over-the-counter" in Georgia?
No.

What is the name of the county official whom typically determines the values of properties on an annual basis?
Chief Appraiser.

Does the typical Georgia county feature a Geographic Information System (GIS) application on their Web site?
A lot of Georgia counties have GIS applications available on their Web sites. GIS applications can be very useful for tax lien and tax deed investors because most of them feature aerial photos (some with zooming options), and a lot of them are integrated with tax bills and assessor/appraisal records, which simplifies the task of researching properties online.

Georgia County Reference