Gwinnett County Considers Opting Out of Statewide Homestead Exemption

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Gwinnett County is evaluating whether to opt out of the newly introduced Statewide Adjusted Base Year Homestead Exemption under House Bill 581. To gather public input, the County is hosting public hearings where residents can learn more and voice their opinions.

Why Is Gwinnett Opting Out?

Unlike many other local governments in Georgia, Gwinnett County already provides a more beneficial homestead exemption for homeowners. The County’s Value Offset Exemption (VOE), in place since 2001, offers greater protection against rising property values and ensures lower County government taxes for residents.

By opting out of the new statewide exemption, Gwinnett County aims to avoid unnecessary administrative costs while continuing to provide stable and predictable tax savings to homeowners.

How the Current Value Offset Exemption (VOE) Works

When a Gwinnett County homeowner is granted a homestead exemption, the VOE freezes the assessed property value at the base year valuation. This means:

The County tax portion of the homeowner’s bill remains based on that frozen base value, even if the property value increases.
Most property tax increases come from school and city taxes, rather than the County tax rate.
Homeowners receive consistent property tax relief, protecting them from the impact of inflation.

By contrast, the new Statewide Adjusted Base Year Homestead Exemption under House Bill 581 adjusts the base value annually for inflation, potentially leading to rising tax burdens over time.

Savings for Homeowners Under the Current VOE

Example 1: Home in Suwanee

2021 Market Value: $420,300 → 2024 Market Value: $746,500
County Tax Due: $1,254.71 (unchanged for four years)
Savings Over Four Years: $5,691.11

Example 2: Home in Unincorporated Auburn

2021 Market Value: $225,500 → 2024 Market Value: $407,500
County Tax Due: $1,066.83 (unchanged for four years)
Savings Over Four Years: $3,116.76

These examples show how the VOE protects homeowners from large tax increases while allowing them to benefit from rising home values without paying higher County taxes.

Public Hearings on the Homestead Exemption Decision

Gwinnett County is hosting public hearings to discuss this decision and hear feedback from residents. Meetings will take place at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville at 75 Langley Drive:

Tuesday, February 4 at 2:30 PM
Tuesday, February 18 at 11:00 AM

Additional hearings may be held by cities and schools if they decide to opt out of the new exemption as well.

What’s Next for Gwinnett Homeowners?

The County’s decision will determine how property tax exemptions are handled moving forward. By maintaining the existing VOE, Gwinnett County aims to continue offering stable and predictable tax relief while minimizing administrative costs.

Residents are encouraged to attend the hearings and share their thoughts on how this decision could impact their Gwinnett Homestead Exemption benefits.