Clayton County property taxes are at a turning point.
A simple guide to the proposed 2026 county tax increase, new Georgia property tax laws, homeowner relief, and the public hearings coming this month.
2026 at a glance
These are the figures and dates homeowners should have on their radar right now.
Your assessment is not your tax bill.
The assessment notice shows the value used for taxation. Exemptions and millage rates are applied later to determine the actual bill.
The 6.44% figure has a specific meaning.
It compares the proposed county millage rate with the rollback rate. It does not mean every homeowner's total tax bill will rise exactly 6.44%.
The proposed rate is not final yet.
Because the proposed rate exceeds the rollback rate, Georgia law requires three public hearings before the final millage rate can be adopted.
2026 property-tax timeline
Key moments from the assessment cycle through the current millage rate adoption.
Tax-year framework begins
Georgia property taxation operates on the annual tax year cycle.
General property return / homestead deadline
Clayton County's standard filing deadline for property returns and homestead applications.
Clayton County Tax Assessors mailed assessment notices
CCTA office says its annual assessment notices were mailed June 30.
Clayton County Tax Assessors' 2026 appeal deadline
CCTA office posted August 14 as the 2026 appeal deadline.
Two public hearings
Hearings are scheduled for 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM at 112 Smith Street, Jonesboro.
Third public hearing and final adoption of millage rate
6:00 PM at the Clayton County Board of Commissioners Board Room, 112 Smith Street, Jonesboro.
What changed in 2026?
Three Laws are especially relevant to how Clayton County homeowners understand assessments and relief.
HB 870 — Targeted homestead relief
Approved by Clayton County voters in 2025 and effective Jan. 1, 2026, HB 870 creates a Clayton County homestead exemption for the following eligible residents; senior citizens (must be 65 as of Jan 1), 100% disabled veterans, unremarried surviving spouses of peace officers or firefighters killed in the line of duty, and 100% disabled civillian residents. The measure runs through Dec. 31, 2030.
SB 566 — A new assessment notice format
Georgia's 2026 legislation changed property tax assessment notice requirements. Homeowners will notice a different assessment notice format, with information designed to make valuation, exemptions and appeal rights easier to review.
SB 33 — HOME Act / local relief framework
Signed in 2026, SB 33 establishes a statewide property tax reform framework including a Local Homestead Option Sales Tax mechanism. Its effects unfold beyond the 2026 assessment cycle, so homeowners should distinguish current year rates from future relief provisions.
HB 581 — Statewide mandatory homestead exemption
Georgia's base year homestead framework remains important background for understanding 2026 property tax policy. HB 581 is state mandated by all authorities throughout GA.
Estimate the proposed County millage rate impact
Use the County's published rollback and tentative rates to create a simple illustrative estimate.
Property inputs
Your estimate
Rollback estimate
Illustrative difference
The County's own example for a $250,000 fair market value home is approximately $76.86 under its published assumptions. Your result may differ because exemptions and property specific calculations are not fully modeled here.
Upcoming hearings
If you want to comment on the proposed County millage rate, these are the published hearing opportunities.
Check your notice. Check your exemptions. Watch the final rate.
The 2026 assessment notice is the place to verify the value and exemptions attached to your parcel.
Official references
For a news-style page, keep primary government sources close to the story.
- Clayton County — Notice of Property Tax Increase Hearing
- Clayton County — Announcing Proposed Property Tax Increase
- Clayton County — Residents Approve HB 870
- Georgia Governor — 2026 Signed Legislation
- Georgia — SB 566 enacted text
- Clayton County — SB 566 assessment-notice explainer
Editorial note: This page is an informational news/explainer design, not legal or tax advice. Final millage rates, tax bills and eligibility can vary by parcel and taxing authority.