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Adapting to HB 581: How Georgia Assessors Are Staying Ahead of New Tax Rules

  • Writer: Andrew B.
    Andrew B.
  • Sep 15, 2024
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jul 29

Breaking down the impact of Georgia’s new tax bill — and the modern tools making compliance manageable



Georgia’s HB 581 Has Changed the Game — and Made Homestead Accuracy Mission-Critical


In January 2025, House Bill 581 (HB 581) took effect, reshaping how counties across Georgia administer property taxation. Intended to protect homeowners from sudden increases in tax bills, the legislation introduced a range of reforms — from new property reappraisal requirements to inflation-based tax caps.


On paper, these changes may seem procedural. But in practice, they’re creating a perfect storm of reduced revenue, increased complexity, and greater pressure on assessors.


One area where that pressure is especially acute? Homestead exemption administration.


Because when tax offices must reappraise more frequently — while also navigating limits on assessed value increases — the accuracy of every exemption on the roll matters more than ever.



What HB 581 Requires — and What It Means for Assessors


The 27-page bill includes several transparency and oversight changes, but two key provisions are driving the biggest impact for local tax offices:


Mandatory Property Reappraisals Every 3 Years


All properties in Georgia must now be reappraised at least once every three years to reflect fair market value.


Implication:  This triples the reassessment workload for many counties, especially those that relied on event-based appraisals (e.g. after a sale or renovation).


Inflation-Based Tax Cap on Assessed Value Increases


Assessed value increases for homeowners are now capped at the inflation rate — even if market values rise faster. This limits how quickly property tax revenue can grow.


Implication: Governments lose flexibility and funding — while assessors are held accountable for precise valuations and exemption enforcement.


“In order to maintain the level of educational services, we would continue to raise the millage rate.” — Superintendent Beverley Levine, Oglethorpe Echo


Why Homestead Accuracy Matters Now More Than Ever


  • Exemptions frequently become invalid due to life changes like deaths, divorces, or moves

  • Ineligible exemptions drain limited revenue, especially in capped environments

  • Manual checks and infrequent audits can’t keep up with a law that expects continuous fairness

  • Public scrutiny is rising as schools and local governments face budget shortfalls


In short, exemption management is no longer just a back-office task — it’s now a central component of compliance, public trust, and financial sustainability under HB 581.



How Georgia Assessors Are Meeting the Moment — With TrueRoll


While HB 581 has added pressure to appraisal offices, it has also created a clear opportunity: to modernize outdated workflows and adopt smarter tools.


Enter TrueRoll — the only platform purpose-built for homestead exemption administration. Unlike vendors that offer point-in-time audits or generic “big data” overlays, TrueRoll is designed to:


  • Keep tax rolls continuously accurate

  • Reduce the workload on staff

  • Help counties recapture revenue and maintain fairness


Exceed the 3-Year Audit Mandate — Automatically


Rather than waiting for periodic reappraisals, TrueRoll continuously monitors exemption data using 1,000+ authoritative sources including property records, voter rolls, driver’s license data, obituaries, rental listings, and more.


Benefits:

  • Detects changes in eligibility as they happen

  • Prevents the need for mass manual audits

  • Keeps your office ready for review — all the time


Serve Residents with Speed and Confidence


As residents adjust to new rules, miscommunication can increase frustration and appeals. TrueRoll gives assessors up-to-date exemption data, enabling faster, more accurate responses.


“This is where TrueRoll helps out, takes the labor intensity off your employees, and gives them a huge tool to be effective.” — Neal Grover, Chief Appraiser, Effingham County


Offset Revenue Loss by Removing Ineligible Exemptions


In a capped tax environment, every inaccurate exemption costs real dollars. TrueRoll flags parcels that are no longer eligible — so your team can take action before revenue is lost.


Proof:

  • Effingham County identified 272 ineligible exemptions and recovered over $361,000 using TrueRoll.



HB 581 Is a Disruption — And an Opportunity to Modernize


For Georgia counties, HB 581 has changed the rules — but it doesn’t have to break your operations. With the right tools, assessors can turn the challenge into an opportunity to:


  • Modernize exemption management

  • Increase operational efficiency

  • Stay compliant and audit-ready year-round

  • Protect revenue and public trust



See how Georgia assessors are using TrueRoll to simplify homestead administration and stay ahead of HB 581.


Learn More about HB 581.




FAQs About HB 581 and Homestead Exemptions in Georgia


Q: What does HB 581 require for Georgia assessors? A: The law mandates property reappraisals every three years and includes an optional inflation-based cap on assessed value increases.


Q: Why does homestead exemption accuracy matter under HB 581? A: Because property tax growth is capped, each exemption must be valid — or it drains critical revenue from schools and public services.


Q: How does TrueRoll help with HB 581 compliance? A: TrueRoll automates exemption eligibility checks, flags ineligible parcels in real time, and reduces the burden of reappraisal prep.



 
 
 

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