Rate Breakdown

Property taxes in Stewart County are calculated by multiplying the assessed value (minus exemptions) by the total local millage rate.

How Property Tax Works in Stewart County

In Stewart County, Georgia, property tax is determined by the county’s appraisal board, which assesses the market value of a parcel of land and the structures on it. The assessment is then multiplied by the county’s millage rate—expressed in mills per $1,000 of assessed value—to calculate the annual tax liability. Stewart County’s millage rates typically combine provisions for the county, the county school district, the county’s health & human services program, and the county’s sewer system. For example, a combined rate of 15 mills would mean a property assessed at $100,000 would owe $1,500 in annual taxes.

Annual property taxes are collected in two installments: the first due on the day after the end of the first 60 days of the tax year (usually early March), and the second on the day after the end of the next 60 days (usually early July). The tax commission sends each property owner a statement that details the assessed value, the applicable millage rates, and the total amount due. Property owners who fail to pay on time may incur a late‑fee penalty of up to 5 % over the remaining balance per 30‑day period, plus daily interest at the current state rate.

Available Exemptions

• Homestead Exemption: Georgia law allows a primary residence to receive a $20 000 reduction in assessed value for county tax, plus a $20 000 reduction for school tax. This program is available to all homeowners who occupy the property as their main home.
• Senior Citizen Exemption: Residents aged 62 or older who own a primary residence may receive an additional exemption of $10 000 for county tax and $10 000 for school tax, thereby reducing the taxable amount by $20 000.
• Disability Exemption: Owners who are legally disabled or qualify for a disability under Georgia law may receive a $7 000 exemption for county tax and $7 000 for school tax.
• Veteran Exemption: Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and their surviving spouses, are eligible for a $7 000 exemption for each tax category (county and school).

All exemptions must be applied for and approved by the Stewart County Tax Commission before the tax year begins. Property owners can submit the application online or by mail and should provide proof of ownership, residency, age, disability status, or veteran service as required.

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

Stewart County collects property taxes in two equal instalments. The first payment is due on the day following the final day of the 60‑day period that begins on January 1 (typically March 1), and the second payment is due the same way after the next 60‑day period (typically July 1). All payments must be made in full by the due date to avoid penalties.

If a payment is missed, the tax commission applies a late fee of 5 % of the outstanding balance and an interest charge of 5 % per annum compounded daily. Persistent delinquency can result in a tax lien, seizure of the property, or forced sale at public auction.

Property owners may request a partial payment arrangement by contacting the county tax office. However, such arrangements are typically only granted for genuine hardship cases and require approval in writing.

Appealing Your Assessment

Property owners who believe their assessed value is too high have 60 days from the date the tax statement is mailed to file an appeal with the Stewart County Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The appeal must be in writing and include supporting evidence—such as comparable sales, professional appraisals, or photographs of the property.

After the appeal is filed, the ARB will review the case and may order a re‑assessment if warranted. If the owner disagrees with the ARB decision, they may appeal further to the Georgia Tax Appeals Board. The appeal process is strictly time‑bound and requires all documentation to be submitted on or before the deadlines; otherwise, the assessed value will stand, and any delinquent payments will accrue penalties and interest.