Fulton County Property Tax Lookup
How to Search, Pay, and Avoid Tax Delinquency in 2026
If you own property in Atlanta or anywhere in Fulton County, understanding how to perform a Fulton County property tax lookup is one of the most important financial skills you can have. Whether you’re a first-time homeowner trying to make sense of your tax bill, an investor screening a potential acquisition, or someone who has fallen behind on payments and needs to understand your options — this guide covers everything you need to know.
Georgia property tax law moves fast, and Fulton County is one of the highest-value, highest-volume jurisdictions in the state. That means the stakes are high for homeowners and investors alike. This article walks you through how to search tax records online, how to read your bill, what happens when taxes go unpaid, how to find delinquent properties and upcoming tax sales, and how to resolve back taxes before you lose your property.
Let’s get into it.
How to Perform a Fulton County Property Tax Lookup Online
The good news is that Fulton County makes property tax information publicly accessible through several online portals. You don’t need to hire an attorney or visit a government office to get started — most searches take less than five minutes.
Step 1: Go to the Fulton County Tax Commissioner’s Website
The primary tool for a Fulton County property tax lookup is the official website of the Fulton County Tax Commissioner. This portal allows you to search active tax records, view current and prior-year bills, check payment status, and even pay your taxes online.
Navigate directly to the Fulton County Tax Commissioner’s property tax search portal at fultoncountytaxes.org. You can also access it through the main Fulton County government property tax page at fultoncountyga.gov. Look for the “Search for a Tax Bill” option and click through to the search portal.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
The portal gives you three primary ways to search:
By Parcel ID (PIN): This is the fastest and most accurate method. Every property in Fulton County is assigned a unique Parcel Identification Number. If you have it — from a previous tax bill, a deed, or the Board of Assessors website — enter it here. This is especially useful for a Fulton County parcel search when you’re dealing with vacant land or commercial properties that don’t have a traditional street address.
By Property Address: Enter the street number and street name. The system will return a list of matching parcels. Be flexible with your formatting — try abbreviations like “St” vs. “Street” or “Dr” vs. “Drive” if your first search returns no results.
By Owner Name: You can also search by the name of the property owner of record. This is useful if you’re researching multiple properties owned by the same person or entity. Keep in mind that ownership records may lag a few weeks or months behind recent sales.
Step 3: Review the Tax Record
Once you’ve located the property, the portal will display the full tax record, including:
Current year tax bill amount — what’s owed for the present tax cycle
Payment status — whether taxes have been paid, partially paid, or remain outstanding
Prior year balance — any delinquent amounts carried over from previous years
Assessed value — the taxable value assigned by the Board of Assessors
Exemptions applied — including the homestead exemption and any senior or veteran exemptions
Tax district — Fulton County has multiple tax districts that affect your total millage rate
Step 4: Cross-Reference with the Board of Assessors
For a more complete picture — especially if you want to understand how the taxable value was calculated — cross-reference your results with the Fulton County Board of Assessors portal at fultonassessor.org. This gives you the full assessment breakdown, including fair market value, assessed value, and any appeal history.
This is also the right portal to use if you believe your property has been overvalued and you want to challenge your assessment. A successful appeal directly reduces your tax burden.
Step 5: Check the Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court for Liens
If you’re performing a Fulton County tax lien search on a property you’re considering purchasing — or on your own property after missing payments — visit the Fulton County Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts Real Estate Division to check for any recorded tax liens, Fi.Fa. filings (tax execution documents), or other encumbrances on the title. The Clerk’s office is located at 136 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303, and deed records can also be searched online through their eServices portal at fultonclerk.org.
This is a critical step for investors and buyers. A property with an unresolved tax lien can create significant complications at closing.
Understanding Your Fulton County Property Tax Bill
Before you can manage your Atlanta property taxes effectively, you need to understand how your bill is calculated. Many homeowners pay their bill without ever understanding where the number comes from — and that’s a mistake, because errors are more common than most people realize.
How Property Taxes Are Calculated in Fulton County
Georgia uses a standardized formula for calculating property taxes across all 159 counties:
Fair Market Value × 40% = Assessed Value Assessed Value × Millage Rate = Annual Tax Bill
So if your home has a fair market value of $350,000, your assessed value is $140,000. If the combined millage rate for your tax district is 30 mills (0.030), your annual tax bill would be $140,000 × 0.030 = $4,200.
The millage rate is set by multiple taxing authorities — Fulton County, the City of Atlanta (or your specific municipality), and your local school district each set their own millage rates. Your total Fulton County tax bill is the sum of all applicable millage rates. For a full breakdown of how your property is assessed, the Fulton County Board of Assessors publishes an easy-to-read guide on understanding your property assessment.
Exemptions That Can Lower Your Bill
Georgia law offers several exemptions that can meaningfully reduce your tax liability. The most important for most homeowners is the homestead exemption in Georgia, which is available to any homeowner who occupies their property as their primary residence.
To receive the homestead exemption in Fulton County, you must apply through the Board of Assessors by April 1 of the tax year. You can apply online directly at fultonassessor.org/exemptions, or in person at any of the six Fulton County Board of Assessors locations, including the main office at 235 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30303. Once approved, the exemption typically remains in effect as long as you continue to occupy the home as your primary residence — you don’t need to reapply every year.
Other available exemptions include:
Senior citizen exemptions — available to homeowners 62 and older who meet income thresholds, with additional exemptions for those 70 and older. In 2025, Fulton County voters also approved new senior homestead exemptions for the Fulton County Schools and Atlanta Public Schools portions of property taxes.
Disability exemptions — for qualifying disabled homeowners
Veteran exemptions — for eligible veterans and their surviving spouses
Conservation use exemptions — for agricultural or timber land
If you’re not receiving an exemption you may qualify for, contact the Fulton County Board of Assessors directly at 404-612-6440. Exemptions cannot be applied retroactively beyond the current tax year, so don’t delay.
Due Dates and Payment Options
Fulton County property taxes are typically due in the fall — the specific date varies by year, but October and November deadlines are common. The Fulton County Tax Commissioner sends bills out well in advance, but it’s your responsibility to pay whether or not you receive a bill.
Property tax payment options in Georgia for Fulton County include:
Online payment via the fultoncountytaxes.org portal (credit card, debit card, or e-check)
Mail-in payment by check payable to the Fulton County Tax Commissioner
In-person payment at the Tax Commissioner’s office or designated payment locations
Mortgage escrow — if your lender escrows your taxes, they pay the bill from your escrow account on your behalf
If your taxes are escrowed, review your annual escrow statement carefully. Lenders sometimes make errors, and underpayment can leave you with an unexpected delinquency.
Penalties for Late Payment
Georgia property tax penalties kick in quickly once the due date passes. According to the Georgia Department of Revenue’s Fulton County property tax facts page, taxpayers have 60 days from the postmark of the tax bill to pay before interest begins accruing. Once a property is certified as delinquent, additional administrative fees and legal costs are added to the outstanding balance.
Don’t wait to pay if you know you’re going to be late. Contacting the Tax Commissioner’s office proactively to discuss your situation is always better than ignoring the bill.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay Property Taxes in Fulton County?
Falling behind on property taxes is more dangerous than most homeowners realize. Unlike a missed mortgage payment — which triggers a lengthy foreclosure process — property tax delinquency in Fulton County can result in the loss of your home through a relatively swift legal process.
Here’s what the escalation looks like.
Step 1: Delinquent Status
Once property taxes are past due, the account becomes delinquent. Interest begins accruing immediately. The Fulton County Tax Commissioner’s office will make collection attempts through notices and calls.
Step 2: Tax Execution (Fi.Fa.)
If the delinquency remains unresolved, the Tax Commissioner issues a tax execution, also known as a Fi.Fa. (from the Latin “fieri facias”). This document is recorded in the public record and creates a tax lien against the property. A Fi.Fa. becomes a cloud on the title that must be resolved before the property can be legally transferred.
Step 3: Tax Lien Collection Actions
With a recorded tax lien, the county has the legal authority to pursue collection. This can include levying on bank accounts, garnishing income, and — most critically — initiating a tax foreclosure in Georgia to force a sale of the property.
Step 4: Tax Foreclosure
Georgia has two primary mechanisms for enforcing delinquent tax collections: the tax deed sale process under O.C.G.A. § 48-4 and the newer in rem tax foreclosure process available to counties under O.C.G.A. § 48-4-75. Fulton County uses both mechanisms.
In a tax deed sale, the county sells the delinquent tax lien to the highest bidder at a public auction. The buyer acquires a tax deed — not full ownership — but the original owner has a right of redemption period (typically 12 months in Georgia) to reclaim the property by paying the full redemption amount.
The Georgia tax sale process is different from a mortgage foreclosure, but the end result — losing your home — is the same if you fail to act.
For a deeper dive into how foreclosure-related processes work in the county, learn more about Fulton County foreclosure notices here and read our full guide to the Georgia foreclosure timeline explained.
Fulton County Property Tax Lookup for Delinquent Properties and Tax Sales
For investors, attorneys, and motivated buyers, the Fulton County property tax lookup system is also a powerful tool for identifying distressed properties — homes and lots where owners have fallen behind on taxes and may be facing a tax sale.
How to Find Delinquent Properties
The Fulton County Tax Commissioner periodically publishes lists of properties with outstanding tax delinquencies. These lists are required by Georgia law to be published in the county’s legal organ before a tax sale can proceed.
You can find these lists by:
Monitoring the Fulton County Clerk’s delinquent tax list at fulton.clerkinfo.net, which publishes the official delinquent tax list ahead of scheduled sheriff’s sales
Searching the Tax Commissioner’s online portal at fultoncountytaxes.org for properties showing unpaid prior-year balances
Checking the Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court at fultoncountyga.gov/plats-and-land-records to search for recorded Fi.Fa. documents, which indicate active tax liens
Understanding the Tax Deed Auction
Georgia tax deed sales are public auctions held at the Fulton County courthouse steps at 136 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Properties are sold to the highest bidder, with the minimum bid typically equal to the delinquent taxes, penalties, interest, and costs. The winning bidder receives a tax deed — not a warranty deed — which means the title may still have encumbrances that must be resolved.
After the sale, the original owner has a 12-month right of redemption in Georgia. During this period, they can reclaim the property by paying the redemption amount (typically 20% premium above what the tax sale purchaser paid, plus any additional taxes paid). This redemption right makes Georgia tax deeds a unique investment — the buyer is essentially holding the property hostage to the owner’s redemption decision.
How to Find Upcoming Tax Sales in Fulton County
Upcoming Fulton County Sheriff’s Tax Sales are held on the first Tuesday of each month, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The official sales list is published directly on the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Tax Sales page at fultoncountyga.gov, where you can access the current month’s sales list and register as a bidder. A courtesy listing also runs in the South Fulton Neighbor newspaper for four weeks prior to each sale date.
To learn more about how the bidding and lien process works, explore the Fulton County tax lien sale process in detail.
How to Resolve Back Property Taxes in Fulton County
If you’ve fallen behind on property taxes in Fulton County — or you’re worried you’re about to — you have options. The key is acting early. The earlier you engage with the process, the more tools you have available.
Option 1: Pay the Full Balance
The simplest resolution is paying everything owed — principal, interest, penalties, and fees — in a single payment. The fultoncountytaxes.org portal shows the full balance due, including all accrued costs. Once paid, the lien is released and the Fi.Fa. is cancelled of record.
Option 2: Set Up a Payment Plan
The Fulton County Tax Commissioner’s office offers installment payment arrangements for qualifying homeowners with delinquent balances. These plans allow you to pay down the arrears over time rather than coming up with a lump sum immediately.
To qualify, you typically need to make a meaningful down payment and demonstrate the ability to keep up with both the installment payments and any future taxes as they come due. Contact the Tax Commissioner’s office directly at the Fulton County Tax Commissioner department page to discuss eligibility and terms.
Option 3: Apply for Tax Relief Programs
Georgia offers several property tax relief programs for qualifying homeowners, particularly seniors and low-income households. Programs vary by jurisdiction — Fulton County and the City of Atlanta each administer their own relief efforts, and eligibility criteria change periodically.
If you’re a senior, disabled, or experiencing financial hardship, contact the Fulton County Board of Assessors at fultonassessor.org and the Tax Commissioner’s office to ask specifically what relief programs you may qualify for. The Board of Assessors also publishes a detailed homestead exemption guide covering all current exemption programs.
Option 4: Appeal Your Assessment to Reduce Future Bills
If your property is overassessed — meaning the county has placed a higher value on it than it’s actually worth — winning an appeal will reduce your future tax bills going forward. While this won’t eliminate past delinquencies, it can make your ongoing obligations more manageable.
If you think your home’s fair market value is lower than what the county has on record, gather recent comparable sales data and file an appeal with the Fulton County Board of Assessors within the designated appeal window (45 days from the mailing of your assessment notice, per Georgia law).
Option 5: Sell the Property Before the Tax Sale
If you have equity in your home and the delinquency has grown to a point where you cannot realistically pay it off, selling the property before the tax sale in Fulton County may be your best option.
A pre-sale allows you to use the sale proceeds to pay off the tax lien (and any mortgage), potentially walk away with remaining equity, and avoid the credit damage and legal complications of a tax sale. For more information on navigating this path, see our guide on selling a house with unpaid property taxes in Georgia.
The window for this option closes once the tax sale takes place. After that, the buyer has legal rights that significantly complicate any sale.
Option 6: Consult a Foreclosure or Tax Attorney
If your situation involves multiple years of delinquency, a mortgage that’s also in default, or a pending tax sale, speaking with a Georgia-licensed real estate or foreclosure defense attorney is strongly recommended. An attorney can review all your options — including bankruptcy — and help you understand which path offers the best outcome for your specific circumstances.
For homeowners also dealing with a mortgage default, see how to stop foreclosure in Atlanta GA before both the lender and the county move simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions: Fulton County Property Tax Lookup
Q: How do I find my Fulton County property tax bill if I never received one? A: Go to the Fulton County Tax Commissioner’s online portal at fultoncountytaxes.org and search by your property address or parcel ID. Your bill and payment status are available online regardless of whether you received a physical copy. Georgia law holds you responsible for timely payment whether or not a bill was mailed.
Q: What is the homestead exemption in Georgia and how do I apply for it in Fulton County? A: The homestead exemption reduces the assessed value of your primary residence for tax purposes. In Fulton County, you apply online at fultonassessor.org/exemptions or in person at any of the six Board of Assessors office locations. The deadline is April 1 of the tax year. You only need to apply once — it renews automatically as long as you continue to occupy the home as your primary residence.
Q: How much interest does Fulton County charge on delinquent property taxes? A: According to the Georgia Department of Revenue’s Fulton County property tax facts, taxpayers have 60 days from the postmark of the bill before interest begins accruing. After that, interest accumulates monthly along with additional penalties and administrative costs. Delinquent accounts that proceed to a Fi.Fa. and eventual tax sale accumulate significant additional fees.
Q: Can someone else pay my property taxes and take my home in Georgia? A: Yes — this is essentially what happens at a tax deed sale. A third party pays the delinquent taxes at the Fulton County Sheriff’s Tax Sale and receives a tax deed. You then have 12 months to redeem the property by paying the redemption amount. If you don’t redeem within that period, the tax deed holder can move to quiet title and take full ownership.
Q: How do I find out if a property has unpaid taxes before I buy it? A: Perform a Fulton County property tax lookup through fultoncountytaxes.org using the property’s address or parcel ID. Also check the Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court’s real estate records for any recorded Fi.Fa. documents. Both steps are essential due diligence for any real estate purchase in metro Atlanta.
Q: What’s the difference between a tax lien and a tax deed sale in Georgia? A: In Georgia, the county does not sell “tax lien certificates” the way some states do. Instead, the county sells tax deeds at auction — meaning the winning bidder receives a deed to the property (subject to the original owner’s redemption right), not just a lien. Full details on how Fulton County administers this process are available on the Fulton County Sheriff’s Tax Sales page.
Stay Ahead of Property Tax Changes in Metro Atlanta
Property tax laws, millage rates, exemption rules, and tax sale schedules change every year in Fulton County — and what you don’t know can cost you significantly.
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Don’t wait for a notice in the mail to start paying attention to your property tax situation. A proactive Fulton County property tax lookup today could save you thousands — or your home — tomorrow.
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This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Property tax laws and procedures are subject to change. Always verify current information with the Fulton County Tax Commissioner and Board of Assessors, and consult a licensed Georgia attorney for advice specific to your situation.