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HB581 - Information and Frequently Asked Questions

HB581 - An overview

HB 581 establishes a homestead float that caps increases in property assessments for funds that currently lack such a cap. The decision to remain in the program or “opt-out” is not a tax increase. This bill does not replace any existing exemptions taxpayers may already have, such as the school tax exemption.

Cobb County residents living in unincorporated areas currently pay property taxes into three primary funds: the fire fund, the general fund, and the school tax. Cobb County Government oversees the fire and general funds, while the School Board manages the school tax.

Cobb County Government already has a floating homestead exemption in place for the general fund. Therefore, HB 581 will only apply to the fire fund and the school tax. Taxpayers with a homestead exemption in Cobb County will continue to see a frozen assessment for the general fund. Neither the fire fund nor the school tax has a floating homestead provision. HB 581 would cap assessment increases for these two funds.

Each taxing jurisdiction—county, cities, and school districts—must decide whether to remain in the program or “opt-out.” Cobb County Government does not make decisions on behalf of cities or school districts regarding their participation in the program.

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image from presentation before the board
HB581 Informational Slide Deck

As presented to the Cobb County Board of Commissioners in December 2024.

Click here to download and view.

Public Hearings Scheduled

All citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held at the Board of Commissioners meeting room located at 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta, Georgia, on:

  • Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 9:00 AM
  • Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM

See the county's Intent to Opt-Out of Homestead Exemption notice

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Submit Comments / Ask Questions

If you have questions or comments on Cobb's "Intent to Opt-Out" of HB581, please click here to submit or email us at HB581@cobbcounty.org.

 

 

Emailed Questions

Questions submitted via email

To collect FLOST, do you have to have the floating homestead on the General Fund and Fire Fund?
No, the county needs to have a float on the general fund.

Can the School Board do their own 1% FLOST, and the county then have their own 1% FLOST?
No.  The schools have their own program for sales tax, but FLOST is not part of their sales tax program.  They would have to use ESPLOST.

HB581 Reference Information

Georgia Legislative information:

Georgia General Assembly HB581 Page

Georgia Legislative Flyer


Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG): 

ACCG Summary on HB581

ACCG Frequently Asked Questions on HB581 


Georgia Municipal Association (GMA):

Overview of House Bill 581

Legislation Summary


Sample Homestead Exemption / HB581 Calculation