Eye-Opening Property Tax Exemptions Explained During December 5 “Aging in Placers” Event

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Staff from the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office delivered an eye-opening tax presentation hosted by Commissioner Terry’s Aging in Placers* on December 5, 2025.

The Tax Commissioner’s Office staff explained, line by line, the “DeKalb County Real Estate Tax Statement” (Property Tax Bill) and how Homestead Exemptions can provide significant savings on annual property taxes.

Applicants must own and reside at the property within the County, and the Basic Homestead Exemption is required before applying for Special Exemptions.

The 2026 Homestead Exemption Information** sheet provides more details. Please read every word on both sides of the sheet, including the asterisk (*) note at the end. Then make sure you have the Basic Homestead Exemption and all Special Exemptions for which you qualify. If you have questions, email, call, or make an appointment to go to the tax office and talk to a staff member to determine which exemptions apply and help you complete the application for those tax reductions. 

The Deadline to apply for exemptions is April 1st for the current tax year. Applications received after the deadline will be applied to the following year. Applications are accepted year-round in person, by mail, and by dropbox for basic and special exemptions. This includes exemptions for disabled veterans, disabled residents, and seniors ages 62 and older. Online applications can be submitted from January 1 to April 1. For eligibility requirements, required documents, city-related taxes, and more, visit the Tax Office website. 

Schedule an Appointment: https://dekalbtax.org/make-an-appointment/

Contact the Tax Commissioner’s Office:

*Aging in Placers is an initiative of Commissioner Ted Terry, DeKalb County Super District 6.

** Please note: this blog was originally posted with the 2025 Homestead Exemption Information Sheet. This has been updated as of 1/6/2026 to the 2026 Homestead Exemption Information Sheet as the 2025 is no longer available online. If you are viewing this after 2026, we recommend reaching out to the Tax Commissioner’s Office for the most up to date information.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Passes Resolution to Establish the Environmental Justice and Sustainability Resident Review Group

Recognizing the importance of equitable protection for the environment and residential health while giving community members a seat at the table to further environmental justice in DeKalb County.

*media interviews available*

DEKALB COUNTY – On December 16, 2025, The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution establishing an Environmental Justice and Sustainability Resident Review Group. The stated mission of the advisory group is to provide professional and resident advice to the Board of Commissioners for their use in policy decisions involving issues of sustainability, green jobs, energy initiatives and environmental justice as well as monitor the progress and make recommendations towards current environmental efforts such as the County’s 100% Clean Energy and Transportation Transition Plan. The resolution, introduced by Super District 6 Commissioner, Ted Terry, comes amid growing concerns by residents about the proliferation of data centers and their impact on the environment and public health.

“Today, environmental justice topics manifest in the form of data centers, energy burden, and pollution,” said Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry. “If we are to prioritize environmental justice and a clean energy transition, we must do so with the input of those who are directly affected and relevant professionals who can provide vital data to inform policy decisions. We cannot advocate for the community that we serve without centering community voice.”

The resolution charges the Review Group with an annual report, which would include a review of statutes, rules and policies related to DeKalb County’s siting and land use decisions, with a focus on sites which would pose a threat to human health. The report would also include a review and recommendation of potential policies and operating procedures that would highlight considerations of environmental equality, environmental justice, and protection of high-risk areas.

More details about the resolution can be found here.

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ABOUT DeKalb County Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry:

In 2020, Commissioner Ted Terry was elected to serve as the Super District 6 Commissioner of DeKalb County. His district includes half of the County with portions of South, Central, and North DeKalb, totaling approximately 350,000 residents. He successfully was reelected and began his second term in January 2025.

Commissioner Terry’s policy priorities include the DeKalb Green New Deal and former President Biden’s Justice 40 initiatives, affordable housing, transit equity, protecting voting rights for DeKalb residents, and criminal justice reform. Commissioner Terry serves as the Chair of Finance and Budget (FAB) and is a member of the Planning, Economic Development and Community Service (PECS) committee. He previously served as the Chair of the Employee Relations and Public Safety committee (ERPS) and Chair of the Operations Committee (OPS) and as a member of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWI).

The Commissioner also serves as a member of the National Association of Counties (NACo) as a member of the Healthy Counties Advisory Board, International Economic Development Task Force, Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Member, Resilient Counties Advisory Board Member, and Environment, Energy, and Land Use (EELU) Policy Steering Committee. Locally serves on theGeorgia Council for International Visitors Board of Trustees.

Prior to his election, Commissioner Terry served as the Mayor of the most ethnically diverse square mile in America: Clarkston, Georgia from January 2014 – March 2020, where he was the youngest Mayor in Clarkston’s 135-year history.

He resides in DeKalb County with his wife Andrea and 4-legged fur-babies.

To learn more about Commissioner Terry, his platforms and how to stay up to date on the latest from his office, visit www.commissionertedterry.com.

Follow the Commissioner on social media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn