College Park, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; homestead exemption; remove income cap

College Park expands homeowners’ property tax exemption

The law makes removal of College Park’s homestead exemption income cap subject to voter approval. The exemption covers residents who are 65 or older or have a disability. It exempts the home’s full assessed value from city property taxes for municipal purposes, not all property taxes. The homeowner or an agent must apply to the city or its designee and provide age and other eligibility information. The city must provide application forms. The law requires a November 4, 2025, referendum, with notice in Fulton and Clayton counties’ official newspapers for two weeks beforehand. The income-cap removal takes effect January 1, 2026, only if more than half of votes cast favor it. Without approval, or without an election, the change does not take effect and the act automatically expires 365 days after the election date. The city pays election costs, and its election superintendent must certify results to the Secretary of State. Courts can order compliance, including an election on the required date or the next legally allowed special-election date.