Richmond County property taxes: rates, due dates and appeals

Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. Facts on this page come from the Richmond County Tax Commissioner, the Board of Assessors and the Augusta, Georgia government.

Augusta and Richmond County are one consolidated government, so a single property tax bill covers city-county services and the Richmond County School System. 2026 bills are due Nov. 30, 2026. The Tax Commissioner’s office mails the bills and collects the money; the Board of Assessors sets the value; the Augusta Commission and the Board of Education set the rates.

Who to call

• Bills, payments, homestead exemptions: Richmond County Tax Commissioner, 706-821-2391, 535 Telfair St., Suite 100, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
• Your property’s value and appeals: Board of Tax Assessors, 706-821-2310, 535 Telfair St., Suite 120
• Pay or look up a bill: online tax search and payment

Due dates and penalties

From the Tax Commissioner’s deadlines page:

If your mortgage company pays from escrow, the office sends it the bill information, but it says the owner is still responsible for making sure the tax is paid. Bills are generally mailed in August or September, according to the Board of Assessors’ FAQ.

2026 tax rates

Your rate depends on which of four tax districts the property sits in. These are the total net rates for 2026, county and school combined, from the Tax Commissioner’s millage page:

On Sept. 18, 2026, the Augusta Commission adopted the calculated rollback rates for its general fund, urban services districts, capital outlay, fire protection and the Blythe fire district. The city says every 2026 Augusta rate is lower than in 2025; the countywide general fund rate fell from 6.277 to 6.193 mills. A bill can still go up or down with the property’s value, exemptions, improvements and tax district.

A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value, and in Georgia the assessed value is 40% of fair market value, under state law. A home valued at $250,000 is assessed at $100,000; at the urban rate of 28.284 mills that is $2,828.40 before any exemption or the solid waste fee.

Homestead exemptions

If you own and live in your home on Jan. 1, you can claim a homestead exemption. The deadline is April 1, and once granted it renews automatically while you keep living there, according to the Tax Commissioner’s homestead page. You need to reapply after a change in ownership or the names on the deed. Refinancing does not affect it. All vehicles owned by you and your spouse must be registered in Richmond County.

Tax year 2026 is the first year homeowners see the local floating homestead exemption that Augusta voters approved in 2025, the city said in its millage announcement.

The main exemptions, from the office’s exemption summary:

• Regular (S1): $5,000 off assessed value for county and $5,000 for school. No age or income limit.
• Full school exemption (H2A): 65 or older on Jan. 1; $5,000 off county and no school tax. No income limit.
• Low-income senior (S3, S4): 62 or 65 and older with household net income no more than $10,000.
• Disability (H10, H5A): totally and permanently disabled, with physician letters.
• 100% disabled veteran (S5): $126,526 off assessed value on county and school taxes, with a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Apply in person at 535 Telfair St., Suite 100, or by mail to P.O. Box 1427, Augusta, GA 30903, using the homestead application (PDF). Senior and other special exemptions must be filed in person or by mail with the documents listed. A homestead exemption does not cover the solid waste or streetlight fees.

How to appeal your value

Every owner gets an annual assessment notice. If you think the value is wrong, you have 45 days from the date on the notice to appeal in writing, in person, by email or online through the assessor’s property search, according to the Board of Assessors’ FAQ. The city’s appeal process chart (PDF) lays out the steps. A homestead application can be filed with, or instead of, an appeal during that 45-day window.

The Board of Assessors meets the second Monday of each month at 4 p.m. in the Municipal Building, with agendas posted the Friday before.

What this means for you

• Pay by Nov. 30. The office lists Dec. 18 as the last day before penalty and interest.
• Your rate depends on your tax district; the urban district pays the most.
• If you bought a home this year, file for homestead by April 1, 2027.
• Watch for next year’s assessment notice; the 45-day appeal clock starts on its date.

Related: trash and recycling (the solid waste fee is on this bill) and who to call at City Hall.

Frequently asked questions

When are Richmond County property taxes due?

2026 property taxes are due Nov. 30, 2026. The Tax Commissioner lists Dec. 18 as the last day to pay without penalty or interest, with a one-time 10% penalty added Dec. 21.

What is the property tax rate in Augusta?

The 2026 net rate in the urban tax district (district 001) is 28.284 mills, county and school combined. The suburban district with fire service is 26.28 mills.

How do I appeal my property assessment in Richmond County?

File in writing with the Board of Assessors within 45 days of the date on your assessment notice, in person, by email or online through the assessor’s property search. Questions: 706-821-2310.

When is the homestead exemption deadline in Richmond County?

April 1. File with the Tax Commissioner at 535 Telfair St., Suite 100, or by mail; once granted, the exemption renews automatically while you live in the home.

Did Augusta raise property taxes in 2026?

No. On Sept. 18, 2026, the Augusta Commission adopted the rollback rates, so every 2026 Augusta millage rate is lower than 2025. A bill can still rise if the assessed value goes up.