How Millage Rates Work in Georgia (And Why They Change)

Your Georgia tax bill isn't set by one rate — it's built from multiple millage rates, each controlled by a different local authority.

How Millage Rates Work in Georgia (And Why They Change) Your Georgia property tax bill isn't controlled by a single tax rate. It's actually built from multiple millage rates, each set by a different local authority — and understanding how millage rates in Georgia work is the key to understanding why your bill changes year to year, even when nobody voted for a tax increase. Most homeowners glance at their annual tax bill, wince, and move on. But buried in that number is a structure worth understanding — because one side of the equation is something you can challenge, and the other side isn't. What Does "Millage Rate" Mean in Georgia? A mill is one dollar of tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. The word comes from the Latin millesimum — one thousandth. So a millage rate of 35 mills means you pay $35 for every $1,000 of assessed value. But here's where Georgia adds a twist. Your home's assessed value isn't the same as its fair market value. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-7) fixes the assessment ratio at 40% of fair market value. If your home is worth $350,000 on the open market, your assessed value is $140,000. The basic formula looks like this: Fair Market Value × 40% × (Millage Rate ÷ 1,000) = Property Tax That 40% ratio is consistent across all 159 Georgia counties — it's one of the few things in the property tax system that doesn't vary by location. For a deeper look at how that ratio works, see our guide to Georgia's property tax assessment ratio. One more thing worth noting: Georgia eliminated its state-level property tax levy entirely on January 1, 2016. Every mill on your bill now comes from local taxing authorities. Who Sets Millage Rates — County, School…