Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens joined state Rep. Inga Willis, former state Sen. Jason Esteves, and members of the Atlanta Board of Education this week to urge residents to approve a homestead tax exemption benefiting seniors on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The proposal, known as Act 358, would exempt homeowners aged 65 and older from paying property taxes toward Atlanta Public Schools, offering financial relief amid rising living costs.
At a Tuesday news conference, Willis said the measure was designed to ease anxiety for residents and provide meaningful support for older Atlantans.
“We know that things are tough, we know that things are hard,” Willis said. “But for our seniors, who should be in the most comfortable and comforted moment in their lives, I believe that this is a step in the right direction. We are asking you to help us give our seniors relief.”
The exemption would allow qualifying seniors to claim $50,000 less in assessed value on their homesteads, saving them up to $1,000 annually in property taxes, according to city officials.
Esteves, who authored the original version of the legislation before leaving the state Senate to run for governor, said the measure would help prevent seniors from being driven into financial hardship. “Atlanta is an example of how we can stand up and support our seniors,” he said.
The mayor called the exemption a way to give back to residents who built Atlanta and now live on fixed incomes. “It would be unconscionable for them to lose what they’ve worked for,” Dickens said. “Atlanta voters recognize how important this is, and I’m confident they will join us in standing with our seniors.”
Tax relief fund goes citywide
The City of Atlanta, in partnership with Invest Atlanta, also recently announced the expansion of its Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Program (ADTRP) citywide, following a successful 2024 pilot program.
Launched as a strategic response to rising housing costs, the program accepted 105 people last year and saved legacy residents $41,405 in property tax increases in 2024 alone. This represents a commitment of over $2.1 million in tax increases to be paid over the 20-year period, according to a press release from Invest Atlanta.
Backed by a $10 million commitment from private resources, including the Centennial Yards Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the program provides tax relief for eligible homeowners by covering any increase in property taxes above a base-year amount for up to 20 years, provided the homeowner continues to qualify.
“Since most of the seniors in our program are on a fixed income, even a small increase in their 2025 property tax bill from appreciation can make it very difficult for them to make ends meet,” Invest Atlanta CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich said in a statement. “I am proud to report that by expanding Anti-Displacement Tax Relief citywide, we added 330 new residents to the program and have covered more than $30,000 in taxes this year to keep our legacy residents in their homes.
To learn more about the Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund Program and eligibility requirements, visit the Invest Atlanta Tax Relief Fund webpage.
The post Senior Tax Relief: Homestead exemption on ballot, tax relief fund expands in Atlanta appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.
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