Fulton County will mail estimated property tax bills to Sandy Springs homeowners Saturday, Aug. 15, after a Superior Court judge authorized the county to collect taxes before the 2026 Tax Digest is finalized.
Judge Shukura Ingram issued the temporary collection order Monday, Aug. 10, clearing the way for bills to go out on schedule despite delays in the county's property assessment process, according to a Fulton County announcement.
The bills carry an Oct. 15 due date for all Fulton County properties outside Atlanta.
Why the bill is estimated
The amounts are placeholders. Fulton County is using 2025 millage rates from all 18 taxing jurisdictions, including Sandy Springs, the county government and local school systems, because the 2026 rates have not been set.
The county's Board of Assessors has not yet processed what the county called "an unprecedented number of land packages," delaying submission of the 2026 Tax Digest to the Georgia Department of Revenue for certification. State law normally requires that certification before the Tax Commissioner can bill and collect, but the court order bypasses that requirement on an interim basis.
As we reported Aug. 6, the Board of Commissioners voted July 15 to authorize the County Attorney to petition for the temporary order under a state law that allows interim tax collection. Vice Chair Khadijah Abdur-Rahman made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Bridget Thorne.
Expect a second bill
Homeowners should not treat this bill as final. Once the Board of Assessors completes the 2026 Tax Digest and each jurisdiction sets its millage rate, the county will issue either a refund or a revised final bill. No timeline has been announced for when that second bill will arrive.
The county said in its Aug. 10 announcement that taxpayers will have the chance to weigh in during the millage rate-setting process for each jurisdiction before final rates are adopted.
Why the county couldn't wait
Property taxes fund Fulton County government, its two school systems and its cities. Without the ability to collect, the county said it would be unable to pay employees, maintain its credit rating or continue essential services, with similar effects on all other taxing jurisdictions that depend on the same revenue stream.
What to do
Sandy Springs homeowners should pay the estimated bill by Oct. 15 to avoid penalties. Residents with questions can contact the Fulton County Tax Commissioner's Office at 404-613-6100 or visit fultoncountytaxes.org. The office is at 141 Pryor St. SW, Atlanta, and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
