Clayton County officials briefed on HB 581, opt‑out deadline and revenue implications

Tax commissioner Danielle Smith and county chief appraiser Emmett George told the Clayton County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 14 that Georgia House Bill 581 is now in effect and that the county must decide by March 1 whether to opt out of the statewide floating homestead exemption.

"HB581 is in effect as of January 1, 2025," Tax Commissioner Danielle Smith told commissioners, summarizing the statute and the local decision point. She said the law requires changes to the county’s assessment notices and to wording on property tax bills; those changes will occur whether the county opts in or out.

The bill removes the prior requirement that assessment notices include an estimated dollar tax amount. Instead, Smith said, the notice will list an estimated rollback millage rate for each taxing jurisdiction such as county, school and fire districts. "That estimate of tax is now gone," she said, and the Department of Revenue has supplied required language that must appear on bills.

Chief Appraiser Emmett George told the board the notice change is likely to confuse some residents unless…