top of page
Invest Atlanta Logo_edited_edited.png

Invest Atlanta Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund Program

Learn About the Program

The City of Atlanta, in partnership with Invest Atlanta, launched the Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund Program to help protect legacy homeowners from rising property taxes. Funded by private resources, including a $14 million allocation from the Centennial Yards Housing Trust Fund, the program supports equitable growth by covering property tax increases above a base amount for qualifying homeowners.

​

The program launched as a pilot in 2024 within a defined footprint. New applications will not open this 2026 year; however, homeowners who previously applied and were not selected through random selection may have their applications re-reviewed and may receive notifications, accordingly.

​

Homeowners currently enrolled in the program must recertify annually to remain eligible and will also receive notifications with instructions to do so.

Akimbo Card Front (18).png
Couple.png

What the Program Provides

  • Covers property tax increases above the original base year amount for approved homeowners

  • Provides long-term tax relief for up to 20 years for qualifying participants

  • Supports legacy homeowners facing rising property taxes due to neighborhood growth

  • Requires annual recertification to continue receiving benefits

How the Program Works

Step 1: New applications are not open this 2026 year.
Step 2: Homeowners who are already in the program will receive a message letting them know it is time to recertify.
Step 3: Recertification is easy. Homeowners only need to answer four short questions to confirm they are still eligible. This can be done over the phone or by logging back into their application.
Step 4: Homeowners who applied in the past but were not selected may have their application looked at again this year.
Step 5: The program team reviews the information to make sure eligibility requirements are still met.
Step 6: Homeowners will be notified about their status and any next steps.

Program.png

Eligibility Requirements

An eligible applicant must:

  • Be a City of Atlanta resident since 2015;

  • Be aged 60 or older;

  • Have proof of Ownership;

  • Have a household income of 60% AMI or below;

  • Be actively enrolled in qualifying homestead exemption programs; and

  • Have no negative encumbrances attached to the property.

  • Have no open property tax appeal

Household Income Limits

Area Median Income (AMI)
Eligibility is based on household size and income level.

Screenshot 2026-03-16 150527.png

What Payment Looks Like

1. Base Year Comparison
Your most recent tax bill is compared to your base year amount, not the previous year. Your base year is fixed once you are approved.
Example: If approved in 2025, your base year is your 2024 tax bill.

2. How the Credit Works
If your tax bill increases, the difference is applied as a tax credit directly to your bill, managed by Fulton & DeKalb County.
No funds are paid directly to applicants.

3. If Your Taxes Do Not Increase
If there is no increase in your tax bill, no credit is applied. However, you remain in the program as long as you complete annual recertification, even if the credit is $0 for several years.

Reminder
If you file a property tax appeal after approval, your application will be denied.

Screenshot 2026-03-10 100343.png

Required Documentation

 The following documents are used to confirm eligibility.

  • Please provide one of the following documents: 

    • State ID

    • Passport

    • Drivers License

    • Military ID

  • If you are employed, please provide one of the following documents:

    • Most recent two consecutive paystubs

    • SSI documentation

    • Pension letter

    • Government benefits letter

    • 2025 Tax return with Schedule C for self-employed.

    ​​

    Any document being submitted must be issued within the last 60 days in order to be valid. 

  • Please provide one of the following documents:

    • Recent Utility Bill 

    • Mortgage Statement

    • 2025 Tax assessment notice

    • Official government or city correspondence addressed to the applicant

    ​​

    Any document being submitted must be issued within the last 60 days in order to be valid. 

Frequently Asked Questions

General Program Questions

  • For 2026, the program will use applications submitted in previous rounds, and there will be no new open application period. Applications processed this year will include those already approved that are undergoing recertification, as well as applications that were not previously selected and will now be re-reviewed.

  • You will need to recertify your application. You will receive a phone call from FORWARD as well as an email reporting your recertification for the Invest Atlanta Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund Program is due.

  • No. Your previously submitted application will be re-reviewed and may still be considered for approval. During this process, FORWARD will contact you if updated residency or income documentation is required.

  • If approved, the program compares your base year tax amount to your most recent tax bill. If your taxes have increased, the difference is applied as a tax credit to your bill and is managed directly by your county.

  • The City of Atlanta website allows you to easily look up detailed property information. Depending on which county you reside. You should contact your Tax Commissioner or Tax Assessor’s Office. Information regarding your property tax is also available online. Click HERE for Fulton County. Click HERE for DeKalb County.

  • All real estate tax appeals must be resolved to qualify for this relief program.

  • An open appeal will disqualify you from this program. All real estate tax appeals must be resolved to qualify for this program. 

  • No, the tax credit is not taxable.

  • Your household must meet the 60% or below Area Median Income (AMI) threshold. To see if you are under the 60% AMI, please visit www.investatlanta.com/taxrelief.

  • Some forms of income verification include:

    -W2s​
    -Paystubs​
    -Social Security Income documentation or similar​
    -Government benefits letter (i.e SNAP or SSI)

  • Some forms of residency documentation include:

    -Deeds, mortgage statements, property tax statements, settlement statements, etc

    ​​

  • Denial of applications can result from:
       - Altered or Forged Documentation
       - Untrue or Misleading Information
       - Duplicate Application
       - Applicant is Unresponsive
       - Incomplete Documentation
       - Applicant Withdrew application
       - Application was not selected in the random selection
       - Funds depleted/Program Ended
       - Applicants do not meet eligibility requirements

How the Process Works

    • Step 1: Existing applications are re-reviewed OR re-certified 

    • Step 2: Applicants provide necessary information

    • Step 3: Eligibility is determined 

    • Step 4: Award amount is determined and shared with counties

    • Step 5: Tax credit is awarded directly on bill

  • No new applications are being accepted in 2026. Existing applications are being reviewed for eligibility and accuracy, which may include follow-up from FORWARD to request additional information.

    ​

    FORWARD will reach out to applicants being re-reviewed and to applicants being re-certified. 

Need help with your application?
We’re here to support you.

Application support is available if you have questions, need help uploading documents, or run into technical issues along the way.
 
This program is supported by FORWARD, which helps manage the application process and applicant support in partnership with the program administrator.
​
Need help over the phone? Call 1-855-582-3973. 
Couple.jpg

© Invest Atlanta powered by FORWARD

bottom of page