Johns Creek homeowners owe Fulton County property taxes by Thursday, Oct. 15, even though this year's bills are labeled "temporary."
The Fulton County Tax Commissioner's Office mailed all 2026 property tax bills on Aug. 15. The bills are based on preliminary 2026 property values and 2025 millage rates, after Superior Court Judge Shukura Ingram authorized temporary billing on Aug. 4. A backlog of 292 unprocessed land packages delayed the final countywide tax digest, Appen Media reported.
The temporary label does not defer the deadline. The full amount on the bill is due Oct. 15.
Once the final digest is complete and each taxing jurisdiction sets its 2026 millage rate, the county will recalculate. Homeowners who overpaid will receive a refund with interest. Those who owe more will get a revised bill.
Where Johns Creek rates stand
Johns Creek adopted a tentative 2026 municipal millage rate of 3.492 mills in July. That rate is 0.195 mills above the state-calculated rollback rate of 3.297 mills, which state law requires to be advertised as a 5.91% tax increase, according to the North Atlanta Star. The city's estimated taxable-property digest grew from roughly $8.87 billion to $9.06 billion.
Fulton County Schools proposed an increased millage rate of 18.08 mills for 2026, according to Appen Media. Final adoption of the school rate has not been confirmed.
Penalties for late payment
Interest begins accruing the day after the Oct. 15 deadline. A 5% penalty kicks in on the 120th day past due. Another 5% is added every 120 days after that, up to a maximum of 20%.
The Tax Commissioner's Office accepts partial payments, but interest accrues on any unpaid balance until it is paid in full. An unpaid balance can eventually produce a lien on the property.
Verify your payment, even with escrow
Homeowners who pay taxes through a mortgage escrow account should not assume the servicer handled it. Counties share tax information with mortgage companies but do not guarantee a lender will retrieve the bill and pay it correctly, the North Atlanta Star reported.
A servicing transfer, new loan or recently closed purchase can create confusion over which company is responsible. The safest check: look for an escrow withdrawal on the mortgage account, then confirm the balance is paid at the Fulton County tax portal.
Bought or sold a home this year?
Tax bills are tied to whoever owned the property on Jan. 1, even if the home changed hands later. Buyers and sellers usually split the expected taxes at closing, but the county still expects one complete payment by the deadline.
How to pay and who to call
Payments can be made at the Fulton County tax website, by phone at 404-613-6100, or in person at the Fulton County Government Center, 141 Pryor St. SW in Atlanta.
Homeowners who have not received a bill by Tuesday, Sept. 15 should call the Tax Commissioner's Office at 404-613-6100. Not receiving a bill does not remove the obligation to pay.
