National
07/12/2026 · Taliaferro & Warren Region
Mangione Faces Court Hearing as Legal Defense Takes Shape
Luigi Mangione appeared in court this week as his legal team prepared defense arguments in the case involving the death of a health insurance company executive. Legal analysts identified psychiatric defense as a potential strategy in the state-level prosecution.
U.S. and Iran Agree to Extend Ceasefire and Reopen Strait of Hormuz
The United States and Iran have reached a deal to extend their ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to reporting from multiple news organizations. The agreement halts ongoing military operations between the two countries and restores a critical shipping corridor.
07/12/2026
Fire breaks out at Kyiv monastery following overnight attack
A fire broke out at the Kyiv Perchersk Lavra monastery early Wednesday following an overnight barrage of missiles and drones targeting Ukraine's capital. The monastery, founded in 1051, is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
07/12/2026
Supreme Court Removes Evidence Standard for Green Card Reentry Denials
The Supreme Court sided with the federal government in a case involving Muk Choi Lau, a Chinese permanent resident charged with trademark counterfeiting. The decision eliminates a judicial requirement that immigration officers have strong evidence of criminal conduct before denying reentry to green card holders.
07/12/2026
Supreme Court Says Tax Sale Price Sets Compensation for Home Seizures
The Supreme Court ruled that when a county seizes and sells a home for unpaid taxes, the owner is entitled only to the surplus from that tax sale price—not the property's later market value. The court sent the case back to determine if the county's procedures were fair.
07/12/2026
Analysts Expect Price Increases to Persist Beyond Iran Conflict
Fighting in the region has disrupted supplies of fuel, fertilizer, food and other goods, prompting analysts to predict that elevated prices will outlast the current conflict.
07/12/2026
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State of Emergency Declared Ahead of Hurricane Isaias Prepare for severe weather and follow official updates. How-To Guides Our guides take you step-by-step through common processes in Georgia. All Guides Tileset - top Access Public Information Assistance and Benefits Programs Children and Parenting Courts and Corrections Driving, Vehicles, and Licensing Education and Teaching Moving to Georgia Owning Property All Guides Tileset Recreation and Licensing Running a Business Starting a Business Taxes & Refunds Working and Professional Licensing Voting, Elections, and Government Your Personal Records
Apply for a Homestead Exemption
Apply for a Homestead Exemption | Georgia.gov Skip to main content State of Emergency Declared Ahead of Hurricane Isaias Prepare for severe weather and follow official updates. A homestead exemption can give you tax breaks on what you pay in property taxes. A homestead exemption reduces the amount of property taxes homeowners owe on their legal residence. You must file with the county or city where your home is located. Each county has different applications and required documents. Various types of homestead exemptions are available, including those based on assessed home value and homeowner age. For a full list of exemption categories, visit the Georgia Department of Revenue's homestead exemptions webpage. Homestead exemption applications are due by April 1 for the current tax year. Determine if You’re Eligible To be eligible for a homestead exemption: You must have owned the property as of January 1. The home must be considered your legal residence for all purposes. You must occupy the home. You cannot already claim a homestead exemption for another property in Georgia or in any other state. Gather What You’ll Need Required documents vary by county or city. If you are applying for a special exemption, additional documentation to show proof of eligibility will be required. They can include: Homeowner’s name Property address Property’s parcel ID Proof of residency, such as a copy of valid Georgia driver’s license and a copy of vehicle registration Recorded deed for new owners, if county records have not been updated Trust document and affidavit, if the property is in a trust File Your Homestead Exemption You must file your homestead exemption application with your county tax officials. Please contact your county tax officials for how to file your homestead exemption application. Next Steps Once approved, most homestead exemptions are automatically renewed each year as long as you continually occupy the home under the same ownership. Last updated April 2026
Apply for the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program
Apply for the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program | Georgia.gov Skip to main content State of Emergency Declared Ahead of Hurricane Isaias Prepare for severe weather and follow official updates. The Georgia Dream Homeownership Program provides affordable mortgage financing for eligible homebuyers. The Georgia Dream Homeownership Program makes purchasing a home possible for eligible residents. Georgia Dream provides affordable financing options, down payment and closing cost assistance, and homebuyer education. Active military members, public protectors, educators, healthcare providers, and residents with family members living with a disability qualify for special down payment loan options. Determine if You’re Eligible To qualify for the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program, you must: Be a first-time homebuyer, have not owned a home in the past three years, or be purchasing a home in certain areas of Georgia. Not have a household income that exceeds the maximum household income (visit the Georgia Department of Community Affairs website for income limits). Have liquid assets of no more than $20,000 or 20% of the sales price (whichever is greater). Meet mortgage loan credit requirements. Be purchasing a home with a sales price that does not exceed the limit (varies by county). Visit the Georgia Department of Community Affairs website for more eligibility details. Gather What You’ll Need Qualifying for a mortgage through the Georgia Dream program requires certain documentation. Please work closely with your lender to collect and fill out all the required forms and paperwork. Required documents include: Most recent 3 consecutive years IRS transcripts Most recent signed complete personal tax returns A copy of lender’s Delegated Underwriter’s Transmittal signed 92900LT form with comments stating his/her review of the application Credit report Fraud report A signed Application Affidavit form (required by Georgia Dream) Signed letter of explanation addressing all prior addresses and no prior homeownership or a copy of the no-record results to the IRS request for the prior 3 years 1098 transcripts A minimum of $1,000 to put toward your home purchase Get Qualified Contact a Georgia Dream Participating Lender to pre-qualify and begin the mortgage loan process. Visit the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) website for a list of participating lenders or call DCA at 1-800-359-HOME (4663) to get started. Next Steps Once you are pre-qualified, you can begin your home search process. Homebuyer counseling is required for all Georgia Dream loans. Georgia Dream borrowers must attend and complete either a homebuyer education workshop, an individual housing counseling session, or an online homebuyer education course through E-Home America. The average Georgia Dream process takes about 60 days from application to closing. Last updated April 2026 Visit 60 Executive Park South NE Atlanta, GA 30329 Primary (404) 679-4840 HCV Helpline (470) 802-4707 Facebook page for Department of Community Affairs X page for Department of Community Affairs LinkedIn page for Department of Community Affairs Instagram page for Department of Community Affairs Youtube page for Department of Community Affairs More Resources Related Services Find Available Rental Housing Apply for Housing Choice Voucher Program Related Links Georgia Dream Homeownership Program Did you find what you were looking for on this page? Extra feedback Send feedback
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