You must have owned the property as of January 1. In some states, homestead exemptions are automatic and in others they must be declared in writing.Find an Application for Homestead Exemption on the Georgia Department of Revenue website. Douglas County has additional exemptions. The homestead can't exceed one acre in a city or 160 acres in a rural area. Application for Property Tax Exemption. To establish eligibility for property tax exemption, the claimant must sign and file an affidavit with the County. If you own and live in a house in Fulton County, you may qualify for homestead exemption. Additionally, the Georgia Constitution allows counties to enact local homestead exemptions. In Georgia, homeowners are able to receive a significant discount on property taxes if the home is their primary residence.