Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is providing additional information about property tax exemption questions voters will see on the November ballot, including proposed changes affecting homeowners who are at least 70 years old on January 1, 2027. For Chattooga County taxes, a “yes” vote would increase the income limit for the senior exemption from $20,000 to $38,000 for the applicant and spouse. Those who qualify would receive an exemption of $70,000 from the assessed value of their homestead property. Because Georgia generally assesses property for taxation at 40% of fair market value, Hampton says that exemption is equivalent to $175,000 in fair market value, regardless of acreage or additional buildings. The existing county senior exemption uses a sliding scale providing a 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% or 100% exemption on the home and five acres, depending on income. Voters will also consider a change involving Chattooga County school taxes. Under that proposal, the maximum income for qualifying seniors would increase from $20,000 household income to $38,000 for the applicant and spouse. Those who qualify would receive an exemption of $41,150 in assessed value in 2027, increasing to $55,000 in subsequent years. Hampton says that represents approximately $102,875 in fair market value in 2027 and $137,500 thereafter. The current school exemption provides qualifying homeowners with a $40,000 exemption from assessed value. Hampton said the proposals were developed after…
*This content (including text, artwork, graphics, photography, and video) was provided by the third party(ies) as referenced above. Any rights or other content questions or inquiries should be directed to such third-party provider(s).
