Bill > SB235

This bill creates a new homestead tax exemption for residents of the Whitfield County school district that will reduce their property tax burden. Specifically, homeowners will receive an exemption equal to the difference between their current year property assessment and their adjusted base year property assessment, which accounts for inflation and substantial property changes. To qualify, homeowners must file an initial application with the Whitfield County tax commissioner, after which the exemption will be automatically renewed each year as long as they continue to occupy the property. The exemption will first be available for the 2026 tax year and will only take effect if approved by a majority vote in a referendum election to be held in November 2025. The tax exemption applies only to Whitfield County school district educational ad valorem taxes and cannot be combined with certain other base year value homestead exemptions. The bill requires a two-thirds majority vote in the Georgia legislature to become law and provides detailed provisions for how the inflation rate will be calculated and how the exemption will be administered. If the referendum passes, the exemption will become effective on January 1, 2026, and if it fails, the bill will be automatically repealed.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70651