Bill > HB782

This bill establishes a property tax relief measure for homeowners in the Chatham County school district. The bill creates a homestead exemption that allows residents to be exempt from school district ad valorem (property) taxes for educational purposes on the amount by which their current year property value exceeds their base year property value. To qualify, homeowners must apply with the Chatham County tax commissioner and can include up to five contiguous acres of property. The exemption does not apply to improvements made after the base year or additional land added after January 1 of the base year. The exemption will be automatically renewed each year as long as the homeowner continues to occupy the property, and surviving spouses can also continue to receive the exemption. The bill requires a referendum in November 2025, where voters in the Chatham County school district will decide whether to approve the tax relief measure. If more than half of the votes cast are in favor, the exemption will take effect on January 1, 2026. The bill will only become law if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives, and it is designed to provide additional tax relief beyond existing homestead exemptions without affecting other types of property taxes.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71404