The Chattooga County Tax Assessor’s Office has announced that the tax books are now open for the return of 2026 state and county taxes, with property owners required to make their return on or before April 1, 2026.

Georgia law requires property owners to make a return on all real estate and personal property, including boats, motors, equipment, inventories, mobile homes, and airplanes. All returns must be filed with the Chattooga County Assessor’s Office, located in the courthouse annex at 120 Cox Street, Suite A in Summerville. Property owners who have made changes to their property, such as new construction or additions, must report those changes to the assessor’s office by the April 1 deadline.

Property owners may also apply for several homestead and property tax exemptions during the same period from January 1 through April 1. These include the regular homestead exemption, exemptions for homeowners age 62, 65, and 70, school tax exemptions, disabled veteran exemptions, conservation use or agricultural land exemptions, and a county homestead freeze. Applications for exemptions must be submitted to the Chattooga County Assessor’s Office.

Officials remind residents that applications are required to receive exemptions and that some exemptions have income and age qualifications.