Chattooga County property owners should be on the lookout for their 2025 property assessment notices, which were mailed on Monday, June 30, 2025. With these notices comes a crucial 45-day window for review and appeal, with the deadline set for August 14, 2025.

Adding to the importance of this period, the Chattooga County Assessor’s Office is strongly encouraging all eligible homeowners to apply for the homestead exemption during this appeal period, thanks to recent changes in state law.

A significant update for taxpayers stems from House Bill 92, which has revised multiple provisions of House Bill 581 (2024). This legislation created a statewide floating homestead exemption, fundamentally altering how and when homeowners can apply for this valuable tax relief.

Previously, the traditional deadline for homestead exemption applications was a strict April 1st. Under the new revisions, taxpayers now have an extended opportunity: they may apply for the homestead exemption up to the end of their 45-day window to appeal their notice of assessment. This provides a more flexible and extended period for eligible homeowners to secure their exemption.

However, property owners should also be aware of new stipulations regarding the exemption’s applicability:

• The State/Local homestead exemption is now applicable to only the house and up to five acres of land.
• For properties enrolled in Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) or the Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA), the exemption is limited to two acres.

These legislative changes became effective on April 1, 2025, and are applicable to taxable years beginning on or after 2025.

The Chattooga County Board of Assessors emphasizes the importance of reviewing assessment notices promptly and taking advantage of the extended homestead exemption application window. For any questions regarding assessments or the homestead exemption application process, property owners are encouraged to contact the Assessor’s Office directly at 706-857-0737.