Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is addressing concerns from property owners who are seeing higher or unexpected values on their assessment notices, while also explaining how upcoming tax relief measures and FLOST sales tax revenue will affect final tax bills.

Hampton said her office is still working to finalize figures that will eventually be presented to the county’s levying authorities as they consider possible millage rates. Once those numbers are available, her office will be able to begin providing estimated tax bill amounts based on the latest data.

She emphasized that the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant does not appear on property assessment notices because those notices deal with property values rather than final billing. The relief grant will be applied later in the tax billing process.

Hampton also said FLOST sales tax revenue collected from January through May 2026 will be applied to the county and city portions of tax bills in the exact amount received, with the savings reflected through a reduction in the millage rate.

Taxpayers should see those savings directly on their bills.

According to Hampton, the tax digest will not be approved for printing or issuing bills until documentation verifies that FLOST revenue has been properly applied for Chattooga County taxpayers. She noted that 2027 will be the first year in which a full year of FLOST collections will be applied.

Hampton also offered guidance for property owners considering an appeal of their assessed value.

She stressed that appeals are handled by the Chattooga County Board of Assessors and must focus on the assessed value of the property, not the eventual tax bill.

Property owners questioning their assessments are encouraged to ask whether they believe their property could realistically sell for the fair market value shown on the notice. Those who believe the value is too high may want to compare recent sales of similar properties or speak with local real estate professionals who are familiar with current market conditions.

Hampton encouraged residents with questions about valuations, exemptions or assessment calculations to contact the Assessors Office directly, saying staff can explain where the figures came from and what exemptions are being applied.

She also urged homeowners to carefully review the exemption section of their assessment notice.

Hampton said homeowners who own and occupy their primary residence should make sure applicable homestead exemptions are listed. She explained that having a homestead exemption this year will also automatically qualify the homeowner for the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant when the final bill is calculated.

Hampton said her office is continuing to work through preliminary figures while property assessment appeals are being processed and hopes to provide estimated tax amounts to taxpayers next week.

Residents with tax billing questions may contact the Chattooga County Tax Commissioner’s Office at 706-857-0703.

Questions concerning assessments, property values or exemptions should be directed to the Chattooga County Board of Assessors at 706-857-0737.