Chattooga County residents who missed Monday night’s meeting on property taxes and the assessment appeal process can now watch a recording of the program online.
Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is providing additional information about property tax exemption questions voters will see on the November ballot, including proposed changes affecting homeowners who are at least 70 years old on January 1, 2027.
Chattooga County residents who have questions about their property assessments, appeals or tax bills will have an opportunity to hear directly from county officials during a free property tax class Monday, August 31.
The class, “Understanding Property Taxes in Chattooga County,” will begin at 6 PM at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center, 33 Middle School Road in Summerville.
The goal is to give residents a clearer understanding of how property taxes work at the local level, including assessments, appeals, exemptions, tax relief, tax bills and how the county millage rate is established.
Sole Commissioner Andy Allen will open the class with an overview of the property tax process and explain the roles of the different elected county officials involved. Allen will also discuss how the millage rate process works.
Chattooga County Tax Assessor Nancy Edgeman will explain the property tax appeal process and the duties of the Tax Assessor’s Office.
Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton will cover how taxpayers can understand and estimate their tax bills, the different layers of property tax relief available in 2026 and property tax exemptions.
The class comes at a particularly important time for local property owners, with many Chattooga County residents questioning their latest property assessments and filing appeals.
The program is Monday, August 31, at 6 PM at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center in Summerville.
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.
Most Chattooga County homeowners should see lower property tax bills over the next two years as a result of state tax relief, local sales tax revenue and additional tax relief proposals, according to Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton.
Chattooga County property owners should soon begin receiving their 2026 Property Assessment Notices in the mail, but Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is reminding residents that the notices are not property tax bills.
Georgia motorists saved an estimated $188 million during a temporary suspension of the state’s motor fuel tax that ended June 2, according to newly released state revenue figures.
The tax relief measure, approved earlier this year by Governor Brian Kemp and state lawmakers, temporarily reduced the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel for consumers across Georgia. The suspension was intended to help offset higher fuel costs and provide financial relief to families and businesses.
State officials reported that fuel tax collections dropped significantly during the period the tax break was in effect, contributing to lower overall revenue from motor fuel taxes. Despite the decline in fuel tax collections, Georgia’s broader revenue picture remained stable due to strong collections from other tax sources.
The savings translated into lower prices at the pump for drivers statewide, with the average motorist paying several cents less per gallon during the suspension. State leaders have frequently used temporary fuel tax suspensions in recent years as a way to provide relief during periods of elevated fuel prices or economic uncertainty.
With the tax break now expired, Georgia’s full motor fuel tax rate has returned, meaning drivers are once again paying the standard state tax on gasoline and diesel purchases.
Supporters of the measure say it delivered meaningful savings to Georgia households, while critics note the temporary suspension also reduced transportation-related revenues that help fund road and infrastructure projects.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has expanded the agenda for the General Assembly’s upcoming special session, adding several items beyond the previously announced discussions on redistricting and election law changes.
Georgia drivers will get two additional weeks of relief at the gas pump after Governor Brian Kemp signed an executive order suspending the state’s motor fuel tax.
The Internal Revenue Service has announced federal tax relief for individuals and businesses impacted by wildfires and straight-line winds in Southeast Georgia beginning April 18, 2026. Affected taxpayers in Clinch, Echols, and Brantley counties now have until August 20, 2026, to file various federal tax returns and make tax payments.
The relief applies to tax deadlines that originally fell between April 18 and August 20, 2026. This includes individual income tax returns, quarterly payroll and excise tax returns, estimated tax payments, and several business-related filings. The IRS says penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due between April 18 and May 4 will also be waived if payments are made by May 4.
Taxpayers living or operating businesses outside the disaster area, but whose records are located in the impacted counties, may also qualify for relief by contacting the IRS Special Services hotline. The agency says additional counties could later be added to the disaster declaration area.
The IRS also reminded residents that qualified wildfire relief payments may be excluded from taxable income and that some retirement plan hardship withdrawals may qualify for special disaster-related tax treatment. Free tax preparation assistance remains available through programs such as VITA, TCE, AARP Tax-Aide, and IRS Free File.