The deadline to file an appeal for property tax assessments was on Monday of this week and the Chattooga County Tax Assessor’s office has been flooded with taxpayers appeal forms.  The overwhelming number of tax appeals could mean that tax bills will go out later than normal this year.

Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton must wait until the tax appeal process is nearly complete before the county tax digest can be approved by state officials.  Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry and the Chattooga Board of Education must then set the millage rate.  After that, tax bills can be sent out, but it takes around two weeks to get those bills printed.  Then, Georgia law requires the county to give tax payers sixty days from the date the tax bills are mailed before those taxes are due.

The process could push the tax date close to Christmas – or after, depending on how fast around 2,000 tax appeals can be dealt with.

The company the county hired to help with tax appraisals – GMASS – is expected to be meeting with tax assessors next week.