Joy Hampton, the Tax Commissioner of Chattooga County, has shared the tax collection results for 2024, showing important financial data. In that year, the Tax Commissioner’s Office handled 28,448 payments and collected a total of $20,015,099. 30 from property taxes, interest, and fees. This amount includes $118,596. 04 collected for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTS), which supports local government services.

By the year’s end, real property tax collections reached 77. 5%, but there are still outstanding balances due to ongoing appeals. The amounts owed include $1,590,729. 18 to the Chattooga County Commissioner, $1,756,866. 77 to Chattooga County Schools, $273. 71 to the Town of Lyerly, and $89. 56 to the City of Menlo. By January 31, 2025, collections increased to 84. 96%, with $881,786. 62 owed to the Chattooga County Commissioner and $984,462. 94 to Chattooga County Schools. No amounts are owed to Lyerly or Menlo, showing effective tax collection.

In 2024, 115 tax sales were initiated; 101 taxpayers paid or set up payment plans while 15 properties were sold.

A significant development in 2024 was the continued popularity of the prepay program, established in 2018 through SB216, which allows taxpayers to prepay towards their tax bills. This year, 69 parcels participated in this initiative, accumulating a total of $24,595.56 held in escrow and paid out promptly when tax bills became active.

You can see the complete report from Tax Commissioner Hampton here: 2024Annual Report (8.4 x 10.9 in) (PDF Viewer Required)