Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is offering additional information to help voters understand proposed tax exemptions that will appear on the November ballot.

Hampton described a tax exemption as being similar to a coupon — it provides a savings that reduces what an eligible taxpayer would otherwise owe.

The ballot questions involve proposed changes affecting senior taxpayers, including those over age 70. According to Hampton, both the county school system and county proposals would expand eligibility, allowing more senior citizens to potentially qualify for tax relief.

The Chattooga County School System is proposing a larger exemption for everyone who qualifies, Hampton explained.

The county proposal would establish an exemption designed to be easier to understand. Hampton said the amount of savings would remain the same for some qualifying taxpayers while increasing for others.

One concern when expanding property tax exemptions is whether the lost revenue could result in a greater tax burden being placed on property owners who do not qualify for the exemptions.

Hampton said the proposed changes were calculated in smaller steps with that concern in mind.

“These changes were figured in small steps to avoid shifting the difference to the taxpayers who don’t qualify,” Hampton said.

The proposals will ultimately be decided by voters when they consider the exemption questions on the November ballot.

Hampton’s explanation is part of an effort to provide voters with more information about what the proposed exemptions would mean and how they could affect qualifying senior taxpayers as well as those who do not qualify.