Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is reminding Chattooga County residents that voters approved two additional tax exemptions last year that aim to provide relief from rising property values and associated taxes.

House Bill 877 (HB877) and House Bill 581 (HB581), offer distinct ways for residents to manage their property tax liabilities effectively. HB877 introduces a “freeze” on the taxable value of a homeowner’s homestead and up to five acres of land for county purposes. This means that the assessed value used for taxation will remain static unless improvements are made to the property. While other structures and land values exceeding the five-acre limit may still increase with inflation, the frozen portion—used to calculate tax bills—will not fluctuate, providing homeowners with greater predictability in their finances. However, interested homeowners must submit an application to benefit from this freeze. Conversely, HB581 presents a floating homestead exemption, which allows for a flexible freeze on certain property values. This exemption adjusts in accordance with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), permitting the frozen portion of value to rise or fall with inflation, but only by the percentage change in CPI from the previous year. Unlike HB877, this exemption does not require an application; any homeowner currently benefiting from a homestead exemption in Chattooga County will automatically qualify for this floating freeze.

As both exemptions offer valuable options, homeowners face a crucial decision regarding which exemption best suits their needs. To determine the most beneficial choice for the county tax portion, residents must file an application for the HB877 exemption, as this will provide clarity on their tax situation. Homeowners are encouraged to take action to secure the best freeze exemption available. It’s important to note that while these exemptions freeze certain values used in tax calculations, they do not eliminate the tax bill altogether.

To apply for the HB877 exemption, homeowners should bring their driver’s license to the Assessor’s Office by April 1, 2025. Chattooga County residents can take advantage of these new measures to help mitigate the impacts of rising property taxes,