Chatham County; school district ad valorem tax; homestead exemption; provisions

Chatham homeowners get new school-tax application rules

Chatham County homeowners must apply to the county tax commissioner or a designee, unless they qualify automatically. The commissioner supplies forms that request information to check initial and ongoing eligibility. Automatic eligibility covers homeowners who, as of December 31, 2026, have applied for and qualify for the prior adjusted base-year exemption from Chatham County and City of Savannah school taxes. These homeowners qualify for this law’s exemption without another application. The exemption still covers the amount by which the home’s current assessed value exceeds its base-year assessed value.