Tunnel Hill, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide new homestead exemption

City tax break for Tunnel Hill seniors

The law creates a $325,000 assessed-value homestead exemption for Tunnel Hill residents age 70 or older, subject to voter approval. It lowers city property taxes for municipal purposes; any assessed value above $325,000 remains taxable. It does not lower state, county, school district, or city bond repayment taxes. It replaces, rather than adds to, other city homestead exemptions. The home must qualify as a homestead under Georgia law. Owners or their agents must apply to the city governing authority or its designee. The city supplies forms and checks initial and continuing eligibility. After the first application, the exemption renews automatically while the owner occupies the home as a homestead. Recipients must notify the city when they become ineligible. A surviving spouse can keep the exemption while occupying the home as a residence and homestead. The law requires a referendum during the November 2025 municipal general election. More than half the votes cast must favor approval. Approval starts the exemption January 1, 2026, for that tax year and later years. Without approval, or without the required election, the exemption section does not take effect and is repealed January 1, 2026. The city pays election costs and must publish the election date and purpose for two consecutive weeks. Any voter can seek a court order compelling the election if the election superintendent fails to comply. The court must ensure an election by the required date or the next legally allowed special-election date.