Board of Assessors

You are hereby notified that properly identified representatives of the Chatham County Board of Assessors may enter upon your property during normal business hours for the purposes of collecting accurate data or verifications due to permits, business licenses issued, applications for preferential assessments, return of property value, revaluations, review of sales, audits, and review of appeals. Please contact our office if you have questions.

For a list of neighborhoods under review for the current/upcoming tax year Click Here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding the TY2026 Annual Notice of Assessment

• Filing an appeal of your annual Notice of Assessment while a 299C “freeze” (299C value protection) is active may result in the removal of the 299C “freeze” (299C value protection) on the property being appealed

Q: Why does my TY2026 Notice of Assessment look different from last year's? 

New legislation (Georgia SB 566) introduced a revised, state-wide notice format.  As a result, the layout and content of your annual notice have changed.  Among the modifications to the NOA required by this legislation are a) detailed information regarding exemptions, credits, and preferential assessment for properties; b) estimated tax savings calculated based on all applicable jurisdictions’ previous year millage rate; c) specific guidance information for the appeals process (including identification of specific point-of-contact rather than office address or general email account); d) description of changes to taxable assessed value; e) explicit reference to ‘fair market’ value; f) assertion of the ability to apply for homestead exemption during the 45-day appeal window; and g) directive to property owners to notify local tax officials of ineligibility for homestead exemption. You can find a guide to the new Notice of Assessment here:  TY26 Notice Guide.pdf

Q: I didn’t receive my Notice of Assessment.  How can I get a copy?

Visit chathamtax.org, use the “Property Records Search” to retrieve your property record, and click on the “Annual Assessment Notice” tab on the lefthand side of the page.  PDF versions for recent years are available to view, print, or download.

Q: What is the current homestead exemption application deadline?

You can now apply for homestead exemptions up until the annual notice of assessment 45-day appeal window expires.  Please note that online applications are taken up until April 1, and any application filed after that time must be submitted in person.

Q: I saw a warning that filing an appeal may remove the existing 299C “freeze” (299C value protection) on my property. What does that mean?

If your property already has 299C value protection and you file an appeal, the 299C freeze may be removed.  Your property value could then be increased or decreased as a result of the appeal process under Georgia law.

Q: How do I know if my property currently has a 299C “freeze” (299C value protection)?

Visit chathamtax.org, use the “Property Records Search” to retrieve your property record, and click on the “Value History” tab on the lefthand side of the page.  If your appraised value for tax year 2026 value shows a reason of “APPEAL DECISION,” then a 299C freeze is currently in place.

Q: I bought my home in December 2025 for much less than the current year fair market value shown on my Notice of Assessment.  Why isn't my home assessed at the purchase price?

Under recent legislation (HB 581 & HB 92), the sale price is no longer the maximum allowed value for the following tax year.  Your property may be assessed higher than your purchase price based on market trends and appraisal.

Q: I want to appeal to receive a 299C “freeze” of my current year fair market value, but I saw a warning that 299C protection only applies if the value is reduced upon appeal.  Do I have to attend a hearing just to receive the freeze even though I agree with my value?

Not necessarily.  If you aren’t already under 299C protection, we may be able to resolve your appeal through a value adjustment and waiver, which avoids a formal hearing and still secures the 3-year freeze if the value is reduced.

Q: I disagree with my current year fair market value and plan to file an appeal, but what if I can’t attend my appeal hearing?

You may request a one-time reschedule if the hearing date doesn't work for you.  However, to qualify for a 299C “freeze” (299C value protection) under the new laws, either you or your authorized representative must attend the hearing, and the appeal must successfully result in a reduction in value.