BREAKING NEWS FOR CHATHAM COUNTY HOMEOWNERS

Your 2025 Property Tax Notice Is Here and It's Missing Some Key Info

Before you panic or ignore it altogether, let’s walk through what this notice really means, what’s missing from it, and what you can still do to protect your wallet.

STEP 1: SEE THE DIFFERENCE FOR YOURSELF

Chatham County Tax Assessment Notices: 2024 vs. 2025

My property taxes at my house jumped over 30% in value this year—but strangely, my 2025 notice is missing most of the estimated taxes.

Why?

Here’s what happened: Under Georgia law, each taxing authority (County, Schools, Transit, etc.) must submit their rollback millage rate before notices go to print. This year, several didn’t make the deadline, so only the City M&O line shows up.

Bottom line: This isn’t a tax break. It’s an incomplete snapshot. Your full tax bill will come later once those rates are finalized.

Let’s decode what your property assessment notice is actually telling you.

KEY TERMS DEFINED

Homestead Exemption
Indicates whether the property is your primary residence. If “YES,” you’re getting a reduction in your assessed value on every eligible line item.

Fair Market Value
The county’s estimate of what your home would sell for. This is the full appraised value and can change each year.

Stephens-Day Freeze Value
This exemption freezes the County M&O portion of your taxes based on the year you apply. Your property value can go up, but your county tax won’t—unless major changes are made to your home.

Assessed Value
Equal to 40 percent of your fair market value. This is the number that millage rates are applied to in order to calculate your taxes.

Millage Rates and Estimated Taxes
Each taxing authority sets a millage rate. Multiply that rate by your assessed value to get your estimated taxes for each line item.

DEADLINES AND ACTION STEPS

Appeals and exemption filing deadline: July 21, 2025 (45 days from notice date)

Where to file:
Online: chathamtax.org → E-File → Homestead/Stephens-Day
In person: 222 W. Oglethorpe Ave., Suite 113
Bring your Georgia driver’s license and vehicle registration showing your current home address.

Already filed? Great. Your exemptions automatically renew unless you’ve moved.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

I’ve contacted the assessor’s office and will update you as soon as I have official clarification on the missing line items. In the meantime, I’m happy to help you:

• Check your value against recent sales

• File your Homestead or Stephens-Day exemption

• Appeal your property value if something looks off

Let’s make sure you’re protected. No one should pay more than they have to.

Alison Harris
Harris Home Team | Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners
912-272-7771 | alison@sellingsavannahhomes.com

P.S. Live in Bryan or Effingham County? Your notices and exemptions may follow a different process. Reach out and I’ll help guide you.