Property Tax FAQs

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Property Tax FAQs

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Property Tax
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How often does the city bill property tax?	A: The City of Savannah bills real property tax in two (2) installments (spring: Due Date 6/1 & Fall: Due Date 11/15)* Due dates do fluctuate. Personal Property & Public Utilities are billed once a year.
Q: Do I really have to pay two (2) taxes?	A: Yes. In many counties throughout Georgia, the county bills on behalf of a city, but the City of Savannah bills and collects its own tax. Keep in mind, if you live within the city limits, it is the city that provides your services – not the County.
Q: How can I pay my bill? Can I pay on-line?	A: You can mail in your payment (check of credit card/Visa or Master Card) or make cash payments. 132 E. Broughton St. M-F 8:15 – 5:00. At this time there are no online payments.
Q: What is the City’s Millage rate?	A: A table is provided on the city's website under property tax. 2007 rate is 12.7
Q: How do I apply for an exemption?	A: All exemptions are applied for at the Chatham County Tax Assessor’s office at 133 Montgomery St. (County Court House) 5th floor – Link to www.chathamcounty.org/assessor.html at the Board of Assessors homepage, click on link ‘facts every taxpayer should know’ to get detailed exemption information.
Q: How can I change my address?	A: County -Change of Address Form can be printed from the Forms and Applications section, then filed out and mailed.
Q: What happens if I can’t pay my taxes?	A: All Taxes remaining unpaid after the City’s due date are subject to interest and penalties [a one-time five percent (5%) tax penalty is assessed and interest is applied at the rate of one percent (1%) per month no later than the 10th of each month] additional fees and costs accrue as collection action continues. The City of Savannah’s Revenue Department follows legal procedures prescribed by the official code of Georgia annotated (O.C.G.A.) when levying property. The sections of code pertaining to tax exemptions and tax foreclosures are: Title 48, Revenue & taxation, chapter 3 – “Tax Executions” and chapter 4 ‘Tax Sales’ The City contracts with GTS (Government Tax Solutions) to collect delinquent taxes. Any questions regarding tax sales should be directed to GTS (Link to GTS) Gtsweb.com.

Q: Do you accept partial payments?

A: Yes we do, but keep in mind any unpaid tax is subject to penalties and interest as described above. The City is committed to working with taxpayers attempting to pay their taxes.

Chatham County Board of Assessors

· Maintain property ownership
· Maintain property owner mailing address
· Assess valuation of property
· Accept and process homestead exemptions
· Accept and process property returns
· Accept and process property assessment appeals
· Compile the annual digest values

Chatham County Tax Commissioner

· Creates County tax bill (using information from the County assessor)
· Collects tax
· Distributes tax

City of Savannah – Revenue Department

· Creates city tax bill (using information from County)
· Collects Tax

The City of Savannah & Tax Commissioner use the appraised value and the exemption status provided by the Board of Tax Assessors, along with the mileage rates set by the governing authorities, to calculate taxes for each property, and mail bills to owners at the addresses provided by The Board of Tax Assessors.