Chatham County, Georgia • Homestead exemption guide • reviewed September 8, 2026
Chatham County GA Homestead Exemption: Rules, Savings, Stephens-Day, Filing Steps and Local Contacts
The Chatham County homestead exemption can lower property taxes on a home you own and occupy as your permanent legal residence.
In Chatham County, exemptions are filed with the Board of Assessors, not the Tax Commissioner.
The regular Georgia filing deadline is April 1. Chatham County also says current-year applications can be considered through the 45-day appeal window on the Annual Notice of Assessment.
For 2026, county notices were mailed in June and the published extended exemption / appeal deadline was July 31, 2026.
Fast answer
Chatham County Homestead Exemption Quick Facts
Use this office for homestead, Stephens-Day, special exemptions, values and appeals.
Online homestead applications are taken through April 1 for the regular filing window.
After April 1, Chatham says applications must be submitted in person before the notice appeal window expires.
Chatham’s official brochure lists this regular homestead benefit from assessed value.
Georgia property tax is generally calculated from assessed value, not full market value.
This Chatham benefit can offset future value increases for the county portion of the bill.
To claim the Chatham County homestead exemption, own and occupy the home as your legal residence on January 1, file with the Board of Assessors, and keep proof that your Georgia ID and vehicle registration match the Chatham residence.
Local office decoder
Chatham County Offices, Addresses, Phone Numbers and Roles
Chatham County Board of Assessors
Best for: homestead filing, Stephens-Day, special exemptions, property values, assessment notices and written appeals.
Address: 222 W. Oglethorpe Ave, Suite 113, Savannah, GA 31401
Building: Pete Liakakis Government Building, 1st floor, Jefferson Street entrance.
Phone: 912-652-7271
Email: boa@chathamcounty.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Chief Appraiser: Corey Gillenwater
Open Board of Assessors contact pageChatham County Tax Commissioner
Best for: tax bills, tax payments, property-tax receipts, delinquent taxes and refunds after a correction.
Address: 222 W. Oglethorpe Ave, Suite 107, Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: 912-652-7100
Email: tax@chathamcounty.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM.
Tax Commissioner: Sonya L. Jackson
Open Tax Commissioner websiteChatham County Board of Equalization
Best for: hearings after the Board of Assessors does not resolve a written appeal.
Address: 1117 Eisenhower Dr, Suite A, Savannah, GA 31406
Phone: 912-447-4950
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
File the appeal with the Board of Assessors first. The BOE hears the case only if it is forwarded.
Open Board of EqualizationCounty Commissioners and local tax policy
Best for: county budget, millage hearings, policy questions and district representation.
Commission Chairman: Chester A. Ellis
District commissioners: Anthony Wayne Noha, Malinda Scott Hodge, Bobby L. Lockett, Patrick K. Farrell, Tanya Milton, Aaron “Adot” Whitley, Dean Kicklighter and Marsha Buford.
Commissioners do not approve your individual exemption application.
Open Board of Commissioners pageTax Commissioner satellite offices and appointment note
Downtown: 222 W. Oglethorpe Ave, Savannah, GA 31401.
Chatham Parkway: 295 Police Memorial Drive, Savannah, GA 31405.
Eisenhower: 1145 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah, GA 31406.
By-appointment satellite offices: Wilmington Island, Bloomingdale and Port Wentworth schedules can vary.
These Tax Commissioner offices help with tax bills and payments, not homestead approval.
Check Tax Commissioner wait timesMap to the homestead filing office
The Board of Assessors is the correct office for Chatham County homestead filing.
Use Suite 113 in the Pete Liakakis Government Building at 222 W. Oglethorpe Ave.
Content gap fix
Details Many Chatham Homestead Guides Miss
Online and in-person deadlines differ: Chatham says online applications are accepted through April 1, while later current-year applications must be filed in person before the assessment-notice appeal deadline.
Stephens-Day is not a full bill freeze: it protects the county portion, but school, city and state taxes are treated differently.
CPI can still matter: Chatham says the Savannah-Chatham school levy and City of Savannah bills include CPI treatment in the base-year calculation.
Vehicle registration matters: SmartFile states legal residence includes vehicle registration and state income-tax filing behavior.
Rental property does not qualify: the home must be your permanent residence, not an investment or rental-only property.
Deed changes can trigger a new filing: Chatham’s brochure says a new application is needed after buying a new home, deed changes or becoming eligible for a larger exemption.
Refinancing is different from a deed change: refinancing alone should not affect homestead unless the name changes on the deed.
Solid waste and street-light fees may remain: Chatham’s brochure notes homestead does not exempt taxpayers from some fee-type charges.
Filing workflow
How to Apply for the Chatham County Homestead Exemption
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Confirm January 1 ownership and occupancy.
You must own and occupy the home as your permanent legal residence as of January 1 of the tax year.
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Check your title and residence documents.
The applicant must live on the property and appear on title, unless a valid power of attorney situation applies.
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Find your property record.
Use the Chatham property search to confirm the PIN, owner, location address, value history and exemption status.
Open Chatham property searchAfter opening: accept the disclaimer, choose Property Records Search, then search by owner, address or PIN. Open the correct parcel and check exemptions, value history and Annual Assessment Notice tabs. -
File online before April 1 when possible.
Use Chatham SmartFile for the regular online filing window.
Open Chatham SmartFile homestead applicationAfter opening: read the Stephens-Day explanation, confirm January 1 qualification, upload ID / vehicle / income / veteran / disability documents if requested, submit and save confirmation. -
File in person if April 1 has passed.
Chatham states current-year applications after April 1 must be submitted in person before the Annual Notice of Assessment appeal deadline.
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Choose every benefit that applies.
Basic homestead and Stephens-Day start the process, but senior, disability, veteran, survivor and City of Savannah categories may require extra proof.
Homestead is handled before the bill stage. If the tax bill arrives without the exemption, you may need to resolve the exemption with the Board of Assessors and then handle billing or refunds through the Tax Commissioner.
Prepare before filing
Documents Chatham County May Request
Chatham requires a valid Georgia driver’s license or Georgia identification card.
Provide registration for vehicles owned by and registered in the applicant’s name.
Staff may request a prior-year utility bill or Chatham County voter registration card.
Age and income-based exemptions may require prior-year federal and state returns.
SmartFile says an applicant whose only income is Social Security must upload the current SSA-1099.
100% disabled veterans must upload official VA disability evidence and DD214.
A permanent disability claim may need a letter from a Georgia licensed physician.
Unremarried survivor benefits require documents proving the qualifying spouse category.
If someone else files in person, Chatham says a power of attorney is required.
Tax math
How Chatham County Homestead Savings Are Calculated
Georgia property tax starts with fair market value, then usually uses 40% of that value as assessed value.
Chatham’s regular homestead exemption then removes different amounts from different tax categories.
Simple example
A $350,000 fair market value home has a $140,000 assessed value at Georgia’s 40% ratio.
The regular Chatham homestead can reduce county assessed value by $12,000.
It can also reduce school and state assessed value by $2,000 before millage is applied.
Open simple educational savings calculator
Estimated assessed value: $140,000.00
County exemption used: $12,000.00
School / state exemption used: $2,000.00
Illustrative savings: $168.00
Unique Chatham benefit
Stephens-Day and HB 581 State Floating Homestead in Chatham County
Stephens-Day is one of the most important Chatham County homestead benefits.
Chatham describes it as an exemption equal to the difference between the current fair market value and the adjusted base-year value.
The base-year value generally starts from the property value in the year before homestead was first granted, plus later improvements.
SmartFile says Stephens-Day offsets future value increases for the county part of the bill.
The SmartFile page says it does not affect school, city or state taxes.
The county brochure says Stephens-Day / HB 581 state floating exemptions are compared and the greater savings is awarded.
Do not estimate your future bill from the seller’s tax bill. A seller may have Stephens-Day, senior, veteran or other benefits that do not automatically become yours.
Extra exemptions
Senior, Disability, Veteran, Survivor and City of Savannah Benefits
Special Chatham Senior Exemption
Chatham’s brochure says this requires age 65 as of January 1 and a net-income test.
It lists $30,000 off assessed value on county and school taxes, plus exemption from most state tax assessments.
Senior School Exemption
Chatham lists a senior school exemption for taxpayers age 62 as of January 1.
The brochure describes a $25,000 net-income test and prior-year federal and Georgia income-tax return proof.
School Disability
This category requires a letter from a Georgia licensed physician.
The letter must show a likely permanent physical or mental incapacity that prevents gainful employment.
Disabled Veteran
A qualifying disabled veteran must provide VA documentation showing 100% service-connected disability or compensation at the 100% rate.
The exemption amount can change annually and can apply to county, school, state and municipal assessments.
Unremarried Surviving Spouse
Chatham lists survivor categories for disabled veterans, U.S. service members killed in action and firefighters or peace officers killed in the line of duty.
Each category requires different proof.
City of Savannah and floating benefits
Chatham lists City of Savannah, Floating Homestead and Tax Deferral for the Elderly among special exemptions.
Verify city and special-district treatment before assuming the county exemption controls the full bill.
After filing
How to Check Status, Notices, Value History and Exemption Lines
After applying, keep your SmartFile confirmation or in-person receipt.
Then check the Chatham property record and the Annual Assessment Notice tab.
Property record: check owner name, situs address, PIN, exemption labels and value history.
Annual Assessment Notice: review fair market value, assessed value, exemptions, estimated savings and appeal instructions.
Value History tab: Chatham says this can show whether a 299C value-protection reason exists.
No exemption showing: contact the Board of Assessors with your PIN and filing confirmation.
No longer eligible: Chatham’s 2026 notice guidance says taxpayers must notify local tax officials if they become ineligible.
Appeal path
What If Your Exemption Is Denied or Your Value Looks Too High?
A homestead application and a value appeal are separate actions.
File exemption questions with the Board of Assessors. If the issue is not resolved, use the written appeal process by the deadline.
Exemption denied or missing
Review the denial notice, filing confirmation and property record first.
If needed, appeal within 45 days of the notification or assessment-notice deadline.
Fair market value too high
Gather comparable sales, photos, repairs, appraisals and purchase evidence.
File a written appeal with the Board of Assessors by the notice deadline.
Appeal deadline: generally 45 days from the postmarked date on the assessment notice.
Appeal form: Georgia uses PT-311A, the uniform assessment appeal form.
BOE route: a Board of Equalization appeal is free before the local board.
Superior Court route: either party may appeal within 30 days after a BOE decision; the BOE page lists a $25 filing fee for that step.
299C caution: Chatham warns that appealing while a 299C value protection is active may remove that value protection for the tax year.
Tax bills and cities
Tax Collector, City Taxes, Installments and Non-Ad Valorem Charges
Chatham real property taxes are billed in two installments.
The first bill is mailed by April 1 and due June 1. The second bill is mailed by September 15 and due November 15.
The Tax Commissioner bills and collects for Chatham County, the School Board, Transit Authority, Special Service District and several municipalities.
Avoid delays
Common Chatham County Homestead Mistakes
Filing with the wrong office: homestead goes to the Board of Assessors, not the Tax Commissioner.
Missing the online cutoff: online filing is for the regular window; after April 1, use the in-person current-year window if still available.
Ignoring Stephens-Day: it can be more valuable over time than the regular exemption alone.
Using the seller’s bill: the seller’s senior, veteran, Stephens-Day or survivor benefits may not transfer to you.
Not updating vehicles: SmartFile says legal residence includes vehicle registration and state income-tax filing behavior.
Forgetting special benefits: age, disability, veteran and survivor exemptions require additional documents.
Assuming every charge disappears: homestead does not remove every fee, such as solid waste or street-light charges.
Appealing without checking 299C: Chatham warns that an appeal may remove active 299C value protection for that year.
Decision path
What to Do Next
If you bought and moved into a Chatham home
Update Georgia ID and vehicle records, search the PIN, then file homestead with the Board of Assessors.
If April 1 has passed
Check whether your Annual Notice of Assessment appeal deadline is still open, then file in person if allowed.
If the exemption is missing
Check SmartFile confirmation and the property record, then contact BOA at 912-652-7271.
If the bill is wrong after approval
Confirm the exemption with BOA first, then contact the Tax Commissioner about billing or refund handling.
If value looks too high
Use the appeal deadline on the assessment notice and file a written appeal with evidence.
If deed or ownership is wrong
Review recorded documents and seek legal help if a title correction is needed.
Important caution
Independent Information, Tax Caution and Property-Records Notice
This page is independent informational content for homeowners.
It is not the official website of Chatham County, the Chatham County Board of Assessors, the Tax Commissioner, the Board of Equalization or the Georgia Department of Revenue.
It is not legal advice, tax advice, an official bill, an appraisal notice, an exemption approval or an appeal decision.
Verify deadlines, forms, exemption amounts, office hours, income limits, appeal rules and tax bills directly with the responsible government office before acting.
Property records should be used for property-tax, appraisal, ownership-reference and public-record purposes only.
Do not use property-record information for employment screening, tenant screening, credit, insurance or any purpose regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
FAQs
Chatham County Homestead Exemption FAQs
Where do I file the Chatham County homestead exemption?
File with the Chatham County Board of Assessors at 222 W. Oglethorpe Ave, Suite 113, Savannah, GA 31401, or through the official SmartFile page during the online filing window.
What is the Chatham County homestead exemption deadline?
The regular online deadline is April 1. Chatham also states that current-year applications can be considered until the Annual Notice of Assessment 45-day appeal deadline, but applications after April 1 must be filed in person.
What was the Chatham County 2026 extended deadline?
For 2026, Chatham County published July 31, 2026 as the extended property-tax exemption and appeal deadline after 2026 assessment notices were mailed in June.
How much is the regular Chatham County homestead exemption?
Chatham’s official brochure lists the regular homestead exemption as $12,000 off assessed value on county taxes and $2,000 off school and state taxes.
What is the Stephens-Day exemption?
Stephens-Day is a Chatham County homestead benefit that offsets future increases in property value for the county portion of the bill, using an adjusted base-year value.
Does Stephens-Day freeze every part of my tax bill?
No. Chatham SmartFile says Stephens-Day offsets the county portion but does not affect school, city or state taxes.
What documents do I need for Chatham homestead?
Prepare a valid Georgia driver’s license or Georgia ID, vehicle registration for vehicles in the applicant’s name, and any requested utility bill, voter card, income return, SSA-1099, VA letter, DD214 or physician letter.
Does a rental property qualify for Chatham homestead?
No. Chatham says rental property does not qualify. The property must be owned and occupied as the applicant’s permanent place of residence.
Who handles Chatham property tax bills?
The Chatham County Tax Commissioner handles billing, collections, payments and refunds. The Board of Assessors handles the exemption and value decision.
Can I appeal if my Chatham exemption is denied?
Yes. A denial or value dispute can be appealed through the Board of Assessors, generally within the 45-day notice or notification deadline.
Official resources