Georgia · Chatham County · Local exemptions · Updated Oct 2026
Chatham County, GA property tax exemptions (2026)
The property tax breaks that are set or run locally in Chatham County, on top of Georgia’s statewide rules: what each is worth here, who qualifies, where to apply and the deadline.
What is different in Chatham County
Chatham County's Stephens-Day exemption freezes a homestead's value for county, school and city taxes (the school and Savannah base values rise with CPI). On top of that the county gives $12,000 off, seniors and disabled owners with low incomes get $30,000 off, and Savannah, Tybee, Pooler, Garden City, Port Wentworth and Thunderbolt add city exemptions. Figures from the Georgia DOR local exemption sheet are for digest year 2024.
Apply at
Chatham County Board of Assessors
Phone
912-652-7271
Local breaks
Stephens-Day homestead freeze (HB 1023/1024/965, 1999; HB 1729, 2000), County homestead, Senior/disabled county exemption (Ga. L. 1978 p. 2373), Senior school tax exemption (Ga. L. 1981 p. 1918), School tax disability exemption (HB 1731, 2002), City exemptions
Tax year
2024 (DOR digest-year 2024 sheet), 2024 sheet; described on Board of Assessors page (2026)
Exempts the difference between the current fair market value and the adjusted base-year value (home and up to 5 acres); school and City of Savannah base values rise by CPI
Set by
county, school district and cities
Tax year
2024 sheet; described on Board of Assessors page (2026)
Who qualifies
Own and occupy the home; transfers to an unremarried surviving spouse who applies
How to apply
Apply with the Chatham County Board of Assessors. Bring a Georgia driver's license or ID showing the home address.
Senior/disabled county exemption (Ga. L. 1978 p. 2373)
$30,000 off the assessed value (Georgia assesses homes at 40% of market value) for county M&O and bond
Set by
county
Tax year
2024 (DOR digest-year 2024 sheet)
Who qualifies
Disabled or age 65, net income under $10,000
Income limit
$10,000 net
How to apply
Apply with the Chatham County Board of Assessors. Bring a Georgia driver's license or ID showing the home address; for age or income-based exemptions also bring proof of age and the prior year's federal and Georgia income tax returns (or Social Security/pension statements).
$30,000 off the assessed value (Georgia assesses homes at 40% of market value) for school M&O and bond
Set by
school district
Tax year
2024 (DOR digest-year 2024 sheet)
Who qualifies
Age 62, net income under $25,000
Income limit
$25,000 net
How to apply
Apply with the Chatham County Board of Assessors. Bring a Georgia driver's license or ID showing the home address; for age or income-based exemptions also bring proof of age and the prior year's federal and Georgia income tax returns (or Social Security/pension statements).
Apply with the Chatham County Board of Assessors. Bring a Georgia driver's license or ID showing the home address; for age or income-based exemptions also bring proof of age and the prior year's federal and Georgia income tax returns (or Social Security/pension statements); for disability exemptions, a physician's certificate of total and permanent disability.
Savannah $30,000 (disabled or 65, net income under $11,500); Thunderbolt $30,000 (senior, income); Pooler $30,000 (senior, income); Tybee $80,000 (own and occupy) plus a 65+ value freeze; Garden City $40,000; Port Wentworth $40,000
Set by
city
Tax year
2024 (DOR digest-year 2024 sheet)
Who qualifies
City residents meeting each city's test
How to apply
Apply with the Chatham County Board of Assessors. Bring a Georgia driver's license or ID showing the home address.
Roughly what an exemption could save you a year: the value it takes off, times your tax rate.
Eligibility finder for Chatham County
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Document checklist for Chatham County
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Questions about property tax exemptions in Chatham County
What property tax exemptions are there in Chatham County?
Chatham County's Stephens-Day exemption freezes a homestead's value for county, school and city taxes (the school and Savannah base values rise with CPI). On top of that the county gives $12,000 off, seniors and disabled owners with low incomes get $30,000 off, and Savannah, Tybee, Pooler, Garden City, Port Wentworth and Thunderbolt add city exemptions. Figures from the Georgia DOR local exemption sheet are for digest year 2024. Local breaks here: Stephens-Day homestead freeze (HB 1023/1024/965, 1999; HB 1729, 2000); County homestead; Senior/disabled county exemption (Ga. L. 1978 p. 2373); Senior school tax exemption (Ga. L. 1981 p. 1918); School tax disability exemption (HB 1731, 2002); City exemptions.
Where do I apply for a property tax exemption in Chatham County?
Chatham County Board of Assessors Phone: 912-652-7271 Address: 222 West Oglethorpe Ave., Suite 113, Savannah, GA 31401. Also: Chatham County Tax Commissioner, which sends and collects the tax bill. Also: Georgia Department of Revenue, Local Government Services, which state rules and forms.
When is the deadline to apply in Chatham County?
Stephens-Day homestead freeze (HB 1023/1024/965, 1999; HB 1729, 2000): April 1 of the tax year, or by the end of the 45-day appeal window on your assessment notice (Georgia DOR) County homestead: April 1 of the tax year, or by the end of the 45-day appeal window on your assessment notice (Georgia DOR) Senior/disabled county exemption (Ga. L. 1978 p. 2373): April 1 of the tax year, or by the end of the 45-day appeal window on your assessment notice (Georgia DOR) Senior school tax exemption (Ga. L. 1981 p. 1918): April 1 of the tax year, or by the end of the 45-day appeal window on your assessment notice (Georgia DOR) School tax disability exemption (HB 1731, 2002): April 1 of the tax year, or by the end of the 45-day appeal window on your assessment notice (Georgia DOR) City exemptions: April 1 of the tax year, or by the end of the 45-day appeal window on your assessment notice (Georgia DOR)
Is there an income limit for Chatham County’s local breaks?
Stephens-Day homestead freeze (HB 1023/1024/965, 1999; HB 1729, 2000): no income limit listed. County homestead: no income limit listed. Senior/disabled county exemption (Ga. L. 1978 p. 2373): $10,000 net. Senior school tax exemption (Ga. L. 1981 p. 1918): $25,000 net. School tax disability exemption (HB 1731, 2002): no income limit listed. City exemptions: no income limit listed.
Do I have to reapply every year in Chatham County?
Stephens-Day homestead freeze (HB 1023/1024/965, 1999; HB 1729, 2000): Renews automatically while you own and live in the home; tell the office if you stop qualifying (income-based exemptions can be re-checked) County homestead: Renews automatically while you own and live in the home; tell the office if you stop qualifying (income-based exemptions can be re-checked) Senior/disabled county exemption (Ga. L. 1978 p. 2373): Renews automatically while you own and live in the home; tell the office if you stop qualifying (income-based exemptions can be re-checked) Senior school tax exemption (Ga. L. 1981 p. 1918): Renews automatically while you own and live in the home; tell the office if you stop qualifying (income-based exemptions can be re-checked) School tax disability exemption (HB 1731, 2002): Renews automatically while you own and live in the home; tell the office if you stop qualifying (income-based exemptions can be re-checked) City exemptions: Renews automatically while you own and live in the home; tell the office if you stop qualifying (income-based exemptions can be re-checked)
Good to know in Chatham County
Exemptions are filed in person with the Board of Assessors (222 West Oglethorpe Ave., Suite 113, Savannah) by the 45-day appeal date on the annual assessment notice.
Median effective tax rate for Chatham County: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2020–2024 5-year estimates, county figures as published by Tax Foundation. The rate is property taxes paid divided by home value.