FAQ

Property tax is an ad valorem tax, which means according to value. Ad valorem tax, the tax collected by the tax commissioner, is based on the value of the taxable property in the county.

All real estate and personal property are taxable unless law has exempted the property. (O.C.G.A. 48-5-3) Real property is land and generally anything that is erected, growing or affixed to the land; personal property is everything that can be owned that is not real estate. Personal property typically consists of inventory and fixtures used in conducting business, boats, aircraft, farm machinery, motor vehicles and mobile homes. Your household property is not normally taxable.

The Board of Assessors has the responsibility of determining the value of property in Lee County. Each year between January 1 and April 1 every property owner has the ability to declare a proposed value for their property. (O.C.G.A. 48-5-9) These values are declared in the manner of ‘filing a return’. Returns for real estate are filed in the Tax Assessor’s office and returns for personal property are filed with the Board of Assessors. The Board of Assessors will review your proposed value and if they disagree, an assessment notice with the Boards’ value will be mailed to you.

Taxpayers may challenge an assessment by Lee County Board of Tax Assessors by appealing to Lee County Board of Equalization or to an arbitrator(s) within 45 days from the date of the assessment notice. Once the county board of equalization or the arbitrator(s) has rendered a decision, the taxpayer may continue their appeal to the superior court by mailing or filing with Lee County Board of Tax Assessors a written notice wishing to continue the appeal.

Assessed value is defined as being 40% of the fair market value. Property in Georgia is taxed on the assessed value.

The tax rate, or millage rate, is set annually by the Lee County Board of Commissioners and the Lee County Board of Education. A tax rate of one mill represents a tax liability of one dollar per $1,000 of assessed value. Each governing authority estimates their total revenue from other sources. This figure is subtracted from their overall budgetary needs, and then a millage rate is set that will generate the necessary revenues to fulfill budgetary requirements.

Once the property owner and the Board of Assessors have come to terms with an appropriate value, this value is provided to the Tax Commissioner for tax bill calculation. To calculate a tax bill, you must first deduct any exemptions that may apply from the assessed value; thus generating a net assessed (taxable) value. Next you multiply the net assessed value by the millage rate.

Taxes for real estate and business personal property are normally due in Lee County on December 20th of each year.

Mobile/manufactured homes are due April 1 of each year, and motor vehicles are due based on the owners’ birthday.

After the due date, interest and penalties will apply as mandated by O.C.G.A. 48-2-40 and 48-2-44. If the property taxes remain unpaid, the Tax Commissioner has the right and responsibility to levy on the property for non-payment. Of course, we consider this a last resort for tax collection and prefer to use other collection methods. Tax bills are mailed to the homeowner, never to the mortgage company. You must forward your bill to your mortgage company if necessary.

Yes. There are several exemptions and special assessment programs available that may apply to your property. The most common are the homestead exemption for real estate and for business personal property there is the freeport exemption. Contact the Lee County Tax Assessor’s Office for details of the available special assessment programs and Homestead exemptions.

Homestead exemption is the system developed by the State of Georgia that exempts from taxation a specified amount of assessed value of your home. You may apply for homestead exemption in the Tax Assessor’s office. To qualify, you must both own and occupy your home as of January 1. Once you have qualified for homestead exemption and remain in the same house you do not need to reapply. However, if you move, you are required to reapply for the exemption for the new location. Application for homestead exemption may be submitted any time during the year but must be received before April 1 of the taxable year to qualify for the exemption that year. If received after April 1, the Tax Assessor will activate the exemption the following year. When the homeowner reaches the age of 62 years old, they may apply for an additional homestead exemption.

You can obtain a copy of your warranty deed from the Clerk of Superior Court deed room. This office is located in the Lee County Courthouse.

• To support administration of county government and the public school system
• To build and repair public buildings and bridges
• To pay expenses of courts, county jail and law enforcement
• To build and maintain county roads
• To provide for fire protection
• To provide for public health and sanitation

This is an abbreviated list. Please see the Official Georgia Code for a complete list. (O.C.G.A. 48-5-220)

Yes. Mobile/modular homes are considered personal property and are taxable in the State of Georgia. Tax must be paid annually with a due date of April 1st. The owner of any mobile/modular home located in Lee County must file a return and obtain a location permit. In order to obtain this permit the mobile home tax for the current year must be paid in full.

When taxes remain unpaid for more than 30 days after their due date, the taxes are subject to a tax fifa (lien) being recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court. These records are public so credit bureaus may access them and may use them to adversely affect your credit. The tax office does not deal with these credit bureaus and so has no control of how they use the information or how often they update their records.