Property Tax Records for Chatham County and Savannah

Chatham County property tax records are maintained by two separate offices in Savannah. The Board of Tax Assessors determines property values and maintains assessment records. The Tax Commissioner handles billing and collects payments. These records document all real and personal property in Chatham County. Property owners can search records, pay taxes, and file appeals through the county's online systems or by visiting the offices on West Oglethorpe Avenue.

Chatham County Board of Tax Assessors

The Board of Tax Assessors sets property values in Chatham County. They do not collect taxes. Their job is to find the fair market value of each property. Georgia law says assessed value equals 40 percent of fair market value. The Board uses this rule for all real and personal property in the county.

The Board of Tax Assessors office sits at 222 West Oglethorpe Avenue. The office is in Suite 107 in Savannah. Staff are there Monday through Friday. Hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can call them at (912) 652-7271. The website is boa.chathamcounty.org.

The office maintains records for all property in Chatham County. You can search these records online. The system lets you look up property by owner name, address, or parcel ID. Real property covers homes and land. Personal property includes business equipment. Both types are in the search system.

Assessment notices go out each year. Property owners get these in the mail. The notice shows your new assessed value. It also shows the deadline to appeal. You have 45 days from the notice date to file an appeal. Do not miss this deadline. Late appeals will not be heard until the next tax year.

Note: The Board of Tax Assessors sets values but does not set tax rates or collect payments.

Chatham County Tax Commissioner Office

The Tax Commissioner collects property taxes in Chatham County. This office bills all property owners. They also process payments. The Tax Commissioner sends out tax bills each year. Bills are based on the assessed values set by the Board of Tax Assessors. You pay taxes to this office.

The Tax Commissioner office is at 222 West Oglethorpe Avenue. It is in Suite 100. This puts it on the same street as the Assessor's office. Both offices are in downtown Savannah. The Tax Commissioner office has the same phone prefix as the Assessor. Call (912) 652-7100 for tax questions. Visit chathamcountyga.gov/departments/tax-commissioner for online services.

This office handles real property taxes. Real property includes homes, land, and buildings. They also collect personal property taxes. Personal property covers business equipment and inventory. Mobile homes are taxed as personal property. The Tax Commissioner tracks all payments.

You can pay taxes in several ways. Pay online through the county website. Pay by mail with a check. Pay in person at the office. Some banks also accept payments. Check the website for a full list of payment options. Late payments accrue interest and penalties.

Note: Contact the Tax Commissioner for questions about paying your tax bill or payment status.

Property Search Options in Chatham County

Chatham County offers online property search tools. The Board of Tax Assessors runs the main search system. You can access it at boa.chathamcounty.org. This system is free to use. No account is needed.

The search system has several options. You can search by owner name. Type the last name first. You can search by property address. Enter the street number and name. You can also search by parcel ID. The parcel ID is a unique number for each property. It is on your tax bill and assessment notice.

Search results show key property data. You will see the owner's name and mailing address. You will see the property address. You will see the assessed value. The system shows both land value and building value. It shows the total assessed value. This is 40 percent of fair market value.

The search system also has GIS mapping. GIS stands for Geographic Information System. This shows your property on a map. You can see property lines. You can see nearby parcels. You can see zoning information. The map tool helps you understand your property location.

Real property records are in the system. Personal property records are also available. Business owners can look up their equipment assessments. The system shows all taxable property in Chatham County. Records update regularly. Check back for the most current data.

Assessment and Appeal Process

Property assessments in Chatham County follow state law. The Board of Tax Assessors must assess all property at fair market value. Fair market value means what a buyer would pay. It means what a seller would accept. Both parties must be knowledgeable. Neither should be forced to act.

Georgia uses an assessment ratio of 40 percent. This means your assessed value is 40 percent of fair market value. If your home is worth $200,000, your assessed value is $80,000. Millage rates apply to the assessed value. This sets your tax amount. The Tax Commissioner uses this amount for your bill.

You can appeal your assessment. You must file within 45 days. The deadline is on your assessment notice. Do not wait. File as soon as you can. There are three ways to appeal. You can appeal to the County Board of Equalization. You can choose a hearing officer. You can use binding arbitration.

The appeal process starts with a form. Get the form from the Board of Tax Assessors. You can also download it online. Fill out the form completely. State why you disagree with the value. Give evidence to support your claim. Comparable sales work well. Photos of property issues help. A recent appraisal is strong evidence.

The Board will review your appeal. They may schedule a hearing. You can present your case in person. Bring all your evidence. Be ready to explain your position. The Board will make a decision. They may lower your value. They may keep it the same. They may even raise it. You can appeal further if needed.

Georgia law protects property owners. The Property Taxpayer's Bill of Rights gives you key protections. The Board must explain large increases. They must give you contact information. You have the right to record conversations. Learn more at dor.georgia.gov/property-taxpayers-bill-rights.

Note: The 45-day appeal period is strict. Missing the deadline means waiting until next year to challenge your assessment.

Cities in Chatham County

Chatham County includes several cities. The largest is Savannah. It is also the county seat. Property in these cities pays county taxes. Some cities also collect their own taxes. Check your tax bill to see what you owe.

Other communities in Chatham County include Pooler, Richmond Hill, Tybee Island, and Thunderbolt. All properties in these areas use the Chatham County property tax system for assessment and billing.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Chatham County. Residents near county lines should verify which county handles their property taxes. Tax records and payment processes vary by county in Georgia.

Additional Resources

These websites provide more information about property taxes in Chatham County and Georgia. Visit these official sources for forms, payment options, and detailed tax information.

Chatham County Board of Tax Assessors - Property valuations and online search

Chatham County Tax Commissioner - Tax billing and payment information

Chatham County Government - Main county website

Georgia Department of Revenue County Property Tax Facts - State tax information by county

Georgia Property Taxpayer's Bill of Rights - Appeal rights and protections