Calculating Property Taxes

Put simply, City of Savannah property taxes are based on the fair market value of your property (as determined annually by the Chatham County Board of Assessors) and the City’s millage rate (set annually by Savannah City Council). 

Appealing Your Property's Value

Each year, property owners receive notice from the Chatham County Board of Assessors about the value of their property as determined by the Assessors’ appraisal program. The annual notice also includes the deadline for property owners to appeal their property’s valuation with the Board of Assessors. The City of Savannah has no role in determining the value of your property. Please reach out to the Chatham County Board of Assessors with questions about property valuation and the appeals process.

Exemptions Lower Your Taxes

Exemptions can lower the taxable value of your property. The Homestead Exemption, for instance, locks in the value of your property for the entire time you are the owner. There are also exemptions based on an individual’s age, income, and status as a disabled military veteran. To find out which exemptions you might qualify for, please contact the Chatham County Board of Assessors.

Chatham County Board of Assessors
Website: boa.chathamcountyga.gov
Phone: (912) 652-7271

Calculating Property Taxes

Let's go step-by-step through a calculation of City of Savannah property taxes for a home with a fair market value of $100,000. First, we need to find out the taxable value of the property, then we can calculate the taxes based on that value and the current millage rate. 

(Fair Market Value x Assessment Rate) - Exemptions = Taxable Value

Taxable Value x Millage Rate = Taxes Due

Each year, your property's fair market value is set by the Chatham County Board of Assessors. All property in Georgia is taxed at an assessment rate of 40% of fair market value.

$100,000 x 40% = $40,000

Exemptions, such as the homestead exemption for owner-occupied homes, reduce the taxable value of your property. Let's say this homeowner qualifies for a homestead exemption of $2,000.

$40,000 - $2,000 = $38,000

The taxable value is then multiplied by the millage rate. 1 mill = $1 tax per $1,000 taxable value. The City of Savannah’s 2021 millage rate was set at 12.739; property owners paid $12.739 per $1,000 of taxable value.

$38,000 x (12.739/1,000) = $484.08* 

or 

$38,000 x .012739=$484.08*

*Please note: In Chatham County, the School Board and Chatham County set and assess property taxes separately and in addition to the tax rate set and collected by the City of Savannah. Chatham County residents who reside within Savannah’s city limits are required to pay both County and City property taxes per Georgia law. Property owners in the County and City also pay School Board taxes. School Board taxes are collected by the Chatham County Tax Commissioner.