Voters will decide on three ballot questions about taxes during this year’s election, which would limit homeowners’ property assessment increases, offer more generous personal property tax exemptions and create a tax court.
The two proposed amendments to the Georgia Constitution and a statewide referendum will appear on the ballot alongside races for president, Congress and the General Assembly.
The first measure is designed to slow property tax hikes that occur when home values rise. Most property tax money goes toward public schools.
If voters approve, home property assessments would be capped at the inflation rate for the previous year. By holding down assessment increases, property tax increases also would be limited. Property taxes are based on the assessed value of a home and the property tax rate.
The proposal also would allow local governments to use revenue from a 1% sales tax increase to lower property taxes. Some counties and cities already have similar taxes.
The second proposed constitutional amendment would create a state tax court responsible for handling cases concerning complaints involving the state Department of Revenue.
The Georgia Tax Court would replace the Georgia Tax Tribunal and move it to the judiciary branch. The tax court would have a chief judge appointed by the governor, and the chief judge would appoint up to three assistant court judges.
In addition, a third ballot question asks voters to increase the tax exemption for personal property — such as business inventory and farm machinery — from $7,500 to $20,000. The tax break excludes motor vehicles, trailers and mobile homes.
All three of the ballot questions received approval by the state House and Senate, where a two-thirds vote was required to put them on the ballot. Each chamber passed legislation — House bills 581, 808 and 1267 — to implement the changes if voters approve.
Georgia ballot questions
Constitutional Amendment 1
“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for a state-wide homestead exemption that serves to limit increases in the assessed value of homesteads, but which any county, consolidated government, municipality, or local school system may opt out of upon the completion of certain procedures?”
Constitutional Amendment 2
“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide for the Georgia Tax Court to be vested with the judicial power of the state and to have venue, judges, and jurisdiction concurrent with superior courts?”
Statewide referendum
“Do you approve the Act that increases an exemption from property tax for all tangible personal property from $7,500 to $20,000?”
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