Questions From Taxpayers About Current use Assessment
Your tax bill may be lowered if you devote your property to a current use and sign a 10-year promise to keep it in that use.
WHO IS QUALIFIED?
Certain individuals, estates, trusts and family farm corporations
WHAT TYPE PROPERTY MUST I HAVE?
There are specific qualifications but generally any of the following types of property may be eligible:
• Property devoted to bona fide agricultural or forest production.
• Homes located in an area where land prices are rising because of nearby commercial development.
• Property classified as “Environmentally Sensitive” by the Department of Natural Resources.
WHAT MUST I DO?
You must sign a covenant application promising to keep using your property in the qualifying use for the next 10 years. Your ability to sell or develop it will be restricted during that time. You can sign up any time between January 1 and April 1, or within the county’s time period for filing property assessment appeals. If you currently have your property in a “Preferential Assessment Covenant”, you may switch to a “Current Use Covenant” if it offers you a better tax advantage.
HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?
Please contact The Effingham County Board of Tax Assessor’s office for official information about current use assessment or if you have general questions concerning this program, you may contact the State of Georgia, Property Tax Division, Georgia Department of Revenue Homepage.