Proposal to extend property value freeze advances

The Georgia House of Representatives approved HB 596 yesterday which allows for a referendum to extend the property tax freeze in DeKalb County up through 2021. The bill now heads to the state Senate where Sen. Fran Millar says he’s already been promised support for the measure by fellow DeKalb legislators.

The freeze doesn’t actually prevent property values from increasing, but it offsets increases in property values by exempting the value by which the property has increased. The freeze applies to county property taxes. Homeowners can apply for the freeze when they apply for their DeKalb County homestead exemption. The DeKalb freeze can save taxpayers money even if they live within the city limits of Decatur by potentially reducing their county property tax bill.