Savannah & Chatham County, GA Property Tax Appeals
Researched from official Chatham County sources · Updated October 2026
You already have the deadline and the forms. The part you can't look up is whether your own assessment would actually hold up — this checks it against real comparable sales and shows you the dollar gap, in about two minutes.
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Chatham County, Georgia homeowners, including Savannah, appeal in writing to the Board of Assessors within 45 days of the postmarked date on their assessment notice. If the Board of Assessors makes no change, the appeal goes to the Board of Equalization, which is free to use. Appeals can only be filed in response to an Annual Assessment Notice, so the deadline is the 45th day after the date printed on your own notice.
Rules for the rest of Georgia are in our Georgia property tax appeal guide.
2026 deadline and where to file
Status as of October 10, 2026.
- Real property appeal: in writing to the Chatham County Board of Assessors within 45 days of the postmarked date on your assessment notice.
- Board of Equalization: if the Board of Assessors decides "no change," the appeal is forwarded to the Board of Equalization. Hearings are before three members of one of Chatham County's three boards. Either side can appeal to Superior Court within 30 days of the decision by contacting the Board of Assessors, with a $25 filing fee.
- Hearing Officer: limited to non-homestead property valued over $500,000. The grounds are limited to value or uniformity, and either party can appeal to Superior Court within 30 days.
- Binding Arbitration: within 10 days the Board of Assessors acknowledges the appeal and requires a certified appraisal at your expense and a $25 filing fee. You have 45 days to submit the appraisal.
- Where: Chatham County Board of Assessors, 222 W. Oglethorpe Ave., Suite 113, Savannah (first floor of the Pete Liakakis Government Building).
- Returns: returns are due April 1, postmarked by that date. Metered mail does not count.
Before you read another page of forms and filing rules, find out if there's actually a gap between your assessment and what comparable homes sold for. Two minutes, and you'll know whether the rest of this guide is worth your time.
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How assessments work in Chatham County
Chatham County's appraisal staff gathers and verifies property facts such as age, square footage, bedrooms and baths, exterior covering and quality of construction. They use the cost, market and income approaches and make recommendations to the Board of Assessors, which approves the values.
The Assessors' Office measures the exterior perimeter of the house, not the interior living space, so a smaller inside measurement is not by itself a reason for a lower value. The county invites current sales information, photographs of similar properties that sold recently, and leases or income information. For rentals, unallowable expenses include depreciation, debt service, income taxes, capital improvements and owner's business expenses. If the property is owner-occupied and has no lease, rental rates can be estimated from comparable properties.
Exemptions and their deadlines
- Homestead exemption: a Georgia exemption of a specified amount of assessed value on your owner-occupied home.
- Documents to bring: a valid Georgia driver's license or ID, a current utility bill in your name and your current vehicle registration.
- Deadline: the county's FAQ says to apply by April 1 for that tax year. The Board of Assessors' home page says you can now apply up to the end of the 45-day appeal window after your assessment notice. It adds that online applications are taken until April 1 and later ones must be filed in person.
- Where: 222 West Oglethorpe Avenue, Suite 113.
Confirm the current cutoff with the office before you rely on either date.
How to appeal, step by step
- Check the notice date. Appeals can only be filed in response to the Annual Assessment Notice, and the 45 days run from the postmark date.
- Review your record. Check age, bed and bath count, construction type and square footage. Remember square footage is measured from the outside.
- Collect evidence. Recent sales, photos of similar properties that sold, and any appraisal. The county says these help the process.
- Appeal in writing to the Board of Assessors within 45 days. Use the state's PT-311A uniform appeal form or the county's form, and say which method you want.
- Attend the Board of Equalization hearing. It is free. The county appraiser presents, then you present. Evidence can include purchase price, appraisals, photos and comparables.
- Go to Superior Court if needed. Either party can appeal within 30 days of the Board of Equalization decision, with a $25 filing fee.
What property taxes cost in Chatham County
The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2020-2024 five-year estimates) puts the median real estate tax paid by Chatham County homeowners at $2,541 a year, against a median home value of $302,700. That is an effective rate of about 0.84% of home value (median tax divided by median value). It is a countywide figure: your own rate depends on your city, school district and special districts, so read the rate on your actual bill. About 68,319 homes in the county are owner-occupied. Source: Census Reporter, tables B25103 and B25077.
Check your value before you file
Start with the free Grove Hopper over-assessment check: enter your address and we compare your assessment to the data and tell you whether an appeal looks worth your time. If it does, we prepare your appeal documents. You review, sign and file them yourself with the Chatham County Board of Assessors. We do not file for you or represent you, and we are not attorneys, accountants or a tax firm.
Contacts
- Chatham County Board of Assessors: 222 W. Oglethorpe Ave., Suite 113, Savannah, GA · boa.chathamcountyga.gov
- Chatham County Board of Equalization: administered by the Clerk of Superior Court · equalization.chathamcountyga.gov
Chatham County appeal FAQs
What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Chatham County, Georgia?
You have 45 days from the postmarked date on your annual assessment notice. Appeals can only be filed in response to that notice.
Does it cost money to appeal to the Chatham County Board of Equalization?
No. The county says appealing to the Board of Equalization is free. A $25 filing fee applies to Superior Court and arbitration appeals.
Why does Chatham County's square footage not match my measurements?
The Assessors' Office measures the exterior perimeter of the home, not interior living space, and your assessment is based on that measurement.
Who can use a Hearing Officer in Chatham County?
Appeals to a Hearing Officer are limited to non-homestead properties valued over $500,000. The grounds are limited to value or uniformity.
When must I apply for a Chatham County homestead exemption?
The county FAQ says April 1 for that tax year. The Board of Assessors' home page says you can now apply through the end of the 45-day appeal window, with online applications until April 1 and in-person after. Check with the office.
Does Grove Hopper file my Chatham County appeal?
No. Grove Hopper is a research tool. We check your property against the data and prepare your appeal documents. You review, sign and submit the appeal to the Chatham County Board of Assessors yourself. We are not attorneys, accountants or a tax firm.
You already have the deadline and the forms. The part you can't look up is whether your own assessment would actually hold up — this checks it against real comparable sales and shows you the dollar gap, in about two minutes.
Free · no account · we never sell your address
This guide is researched from public sources and updated periodically; deadlines and procedures can change — always confirm with the county before filing. Grove Hopper is a research tool, not a law firm or tax advisor.