Another metro Atlanta city could vote on a property tax break

If passed and signed into law, increased homestead exemptions would be on the ballot in Chamblee this fall.

Credit: John Spink

Credit: John Spink

If passed and signed into law, increased homestead exemptions would be on the ballot in Chamblee this fall.

Voters in Chamblee could vote this November on whether to approve an increased tax break for homeowners.

A bill in the Georgia Legislature would put a referendum on the ballot that, if passed, would raise the Chamblee property tax homestead exemption from $30,000 to $50,000. Homestead exemptions apply to people who own the house they live in.

Another bill would give a 100 percent city tax exemption to Chamblee homeowners who are disabled or older than 64.

RELATED: Brookhaven looks to boost homestead exemption

The City Council voted in November in support of the tax breaks.

Rep. Scott Holcomb, the lead sponsor of the bills who represents parts of Chamblee, filed the legislation in February. The bills have passed the House of Representatives and are awaiting a vote in the Senate.

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If signed into law and passed by voters this fall, the new exemptions would take effect in 2020.

Similar efforts are underway in Brookhaven, whose City Council also urged the Legislature to increase homestead exemptions, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported last week.

Rep. Matt Wilson, who represents Brookhaven, said at a DeKalb County delegation meeting Monday that he is drafting bills that would let voters decide whether to increase homestead exemptions.

Local legislation generally does not follow the restrictions of “Crossover Day,” which was March 7 and marked the point statewide bills must pass either the House or Senate to stay alive this year.

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