This is a press release from the Brad Raffensperger for Governor campaign.
Plan caps property tax increases, eliminates non education and public safety property taxes for seniors
Today, conservative businessman and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced his property tax relief package to cap property-tax growth and eliminate non-education and non-public safety property taxes for seniors.
“Hardworking Georgians are struggling to make ends meet,” said Raffensperger. “Under President Joe Biden’s failed leadership, families have endured the highest inflation in 40 years while battling soaring property taxes.
“As Governor, I will lead the charge to make Georgia more affordable by championing a property tax reform package that protects homeowners from massive assessment increases and burdensome property taxes.
Under Raffensperger’s property tax relief plan, the total property taxes paid by Georgia homeowners will not increase more than inflation (Consumer Price Index). The Department of Revenue will certify compliance each year with the established levy limit and require a super-majority local vote by citizens to exceed the cap.
Raffensperger’s property tax relief package also eliminates non-education and public safety related property taxes for seniors.
“No retiree should lose their home to property taxes after a lifetime of paying them. The people that built Georgia shouldn’t be taxed out of it.
Beginning at age 65, seniors will be exempt from all property taxes except those directly funding local schools and public safety. This exemption applies automatically to any homeowner (65 years and older) with a valid homestead exemption.
Raffensperger cites consistency as a key feature of his reform package, referencing House Bill 581, which allows taxing authorities to “opt-out” of the state’s new homestead tax exemption.
“Right now, property tax relief is a patchwork quilt that varies from county to county. My property tax reform plan will bring one uniform standard across all 159 counties—one cap, one senior-protection rule, one predictable system.
According to modeling, limiting annual total property-tax growth to CPI would save roughly $600 per year in additional tax burden (based on owning a $300,000 home). The senior exemption would save homeowners an additional $1,000 (based on owning a $300,000 home).
“Georgians deserve a government that works as hard and spends as wisely as they do,” Raffensperger said. “For far too long, homeowners have been forced to pay more in taxes while receiving no additional benefit, service, or value. This reform is about protecting the dream of homeownership for every Georgia family — not just today, but for the next generation.”
The reform plan is one critical step in Raffensperger’s broader mission to make Georgia a place where families can afford to live, work, and thrive. To learn more, visit www.BradForGeorgia.com.
