Chatham County resident urges change to property tax relief occupancy deadline

The Chatham County government meeting held on June 21, 2025, addressed several key issues, including a significant discussion regarding the property tax relief program.

During the meeting, a resident raised concerns about the current eligibility criteria for the program, specifically the January 1 occupancy deadline. The resident explained their personal experience of selling a property and purchasing a new one, which they closed on February 3. They began occupying the new home on March 8 but found themselves ineligible for property tax relief due to not meeting the January 1 deadline.

The resident argued that the strict adherence to this deadline is unfair, especially considering their long-standing history as a taxpayer in Chatham County since February 2005, with a perfect record of tax payments. They acknowledged the other conditions for eligibility, such as income limits and age requirements, but emphasized the need for a more flexible occupancy deadline.

The resident proposed extending the deadline to April 1, suggesting that this change would allow new homeowners a reasonable timeframe to establish full-time occupancy without penalizing them for minor timing discrepancies. This request highlights the need for a review of the property tax relief program's criteria to better accommodate residents' circumstances.

The meeting concluded with a recognition of the resident's concerns, indicating that further discussions on the property tax relief program and potential adjustments to its criteria may be forthcoming. The county officials are expected to consider the implications of such changes for future homeowners in Chatham County.