Special Election - City of atlanta
City of Atlanta Independent School District Homestead Exemption
“Shall the Act be approved which increases the homestead exemption from City of Atlanta Independent School District ad valorem taxes for educational purposes from $30,000.00 to $50,000.00 of the assessed value of that homestead that exceeds $10,000.00, provided that such Act shall be repealed on December 31, 2021?”
What voting “yes” or “no” means:
YES
Voting “yes” means that homeowners with lower-value homes will pay more in property taxes and homeowners with higher-value homes will pay less in property taxes for the next three years.
NO
Voting “no” means that there will be no changes in the current tax structure.
Supporters say this will help relieve some of the burden of tax assessment increases. It’s fair that everyone helps pay for schools.
Opponents say this will take away money from our schools.
Summary:
The intent of this act is to provide property tax relief for homeowners. In the state legislature, this bill originally was a straight-up increase of the homestead exemption, but was amended so that all homeowners, regardless of the value of their homes, would have to pay some amount of property tax to help fund the Atlanta Public Schools.
Is the fair market value of your home currently less than $100,000?
You’ll pay about $200 more annually in property taxes to Atlanta Public Schools in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Is the fair market value of your home is currently more than $100,000?
You’ll pay about $400 less annually in property taxes to Atlanta Public Schools in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Renters and commercial property owners will not see a reduction in property taxes.
Atlanta Public Schools anticipates that approval of this act will cost them $20-25 million annually in tax revenue in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Since this act would be repealed at the end of 2021, the state legislature would have to pass another act – and get voter approval – to have it continue afterwards.
Atlanta Public Schools supported passage of this legislation.
Watch discussion on this question from our live ballot questions event.
How did the state legislature vote on this?
Who gets to vote now?
All voters in the City of Atlanta – whether you live in Fulton County or DeKalb County – get to vote on this question.
Legislation:
Additional resources: