Proposal would fund Lowndes homeowners’ tax relief with sales tax

Eligible homeowners would receive an exemption that removes part of their home’s assessed value from county property taxes. The exemption would cover eligible home property within Lowndes County and only county property taxes. Homeowners could keep other applicable home exemptions. The proposal would need two-thirds approval in both legislative chambers and approval by more than half of voters voting on the question. State rules would set the exemption amount each year, funded by net sales tax proceeds. Home value above that amount would remain taxable. Homeowners would apply unless they had previously applied for another county home exemption, received it the previous tax year, and remained eligible for the same home. The exemption would renew automatically while homeowners remained eligible and lived in the home. They would have to report losing eligibility. For approval in the planned 2026 vote, the exemption would start January 1, 2027, and apply through December 31, 2039.

Lowndes County would collect a 1% local sales tax to fund the proposed home property tax exemption. The sales tax would apply within Lowndes County. County voters would decide whether to approve the tax and homeowner relief together. The proposal would need two-thirds approval in both legislative chambers and approval by more than half of votes cast on the referendum question. Without voter approval or the required election, the exemption would not take effect. The act would automatically be repealed 365 days after the scheduled election date. The referendum would be scheduled for November 3, 2026. Sales tax collection would run from January 1, 2028, through December 31, 2037.