Homestead exemption referendum planned in White, Habersham

ATLANTA - The Georgia House has passed legislation calling for a referendum on increasing the homestead exemption in Habersham and White counties to offset any increase in property tax assessments.

If the referendum passes in November, the increased homestead exemption would be effective next January.

The legislation was authored by Representative Ben Bridges, R-Cleveland.

Bridges said, "currently, property is reassessed every other year to determine its value, which invariably results in an automatic increase in property taxes."

The legislation pertains only to county taxes on residences and does not apply to or affect state, school, or city ad valorem taxes.