Property tax is an ad valorem tax based upon the value of property, both real and personal. Real property is defined as land and generally anything that is erected, growing, or affixed to the land. Personal property is boats, airplanes, business inventory, and any equipment, furniture, and fixtures needed to run a business. Property taxes are charged against the owner of the property as of January 1, and against the property itself if the owner is not known. Property tax returns are to be filed between January 1 and April 1 with the county Assessor's Office.

Homestead, School, Disabled Veterans, & Preferential Agriculture Property tax is one of the primary sources of revenue for Lowndes County. It is used to fund police and fire services, education, roads, bridges, water, parks, and other county services. The basis for property tax is the fair market value of the property, which is established on January 1 of each year. The tax is levied on the assessment value, which by law is established at 40% of fair market value. The amount of tax is determined by the millage rate. One mill of tax is equal to $1 per $1,000 of assessed value. We accept applications year round. Applications for the current year must be made prior to March 1 of the year the application is being sought. Once you have applied for an exemption, you do not need to reapply unless you move to another location. Special Exemptions You may be eligible for conservation use or preferential agricultural assessment exemption if you are in good faith agricultural / forest production. This would include producing plants, trees, fowl or animals, or the production of aquaculture, horticulture, floriculture, forestry, dairy, livestock, poultry and apiarian products. With both programs, you enter into a 10-year covenant with Lowndes County whereby you agree to continue your property in agricultural or forestry production. Residential Transitional Exemption If you live in an area that is in a transition from residential to commercial use, and it is affecting the value of your property, you may apply for a residential transitional assessment covenant. This is also a 10-year covenant. For all 3, apply between January 2 and April 1.

The tax rate, or millage, is set annually. A tax rate of 1 mill represents a tax liability of $1 per $1,000 of assessed value. Example The assessed value--40% of the fair market value--of a house that is worth $100,000 is $40,000. In a county where the millage rate is 25 mills the property tax on that house would be $1,000; $25 for every $1,000 of assessed value or $25 multiplied by 40 is $1,000.