Overview:
School taxes are likely to go up by 1.92%. We explain the millage rate process and how it differs from SPLOST.
UPDATE 8/22: The Board of Commissioners has changed the date of the special called meeting to ratify the School Board’s proposed millage rate. That special called meeting will now take place on Wednesday, August 24 at 11:30 a.m.
If you want to tell your elected officials what you think about school tax increases, this is your last chance for the coming year.
The School Board is not increasing the millage rate, which is 20 mils. However, according to the School Board, your school property tax bill will go up by 1.92%.
The millage rate is $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value on your home. Here’s how it works:
If your house is worth $100,000, you only pay taxes on the assessed value, which is 40%. In this example, that means you only pay taxes on $40,000 of your home.
For the school tax, the millage rate is 20 mils, which means you pay 0.02 x $40,000 = $800.
But because the housing market has seen prices rise over the last year, your house might be worth more this tax season.
If your home is now worth $150,000, and the millage rate stays at 20 mils, you now have a $60,000 assessed value. Multiply that by the same 0.02 and you’re looking at $1,200 in school taxes.
You can calculate your property taxes here:
Clayton County Tax Commissioner
https://www.claytoncountyga.gov/government/tax-commissioner/estimate-property-tax-bill/
Anytime Estimate
https://anytimeestimate.com/property-tax/property-tax-and-millage-calculator/
The Clayton County Board of Commissioners will then hold a special called meeting on Wednesday, August 24 at 11:30 a.m. at 112 Smith Street in Jonesboro to vote on the school millage rate for fiscal year 2023. Please note the time and date have been changed according to the BOC.
Whether you think you are getting your money’s worth as a taxpayer, or if you think the proposed rate is too high, you have the right to show up and let your voice be heard at these meetings. Once the proposed millage rates are passed, they’re in place until this time next year. If your property value drops before then, you’ll still have to pay the same millage rate.
Many factors (like location or any needed repairs) go into a home’s value. Consult a licensed real estate agent or certified financial planner for advice about your specific situation.
Even if you rent, the millage rate affects you. Those taxes pay for county services like building and running schools, or in the case of county taxes, things like fire and emergency services, bridge maintenance, and other county services. And landlords often pass along any increased costs in the form of higher rent.
Other taxes, like the Special Option Local Sales Tax (SPLOST), pay for specific projects. Those are the taxes you vote on directly at the polls. For examples of SPLOST projects in Clayton County, visit https://www.claytonsplost.com/.
