August 18, 2023
Voters could approve tax relief during the November referendum; plan will improve housing affordability and counter gentrification
DECATUR, Ga. – Today, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond proposed to the Board of Commissioners a tax cut that is projected to save DeKalb homeowners $1 billion over a six-year period.
In November, DeKalb County voters will have the opportunity to approve a $1 billion plan.
The relief would come from a proposed Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax (EHOST) credit for homeowners who qualify for a homestead exemption. If approved, this relief would begin in 2024.
“The proposed EHOST tax relief is part of a comprehensive strategy to improve housing affordability, counter gentrification, and increase the marketability of homes,” CEO Thurmond said.
Approved by voters in 2017, the total savings from the current EHOST will be approximately $738 million by the end of 2023.
Qualified DeKalb County homeowners will receive an Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax (EHOST) credit that reduces or offsets property tax liability.
The amount of property tax relief received by a qualified homeowner is based on the assessed value of the homestead property and sales tax revenue generated by EHOST.
The EHOST credit is not applied against taxes levied by DeKalb municipalities, school districts, or tax allocation districts.
###