SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — Some South Fulton residents are complaining about an unexpected tax increase. The issue has many worried about seniors who own their homes outright and those on a fixed income.
“We recently learned of a new adjustment made to taxes only by accident,” Certified aging service professional Ellen Miller-Mapp said.
Miller-Mapp is trying to get the word out to South Fulton residents to double-check their tax bill, even if it was recently paid. The concern comes after multiple residents took to social media complaining about unexpected charges.
“The rate has changed for some reason and it raised their tax. They already paid their regular property tax in November when the bill was sent to them, but now they have a new tax to pay, which is irregular,” added Miller-Mapp.
11Alive reached out to the county and was told the tax assessor's office is looking into the matter and will work with homeowners directly. But, Miller-Mapp said knowledge of additional tax changes is just part of the problem.
“If you have a $700 tax and that then becomes $1,400, most seniors just don’t have that kind of money laying around, and they may not have family or resources to help to get that, and in the meantime, penalties and interest are mounting up,” said Miller-Mapp.
And since many South Fulton seniors own their homes outright, the concern is they could lose their property.
“They won’t have a home, they won’t have a place to live. There’s already a shortage of affordable housing, especially for low-income seniors,” Miller-Mapp added.
That’s why community advocates say it’s important to get the word out.
“Making sure that neighbors are aware if residents don’t wake up and take an active role, many of them will lose their homes,” said Pamala Harris.