House Bill 488 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Van SmithRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Chilton County; senior property tax exemption, authorized; constitutional amendment

Summary

HB488 would let Chilton County seniors 65+ claim a senior property tax exemption for their home, freezing its assessed value.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes a senior property tax exemption for real property in Chilton County owned by a person 65 or older who lives in a single-family, owner-occupied home that serves as their principal residence for at least five years before the first claim. If claimed, the assessed value for ad valorem taxes would be frozen for the year before the exemption is granted. The exemption would continue as long as the home remains the principal residence, and the owner would still be eligible for homestead and other exemptions; the property would still be subject to changes in millage rates. Claiming the exemption would begin October 1, 2027, for the value on October 1, 2026, and claims must be filed in writing with the Chilton County Revenue Commissioner between October 1 and December 31.

Who It Affects

• Senior homeowners age 65 or older who own and occupy a single-family, owner-occupied home in Chilton County as their principal residence
• Chilton County Revenue Commissioner and tax officials who will administer and process exemption claims
• Homeowners who make additions to the property after claiming the exemption, since added value would be taxed based on the increased assessed value after the exemption
• Other Chilton County taxpayers who could be affected by changes in tax exemptions and millage rates

Key Provisions

• Eligibility: 65+ age, owns real property in Chilton County, single-family owner-occupied home used as principal residence for at least five years before first claim
• Exemption effect: freezes the property's assessed value for the year before the claim and continues as long as the home remains the principal residence
• Tax rules with exemption: owner can still receive homestead and other exemptions; property remains subject to millage rate changes; additions after claiming are taxed based on the increased assessed value after the exemption
• Claim process and ratification: the exemption can be claimed starting October 1, 2027 for the value as of October 1, 2026, by filing in writing with the Chilton County Revenue Commissioner between October 1 and December 31; upon ratification the amendment becomes part of the Constitution and the Code Commissioner may make non-substantive revisions

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Chilton County