AppealDesk

Hamilton County Property Tax Appeal — Tennessee

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 16, 2026

Hamilton County is located in southeastern Tennessee along the Tennessee River, with its county seat in Chattanooga. Major population centers include Chattanooga, East Ridge, Collegedale, Red Bank, Soddy Daisy, and Signal Mountain. Property tax appeals are particularly important here because Hamilton County has higher-than-average property taxes for Tennessee, ranking 4th among 95 counties in median property tax collections. The county's median home value is approximately $250,900 to $315,000, which is higher than the state average of $137,300. With an effective property tax rate of 0.55% to 0.86% depending on municipality, Hamilton County property owners pay more than many Tennessee counties, making appeals a valuable tool for reducing tax burdens.

Notable cities: Chattanooga, East Ridge, Collegedale, Red Bank, Soddy Daisy, Signal Mountain

Median Home

$250,900

Tax Rate

0.56%

Annual Tax

$1,209

Population

Approximately 380,000

2026 Appeal Deadline: June 1-20, 2026 (specific deadline to be announced early 2026)

The Hamilton County Board of Equalization typically convenes on June 1 each year and accepts appeals through mid-June. The exact 2026 deadline will be announced in early 2026 and published in a newspaper of general circulation. Assessment notices are mailed by May 20, and the board hearing period begins June 1.

Property in Hamilton County, Tennessee — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Hamilton County Assesses Property

25%of market value

Assessed by: Hamilton County Assessor of Property

Assessment cycle: quadrennial (every four years)

Notices typically mailed: April-May (assessments complete and notices mailed by May 20)

In Hamilton County, your property tax is based on the assessed value, not the full market value. Tennessee law requires residential properties to be assessed at 25% of their appraised market value. For example, if your home's market value is $250,000, at Tennessee's 25% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $62,500, resulting in approximately $1,404 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 0.56%. The county conducted its most recent reappraisal in 2026, with the next scheduled for 2029.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the County Board of Equalization. The Board of Equalization hearing provides an opportunity to present your case with supporting evidence. You may attend alone or bring a representative such as an attorney or authorized agent, and you can present witnesses including appraisers or others with knowledge of your property.

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Step 1: Request an informal review with the Hamilton County Assessor's Office before filing a formal appeal. Contact the office at(423) 209-7990 to speak with an appraiser who can review your property information and comparable sales data with you.

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Step 2: If the informal review doesn't resolve your concerns, call(423) 209-7300 to request an official appeal form for the Hamilton County Board of Equalization. Gather supporting evidence including comparable sales data, recent independent appraisals, photographs of property condition, and repair estimates.

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Step 3: Complete and submit your appeal form before the deadline (typically mid-June). In accordance with Tennessee law, you must provide evidence to support your complaint, as appeals may be rejected without supporting documentation.

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Step 4: Attend your scheduled hearing before the Hamilton County Board of Equalization. The board consists of five members (three appointed by Hamilton County and two by the City of Chattanooga) who will review your evidence and the assessor's valuation.

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Step 5: If you disagree with the Board of Equalization's decision, you may appeal to the Tennessee State Board of Equalization on or before August 1 of the tax year, or within 45 days of receiving notice of the local board's decision, whichever is later.

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Step 6: If still unsatisfied after the State Board decision, you may file a petition in Hamilton County Chancery Court within 60 days from when the State Board order becomes final.

Required form: Appeal form available from Assessor's Office (call(423) 209-7300 to request)

Filing Methods

phone:Call Hamilton County Assessor at(423) 209-7300 to request appeal form
in-person:Visit Assessor's Office at 6135 Heritage Park Drive, Bonny Oaks, Chattanooga, TN 37416
mail:Mail completed appeal form to 6135 Heritage Park Drive, Bonny Oaks, Chattanooga, TN 37416

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales of similar propertiesIndependent appraisal reportsPhotographs showing property condition or defectsRepair estimates or documentation of needed improvementsDocumentation of unique property characteristics affecting value

Hamilton County Assessor Contact

Hamilton County Assessor of Property

Phone: (423) 209-7300

Address: 6135 Heritage Park Drive, Bonny Oaks, Chattanooga, TN 37416

Website: https://assessor.hamiltontn.gov/

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (except holidays)

Tax Exemptions in Hamilton County

Tax Relief Program for Low-Income Elderly

Varies based on income and home value; state pays relief up to property tax owed

State-funded tax relief program that reimburses eligible homeowners for part or all of paid property taxes. Hamilton County matches up to half of the state tax relief amount.

Eligibility: Age 65 or older by end of tax year, meet income limits, property is primary residenceDeadline: April 3, 2026

Tax Relief for Disabled Homeowners

Based on taxes owed on up to $27,000 market value

Tax relief payment for permanently and totally disabled homeowners, reimbursing property taxes on up to $27,000 of the home's market value.

Eligibility: Permanently and totally disabled as validated by Disability Determination Services by December 31 of application yearDeadline: April 3, 2026

Disabled Veterans Tax Relief

$986.63 state relief plus Hamilton County match; applies to first $175,000 of market value

Tax relief for disabled veterans with 100% service-connected disability, combat-related disability, or prisoner of war status. Relief applies to first $175,000 of market value, and Hamilton County matches state relief.

Eligibility: 100% disability rating from VA, combat-related disability, or former prisoner of war; must provide VA documentationDeadline: April 3, 2026

Greenbelt Agricultural Assessment

Assessed at use value rather than market value (significant reduction)

Reduced assessment for qualifying agricultural, forest, or open space land used for agricultural purposes.

Eligibility: Land must be in qualifying agricultural use with minimum acreage requirementsDeadline: March 1 annually

Property Tax Freeze Program

Freezes tax amount at qualifying year level

Allows eligible homeowners to freeze property taxes at the amount owed in the year they first qualify, protecting against future increases from reappraisals or rate changes.

Eligibility: Age 65 or older, meet income limits (check with county as limits change), property is primary residence; not all counties participateDeadline: Contact Hamilton County Trustee at(423) 209-7799 for availability and deadlines

Official Resources

Hamilton County Assessor of Property Website →

Official site for property searches, assessment information, and appeal forms for Hamilton County.

Tennessee State Board of Equalization - Value Appeals →

State-level appeal information, online filing system, and guidance for appealing county board decisions.

Hamilton County Property Tax Relief Application →

Information and applications for tax relief programs for elderly, disabled, and veteran homeowners.

Hamilton County Trustee - Property Tax Inquiry →

Look up your property tax bills, payment history, and current assessed values online.

Hamilton County Appeal Statistics

Avg Reduction

$650

Check Your Hamilton County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Hamilton County property is overassessed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Hamilton County for 2026?
The Hamilton County Board of Equalization typically begins hearing appeals on June 1 each year, with the filing deadline usually in mid-June (historically June 6-20). The specific deadline for the 2026 appeal process will be announced in early 2026 and published in a local newspaper. Assessment notices are mailed by May 20, giving property owners approximately two to three weeks to file appeals. It's crucial to act quickly once you receive your assessment notice, as missing the deadline means waiting until the next reappraisal cycle to appeal.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Hamilton County?
To file an appeal in Hamilton County, first request an informal review by calling the Assessor's Office at(423) 209-7990 to discuss your concerns with an appraiser. If the informal review doesn't resolve the issue, call(423) 209-7300 to request an official appeal form for the County Board of Equalization. You must submit the completed form along with supporting evidence such as comparable sales data, independent appraisals, or documentation of property defects before the June deadline. Tennessee law requires you to provide evidence to support your appeal, or it may be rejected. You can submit forms in person at 6135 Heritage Park Drive, Bonny Oaks, or by mail to the same address.
What evidence do I need for a successful Hamilton County property tax appeal?
According to Tennessee Code § 67-5-1407, Hamilton County property owners must provide substantial evidence to support their appeal or it may be rejected. The most effective evidence includes recent sales of comparable properties in your neighborhood, an independent professional appraisal showing a lower value than the county's assessment, photographs documenting property condition or defects, repair estimates for needed improvements, and documentation of unique characteristics that negatively affect your property's value. You can use the county's sales comparison tool on the Assessor's website to research comparable properties before your hearing. The more comprehensive and specific your evidence, the better your chances of a successful appeal.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Hamilton County?
Property tax appeal savings in Hamilton County vary depending on your property's overassessment, but successful appeals average around $650 in annual tax savings according to available data. With Hamilton County's effective tax rate of approximately 0.56% for county taxes (or 1.12% combined for Chattanooga residents), every $10,000 reduction in assessed value saves approximately $56-112 annually. Given that residential properties are assessed at 25% of market value, a successful appeal reducing your market value by $40,000 would decrease your assessed value by $10,000, resulting in $56-112 in annual savings. These savings continue each year until the next reappraisal, multiplying your total benefit over the four-year reappraisal cycle.
What happens at a Board of Equalization hearing in Hamilton County?
At your Hamilton County Board of Equalization hearing, you'll present your case to a five-member board (three appointed by the county and two by the City of Chattanooga) who will review the evidence you've submitted and the assessor's valuation. You may attend alone or bring a representative such as an attorney, and you can present witnesses including appraisers or others with knowledge of your property. A representative from the county assessor's office will also attend to present their assessment justification. The board will review all properly submitted evidence, ask questions, and make a determination based on the property's fair market value. Hearings are formal but straightforward, focusing on factual evidence rather than arguments about tax burden or ability to pay.
Can I appeal my Hamilton County property tax assessment if I just bought my home?
Yes, you can appeal your Hamilton County property tax assessment even if you recently purchased your home, though your recent purchase price may actually work against you in the appeal. The county assessor uses recent sales data to establish market values, so if you paid market price, the assessment likely reflects that transaction. However, you can still appeal if you believe the assessment exceeds fair market value due to factors like property condition issues not reflected in the sale, declining market conditions after your purchase, or errors in how the assessor recorded your property's characteristics. You should request an informal review first by calling(423) 209-7990, and then file a formal appeal if necessary before the June deadline.
What is the Hamilton County property tax rate for 2026?
Hamilton County's base property tax rate is $2.2373 per $100 of assessed value for county services. However, if you live within a municipality, you pay additional city taxes. For example, Chattanooga residents pay a combined rate of $4.4873 per $100 of assessed value ($2.2373 county + $2.2500 city). Remember that Tennessee assesses residential properties at 25% of market value, so a $250,000 home has an assessed value of $62,500. The effective tax rate (what you actually pay as a percentage of market value) is approximately 0.56% for county-only areas and 1.12% for Chattanooga residents. These rates may be adjusted after the 2026 reappraisal cycle, so check with the Hamilton County Trustee or your city tax office for the most current rates.
What property tax relief and exemptions are available in Hamilton County?
Hamilton County offers several property tax relief programs, though it's important to understand that Tennessee doesn't have a traditional homestead exemption that reduces assessments. The main relief options include: the Tax Relief Program for low-income elderly (age 65+), disabled homeowners, and disabled veterans, with Hamilton County matching up to half of state relief amounts; disabled veterans with 100% service-connected disability receive $986.63 in state relief plus county match on the first $175,000 of home value; and the Property Tax Freeze Program which freezes taxes at qualifying year levels for eligible seniors. Applications for these programs must be submitted by April 3, 2026. You can apply through the Hamilton County Trustee's Office or the City of Chattanooga Treasurer. Contact the Trustee at(423) 209-7799 for appointments and detailed eligibility requirements.

For state-wide appeal information including Tennessee's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Tennessee Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Tennessee Counties

Davidson County (Nashville)Knox County (Knoxville)Rutherford County (Murfreesboro)Shelby County (Memphis)Sumner County (Hendersonville)Williamson County (Franklin)
← All Tennessee property tax appeal info

Sources: https://assessor.hamiltontn.gov/ | https://www.hamiltontn.gov/AssessorOfProperty.aspx | https://comptroller.tn.gov/boards/state-board-of-equalization/value-appeals.html | https://chattanooga.gov/pay-and-apply/permits-applications/property-tax-relief | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/tennessee/hamilton-county

Last verified: 2026-02-16