Two new laws will limit how much the taxable value of a Cherokee County home can grow for school tax purposes, starting January 1, 2027. One passed statewide. The other was approved specifically for Cherokee County by voters just last week.
What’s happening: A statewide law passed during the 2024 legislative session caps how much the taxable value of a primary home can increase each year for school taxes. The cap is either the rate of inflation or 3%, whichever is lower. A second law, Senate Bill 407, was approved by Cherokee County voters November 3 and adds a separate local cap of 4% per year on the same school taxes.
What’s important: Cherokee County Schools had previously chosen not to participate in the statewide cap for 2025 and 2026. That option no longer exists. Senate Bill 33, passed earlier this year, removed the ability of local school districts to opt out, meaning Cherokee County Schools must now follow the statewide cap along with the additional local one…