Notice of Property Tax Increase; FY2027 Proposed Millage Rate

The Mayor and Council of the City of Canton have tentatively adopted a millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 13.72 percent.

All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held at City Hall, Council Chambers, 110 Academy Street, Canton, Georgia 30114, on July 2, 2026 at 6 PM.

Times and places of additional hearings on this tax increase are at City Hall, Council Chambers, 110 Academy Street, Canton, Georgia 30114, on July 16, 2026 at 6 PM and on August 6, 2026 at 6PM.

This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 6.000 mills, an increase of 0.724 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 5.276 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $450,000 is approximately $130.32 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $250,000 is approximately $72.40.

Notice of Property Tax Increase Explanation

The advertised millage rate of 6.000 mills is not the final adopted rate. It establishes the maximum rate City Council may consider during the public hearing process. The City Council may adopt a lower rate after reviewing updated information and receiving public input.

Advertising a rate of 6.000 mills allows the City Council to proceed with the millage rate and budget public hearing process while monitoring a potential increase in the cost of fire services, which are provided by Cherokee County. Changes in the County’s Fire Millage Rate have a direct impact on the City’s overall millage rate and budget planning.

Understanding Millage Rates and Property Taxes

The millage rate is the tax rate that is used to calculate property taxes. Property tax is one of many revenue sources used to fund basic City services, such police, fire, parks, and road maintenance. One mill equals $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed value of real and personal property. The City of Canton’s current millage rate is 5.25 mills, the lowest in the City’s history.

 How Property Taxes Are Calculated

1. The Cherokee County Tax Assessor determines the fair market value of your property.
2. The millage rate applies to a property’s assessed value, which is forty percent (40%) of the fair market value.
3. The assessed value is divided by one thousand and multiplied by the millage rate to determine the amount of tax due.
4. The Cherokee County Tax Commissioner sends the tax bill and collects payment on behalf of the City.

Example calculation for a typical home:

Assessed Value ÷ 1,000 x Millage Rate = Property Tax Due

• Fair Market Value: $400,000
• Assessed Value (40%): $160,000
• Millage Rate: 5.25 mills
• $160,000 ÷ 1,000 = 160
• 160 x 5.25 = $840 in City property taxes

Homestead Exemptions

The City of Canton offers several homestead exemptions that can reduce property taxes on your primary residence.

• Floating Homestead Exemption: caps the growth in property values to the lower of 3% or the rate of inflation.
• Senior Tax Exemption (age 62 and up): exempts up to $280,000 of a property’s fair market value, or $112,000 of assessed value.

Homeowners may contact the Cherokee County Tax Assessor to apply for any homestead exemption (eligibility requirements apply). Applications are due by April 1 for the current tax year.

Helpful Links

Cherokee County Tax Assessor

Cherokee County Tax Commissioner

City of Canton Interactive City Map

Canton's Millage Rate History

The current millage rate for the City of Canton is 5.25 mills, the lowest rate in the history of the City of Canton!

The table below provides a twenty-year history of millage rates: