FAQs
Animal Shelter
If your pet is not readily identifiable with either a tag or chip or collar with identification, your pet will be held at the shelter monitored and observed for health and behavioral issues to verify if the pet is adoptable, which is required by the State and City/County regulations before a pet is adopted.
Please note that McDuffie County Animal Services holds all stray/or unidentifiable animals for 3 days and 5 days with collar. After the 5-day holding period, animals are available for adoption and rescue.
If you find your pet is missing, please contact the McDuffie County Animal Shelter as soon as possible .
You may send a photo of your pet to animalservices@thomson-mcduffie.gov. Animals may also be posted on our Facebook page. Please provide a description of your animal, contact information, and the date and location he/she was last seen.
Come to the shelter and view the animals. This is the best way to see if your missing pet is here. Please note that McDuffie County Animal Services holds all stray animals for 3 days and 5 days with collar. After the 5-day holding period, animals are available for adoption and rescue.
Owners wishing to reclaim their animals will need to provide proof of ownership. If the animal is not current on rabies, a rabies vaccination must be administered by a local veterinarian immediately after the animal is released. There is a $20.00 reclaim fee per animal for any animals brought into the animal shelter. All fees must be paid at time of release.
Please bring a valid Driver’s License or State-issued ID if reclaiming a pet.
Spaying or neutering is not required for reclaimed pets, although the Shelter encourages responsible sterilization of pets to prevent unwanted litters. Spay and neuter is an answer for stopping millions of wonderful animals from being put to sleep every year.
The Shelter encourages the public to IMMEDIATELY report acts of animal cruelty, dog fighting by calling the City Police, Sheriff’s Department or the Shelter. You may also file complaints of neglect to the Shelter. Messages or calls of this nature will be investigated as soon as possible.
The cost to surrender your pet:
Dog $25
Cat $15
Kitten or Puppy Litter (Same Litter/Quantity 2-6)$30
Kitten or Puppy Litter (Same Litter/Quantity 7+) $40
If your pet is missing, it is important that you contact the Animal Shelter as soon as possible so that a missing pet report can be completed and shelter staff can be notified to look for your pet.
It is also important that you contact any Veterinarian Clinics to check to see if the pet has been surrendered to them. Please remember that it is the responsibility of the pet owner to search for their missing pet; however, the Shelter will do everything possible to assist you in doing so.
Yes! Our shelter ensures all adopted animals are microchipped.
Statistics show that micro-chipped pets have a very high percentage of being returned home safely. We check each animal that comes into our shelter for a microchip, as is mandated by state law.
Board of Assessors
Property tax is an ad valorem tax based upon the value of property, both real and personal. Real property is defined as land and generally anything that is erected, or affixed to the land. Personal property is boats, airplanes, business inventory, and any equipment, furniture, and fixtures needed to run a business.
Property taxes are charged against the owner of the property of January 1st, and against the property itself if the owner is not known. Property tax returns are to be filed between January 1st and April 1st with the county Board of Assessors office.
Fair Market Value
The Assessors are charged with establishing the fair market value of the taxable real and personal properties in McDuffie County. Fair market value means "the amount a knowledgeable buyer would pay for the property and a willing seller would accept for the property at an arm's length, bona fide sale."
The Board of Assessors does not create property values. Assessors and appraisers merely interpret what is happening in the market place. The appraised value is simply the estimate of what the property is worth.
Appraisal Procedures
The Assessors use standard approaches in setting the value on all real and personal property. There are three approaches to value:
- COST APPROACH: The cost approach uses actual replacement cost of the building, less general depreciation, plus the value of the land.
- MARKET APPROACH: The market approach involves analyzing sales of similar properties to predict the likely selling price of unsold properties.
- INCOME APPROACH: The income approach is used for income-producing properties. It involves capitalizing the net income to arrive at a probable selling price for the property.
Special Assessment Programs
There are special assessment programs available to taxpayers. These special programs include:
Preferential Agricultural Property
Bona fide agricultural property can be assessed at 75 percent of the assessment of other property. This means that this type of property is assessed at 30 percent of fair market value rather than 40 percent. Property that qualifies for this special assessment must be maintained in its current use for a period of ten years.
Conservation Use Property
Bona fide agricultural property can be assessed at its current use value rather than the fair market value. Property that qualifies for this special assessment must be maintained in a current use for a period of ten years.
Environmentally Sensitive Property
Property can be assessed at its current use value rather than the fair market value when such property is maintained in its natural condition and meets the requirements set by the Department of Natural Resources. Property that qualifies for this special assessment must be maintained in a current use for a period of ten years.
Residential Transitional Property
Property can be assessed at its current use value, rather than fair market value, when it is used for residential purposes but located in an area that is changing to, or being developed for, a use other than residential.
Timber
Standing timber is not taxed until sold or harvested, at which time it is taxed based upon 100 percent of its fair market value. There are three types of sales and harvests that are taxable:
- lump sum sales where the timber is sold at a specific price regardless of volume
- unit price sales where the timber is sold or harvested based on a specific price per volume
- owner harvests where a land owner harvests his own timber and sells it by volume.
Equipment, Machinery, and Fixtures
Equipment, machinery, and fixtures are assessed at 40 percent of fair market value. The tax assessor may value the equipment, machinery, and fixtures of a going business to reflect the fair market value of the business as a whole. When no ready market exists for the sale of equipment, machinery, and fixtures, a fair market value may be determined by resorting to any reasonable, relevant, and useful information available. This information may include, but is not limited to, the original cost of the property, depreciation or obsolescence, and any increase in value by reason of inflation. Other determining factors include:
- existing zoning of property
- existing use of property
- existing covenant or restrictions in deed dedicating the property to a particular use
- any other important factors
Tax assessors have access to any public records in order to discover such information.
Homestead, School, Disabled Veterans, and Preferential Agriculture:
Property tax is one of the primary sources of revenue for McDuffie County. It is used to fund police and fire services, education, roads, bridges, water, parks, and other county services. The basis for property tax is the fair market value of the property, which is established on January 1 of each year. The tax is levied on the assessment value, which by law is established at 40 percent of fair market value. The amount of tax is determined by the millage rate. (One mill of tax is equal to $1 per $1,000 of assessed value.)
You must file for homestead between January 2 and April 1 for the Homestead to be granted for current years taxes. If you file after April 1, then the exemption will apply to the following year.
Special Exemptions:
You may be eligible for conservation use or preferential agricultural assessment exemption if you are in good faith agricultural/forest production. This would include; producing plants, trees, fowl or animals, or the production of aquaculture, horticulture, floriculture, forestry, dairy, livestock, poultry and apiarian products.
With both programs, you enter into a 10 year covenant with McDuffie County whereby you agree to continue your property in agricultural or forestry production. Agricultural preferential assessment generally provides a 25 percent advantage over fair market value. Conservation use can offer significant savings, in some cases greater than 50 percent of fair market value.
Residential Transitional Exemption:
If you live in an area that is in a transition form from residential to commercial use, and it is affecting the value of your property, you may apply for a residential transitional assessment covenant. This is also a 10-year covenant. For all three, apply between January 2 and April 1.
Other Homestead Exemptions:
There are a few exemptions for residents who are 62 and older:
No Income Requirement:
65 and Older
$4k off county
$30K off school
Income Requirement: (Fixed Income)
Beginning at 62 years of age
$15K off county
$15K off school
65 and Older (H-65c form)
$15K off county
$30K off school
After the assessors establish a new value on a piece of property, the tax payer is sent a notice of assessment. The assessment informs you of the new proposed valuation of your property. You have 45 days to appeal the new valuation if you feel its incorrect. The appeal must be filed in writing. Late appeals are invalid.
Basis for appeal
After you have given careful consideration to the value placed on your property and if you feel its incorrect, your appeal should be based on one of the following areas of appeal:
- TAXABILITY: Is the property taxable or does it qualify for exempt status?
- UNIFORMITY: Does the property value compare with the value of similar properties?
- VALUE: Is the property value too high or too low?
Appeals Process
When you file an appeal, the Board of Tax Assessors reviews the property and determines whether a change in the valuation is warranted. If no change is made, it will then go to the next level of appeal that was chosen at the time of appeal. If you chose the Board of Equalization, it would proceed to them. Their specific function is to hear unresolved appeals from taxpayers. After hearing both the assessors and the taxpayer's position, the Board of Equalization renders a decision on the valuation.
If either side disagrees with the decision of the Board of Equalization, the taxpayer or the assessor may proceed to the next level of appeal, McDuffie County Superior Court.
The tax rate, or millage, is set annually. A tax rate of one mill represents a tax liability of one dollar per $1,000 of assessed value.
Example:
The assessed value -- 40 percent of the fair market value -- of a house that is worth $100,000 is $40,000. In a county where the millage rate is 25 mills the property tax on that house would be $1,000; $25 for every $1,000 of assessed value or $25 multiplied by 40 is $1,000.
Municipal Court
Yes. Please see: How can I obtain a continuance? Note: You must provide documentation with proof that this circumstance applied at the time of the hearing.
If you are unable to pay your ticket(s) in full by credit/debit card via online or phone, then you will need to appear in court as scheduled.
Yes, you can pay your citation before court as long as your case is not a mandatory court appearance. You can satisfy your citation by doing one of the following:
You can pay your citation in person at the Thomson Municipal Court. You may pay your fine during regular business hours with a money order or cashiers check made payable to: City of Thomson.
You can pay your citation via mail. A money order or cashier’s check payable to City of Thomson mailed to be received prior to the court date, to:
Thomson Municipal Court
P.O. Box 1017
Thomson, GA 30824
You can pay your citation online: thomsonpay.com
You can pay your citation by phone: 470-289-5307
If you are interested in reducing points, then you will need to appear in court as scheduled.
The Municipal Court may issue continuances under certain circumstances. They are:
- Death in Family
- Hospitalization
- Incarceration
- Court date in another court
- Mandatory test in school
- Military Leave
Written documentation must be provided to the Clerk of Court no later than 48 hours prior to your court date.
You may apply for a public defender on your court date. You will be required to fill out a financial affidavit. Court personnel will look over your application and determine if you qualify to have a public defender assigned to your case. We determine this by using the poverty level guidelines for all states, published in the Federal Register. If you qualify, a court date will be reassigned. If you do not qualify, you will have to determine what plea you want to enter and if deemed necessary, a new court date will be set.
You may register your email address online to be notified when your ticket information is available. You may also contact the Clerk's office directly for assistance.
Please contact the Clerk's office directly for assistance.
If the Department of Driver's Services receives notification of your conviction for speeding at 75mph or more on a two-lane road or highway, or at 85mph and above on any road or highway in the State of Georgia, you will be notified by first class mail of the $200 Super Speeder fee. This is in addition to the fine you have already paid to the issuing city or county. Government Window does not process payments for Super Speeder fines.
If you are attempting to pay your ticket(s) on your scheduled court date or if you've already missed your court date, you may not be able to pay it online or by phone. Please contact the Clerk's office directly for assistance.
Please try a different web browser such as Internet Explorer (version 10+), Firefox, Google Chrome, or Safari. If the problem persists, please call our Customer Service Department at 1-877-575-7233.
Only enter the numerical digits of your driver's license number.
If you are attempting to pay your ticket on or after your court date, the system may not be able to locate your ticket because it is not payable. Please contact the Clerk's office directly for assistance.
No, if you pay your ticket, you are pleading guilty to the charges and do not have to go to court. However, please note that this may be subject to points being added to your license.
If you do not agree with your ticket fine(s), then you will need to appear in court as scheduled.
Yes, the service fee is the same for payments processed over the phone as they are online.
If you are unable to pay your ticket(s) in full by credit/debit card via online or phone, then you will need to appear in court as scheduled.
If you fail to pay your citation or fail to appear in court on your assigned court date, a $100.00 late fee will be added to your case. Your license may be suspended and/or a warrant could be issued for your arrest for failure to appear.
Government Window is a 3rd party company that processes electronic payments via credit/debit cards and e-checks for traffic tickets, property taxes, business licenses, bail, probation, utilities, and many other payment types for government offices.
No. You will be required to pay the fine in full plus a contempt fee of $100 for having failed to appear, and the warrant will be recalled. You will also be given a form to take to the Georgia Department of Driver Services to get your license reinstated if it has already been suspended. The payment of the fine will finalize and close out your case.
Police
To find out if someone has been arrested and is still in jail, you must contact the McDuffie County Law Enforcement Center at 706-595-2040.
To obtain a background check or fingerprinting contact the McDuffie County Law Enforcement Center at 706-595-2040.
To report a crime within the city limits of Thomson, dial 911. Using our E911 system ensures your call for assistance is logged properly and an Officer is dispatched to you in a timely manner.
Download this form. Fill it out and turn it into your insurance company. We do not need to be notified.
All reports produced by the Thomson Police Department can be picked up at the office between the hours of 8:30am and 5:00pm. Our office is located at:
309 Main Street
Thomson, Ga. 30824
Please allow 5 business days for completion.
If you have any questions about picking up a report, you can call 706-595-2166.
Property Tax
Property tax is an ad valorem tax, which means according to value. Ad valorem tax, the tax collected by the Tax Commissioner, is based on the value of the taxable property in the County.
Assessed value is defined as being 40% of the fair market value (100%). Property tax in Georgia is taxed at the assessed value.
Exemptions -
McDuffie County offers a variety of exemptions for land owners. The Tax Assessor's Office is responsible for handling and approving all applications.
Interest and Penalties -
Property tax bills are mailed out by September 15th and due November 15th of each year. Interest is calculated monthly beginning the 16th of each month.
(The rate is Prime rate plus 3 divided by 12). The penalty is 5% every 120 days - 20% max.
***A FI.FA. (tax lien ) which is reported on your credit report and is filed with the Clerk of Court is placed on the property 30 days after the tax bill becomes delinquent.****
All real estate and personal property are taxable unless the law has exempted the property. (O.C.G.A 48-5-3). Real property is land and generally anything that is affixed to the land; personal property is everything that can be owned that is not real estate. Personal property consists of inventory and fixtures used in conducting business, boats, aircraft, farm machinery, motor vehicles and mobile homes.
The Board of Assessor's and their staff have the responsibility of determining the value of property in McDuffie County. Each year between January 1st - April 1st every property owner has the ability to declare a proposed value of their property (O.C.G.A 48.5.9). These values are declared in the manner of "filing a return". This process is done with the McDuffie County Tax Assessor's Office.
Search Tips and Tricks
Yes. The website indexes web pages as well as PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, and text documents.
No. By default, the search results will show matches for any word within the phrase. In this example, you would receive results for all web pages and documents that contained either the word alarm or the word permit or both.
In order to search on an exact phrase, enclose your search phrase in quotations. The search results for "alarm permit" will show matches for that exact phrase.
Yes. You can exclude words by using the minus sign (-). In order to find the results of all pages that have alarm in the result but not permit, you would search for alarm -permit.
