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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Cheatham County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Cheatham County, TN. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
2.25% of assessed value (varies by municipality and special districts within county)
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Cheatham County, Tennessee operates under a property tax system that serves as the primary funding mechanism for essential local services including public schools, law enforcement, fire protection, road maintenance, and county administration. Property owners in Cheatham County pay taxes based on their property's assessed value, which is determined annually as of January 1st. The effective tax rate varies significantly depending on your specific location within the county due to different municipal boundaries and special taxing districts.

The county's property tax rate for 2025 is 2.25 percent of assessed value, though this base rate can be higher in incorporated cities and special districts within Cheatham County. Tennessee assesses residential property at 25% of market value, meaning a $400,000 home would have an assessed value of $100,000 for tax calculation purposes. Property owners should be aware that their actual tax bill depends not only on the county rate but also on any additional municipal taxes and special assessments that apply to their specific property location.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
Cheatham County Base Rate2.25%County general fund, schools, and basic services
Municipal RatesVariesAdditional rates apply within city limits (contact local municipality)
Special DistrictsVariesFire districts, utility districts, and other special assessments
School DistrictIncluded in baseFunding for Cheatham County Schools

Rates shown are for FY 2025 and apply to assessed value (25% of market value for residential property). Actual tax rates vary by location within Cheatham County depending on municipal incorporation and special taxing district membership. Contact the Cheatham County Assessor's office to determine the exact rate for your specific property location.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Cheatham County, property taxes are due in two installments:

Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in Cheatham County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes to property ownership, value, or use during the tax year. The most common triggers include new construction completion, property improvements that increase assessed value, changes in property classification (such as loss of agricultural use), or corrections to assessment errors discovered after the initial tax roll is prepared.

When a supplemental assessment is issued, the additional tax is calculated based on the difference between the old and new assessed values, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining after the change occurred. For example, if a $50,000 home addition is completed and assessed in January, increasing your assessed value by $12,500 (25% of market value), you would owe additional tax on that $12,500 for the full tax year. However, if the same addition was completed in July, you would only owe tax for the remaining months of that tax year.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (25%): $75,000
  • Tax Credits Applied: None (example assumes no credits filed)
  • Net Taxable Value: $75,000
  • Annual Tax (2.25%): $1,688
  • Monthly Escrow: $141

Example 2: $600,000 Home with Tax Relief

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (25%): $150,000
  • Tax Credits Applied: $25,000 elderly/disabled homeowner relief (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $125,000
  • Annual Tax (2.25%): $2,813
  • Monthly Escrow: $234

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (25%): $250,000
  • Tax Credits Applied: None (example assumes no credits filed)
  • Net Taxable Value: $250,000
  • Annual Tax (2.25%): $5,625
  • Monthly Escrow: $469

All tax credits require separate applications and approval. Rates shown are base county rates and may be higher in municipalities and special districts.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Cheatham County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property tax payments, particularly when the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80%. Your lender will estimate your annual property tax bill and divide it by 12 to determine your monthly escrow payment. This amount is collected along with your mortgage payment and held in a separate account until taxes are due.

Property taxes in Cheatham County are due in September each year, at which time your lender will pay the bill directly from your escrow account. Lenders typically conduct an annual escrow analysis to ensure adequate funds are available and will adjust your monthly payment if necessary. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your monthly escrow payment may increase accordingly. Property owners should review their annual escrow statements and can request account information from their lender at any time to verify proper tax payments.

How HonestCasa Helps
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  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Cheatham County? A: Property taxes for FY 2025 are due in September. Tangible personal property schedules must be filed by March 1st, and county assessment appeals are due in June.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: Tax relief is available for low-income elderly and disabled homeowners, as well as disabled veteran homeowners and their surviving spouses. All credits require separate applications and are NOT automatically applied. Contact the Cheatham County Assessor's office for application forms and eligibility requirements.

Q: How does the homestead exemption work in Tennessee? A: Tennessee does not have a traditional homestead exemption that reduces assessed value. However, tax freeze programs are available for qualifying elderly and disabled homeowners that limit assessment increases. Applications are due 35 days past the property tax delinquency date and require annual filing.

Q: When are properties reassessed in Cheatham County? A: All property ownership records, assessments, and tax maps must reflect property status as of January 1st of each tax year. The county assessor conducts ongoing assessments and can correct errors in coding, entry, or transcription when documentation clearly establishes an error occurred.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Late payment penalties and interest charges apply to delinquent property taxes in Cheatham County. Contact the County Trustee's office for specific penalty rates and payment options for delinquent accounts.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Contact the Cheatham County Trustee's office for current online payment options and accepted payment methods for property taxes.

Q: Why is my tax rate different from my neighbor's? A: Tax rates vary within Cheatham County based on municipal boundaries and special taxing districts. Properties within city limits pay additional municipal taxes, while properties in fire districts, utility districts, or other special service areas pay additional assessments for those services.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the county by June. Contact the Cheatham County Assessor's office for appeal forms and specific deadlines for the current tax year.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
Fund 101 - Generalcheathamcountytn.gov
02
February-18-Metro-Council-2014- ...nashville.gov
03
Minutescheathamcountytn.gov
04
Assessment Schedule - Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasurycomptroller.tn.gov
05
Frequently Asked Questions - Assessor of Propertycheathamcountytn.gov
06
Tangible Personal Propertycomptroller.tn.gov
07
https://montgomerytn.gov/storage/departments/asses...montgomerytn.gov
08
Tax Doc
Property Tax Reliefcheathamcountytn.gov
09
Trustee's Officecheathamcountytn.gov
10
private actscheathamcountytn.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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