Welcome to the Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance.

In the winter of 2007, a group of concerned Albemarle citizens rose up and spoke out against a massive tax increase proposed by county government. They educated taxpayers about a little-known state law (§ 58.1-3321) that requires counties and cities to lower the real estate tax rate by a proportional amount of any assessment increase

These citizens understood the law’s intent: to begin a new budgeting process with the same amount of money spent in the previous year, so that local government must justify any tax increase in a transparent manner. Last year, that law dropped our rate from 74¢ to 58¢, and we forced the discussion of how much to raise that rate above 58¢.

As a result of ATTA's efforts, the tax rate increased 6¢ less than it otherwise would have, to 68¢. $10 million stayed in the hands of taxpayers instead of government. In personal terms, we saved you $60 for every $100,000 of assessed value (multiply your home's assessed value by 0.0006, and the result is how much money ATTA saved YOU last year).

2008 will be no less a struggle. This year, all indications are that both state and local revenues will be below expectations. Although the county executive's current budget proposal recommends no increase in real estate tax rates, the process has just begun and there's no telling how much the Board of Supervisors will try to increase spending. ATTA will be protecting your interests every step of the way.

There are so many ways you can help. First, take some time to explore everything this site has to offer. Stay updated on all ATTA news either by email or feed. Follow the links at the top of the site to view our calendar of events, read our blog, contact us, and a number of other options. Our volunteer page shows the many ways you can help ATTA keep your taxes low. Finally, our donation page tells how you can invest in ATTA's mission.

Thanks for stopping by- now let's make a difference.