Each taxpayer who was assessed and who paid a higher amount of state, county, or municipal ad valorem tax as a result of the completion of a countywide property reappraisal, and the implementation of the newly appraised property values as the tax base in that county, between October 1, 1975, and November 7, 1978, shall be entitled to a credit against his tax liability arising under the same tax or taxes, in the amount of the increase which resulted from said reappraisal, to be used during such tax year or years as the taxpayer elects until the credit is exhausted.
Ala. Code § 40-8-5 (1975)