The median effective Hall County tax rate is at 0.80% of property value, as computed from the median property tax of $1,394 and median home value of $175,200. At this rate, Hall County is considered as one of the Georgia counties with the highest property taxes – 20th by median property taxes and 65th by median tax as a percentage of property value. The higher property taxes here can be partly attributed to the higher median property values in the county as against the rest of Georgia (i.e., $175,200 to $162,800 respectively).
Upon closer inspection, you will also observe factors that affect the Hall County tax rate. Let’s take a look at a few of these important matters and, in the process, gain a better understanding of your property taxes.
Who Decides the Property Value?
The Board of Assessors determines the personal and real property to be taxed and the values of the property for tax purposes. Each year, you have the opportunity to declare a proposed value for your real and personal property, which are declared as filing a return at the Tax Assessor’s Office. The opportunity is provided between January 1 and April 1 every year.
The Board of Assessors also has the authority to review your submitted proposed property value. If the board disagrees with your proposed value, you will receive via mail an assessment notice that contains the board’s own valuation.
With the median effective Hall County tax rate at present, the higher the property valuation provided by the board, the higher your property taxes will be.
What Can be Done to Appeal?
Let’s say that you and the Board of Assessors do not see eye to eye about the property value or the tax estimate. You can exercise your right to appeal it within 45 days of the date of the assessment notice; check the date on the notice since the tax assessor’s office has strict rules about the 45-day window for appeal.
Your basis for appeal can be the value, taxability, and uniformity as well as the denial of homestead exemptions. You should ideally have tax assessment and appraiser experts, such as Fair Assessments, for the appeal because of the complexity of the grounds for appeal. You will initially file the written appeal with the Board of Tax Assessors but be sure to include information about your preference for the second level of appeal.
How Is The Tax Calculated?
Keep in mind that the median effective Hall County tax rate is not the actual tax rate per se. When you and the Board of Assessors have agreed about the appropriate value for the property, the latter provides the Tax Commissioner with the necessary information to calculate your property taxes.
Your tax will be calculated in the following manner:
Assessed value (i.e., 40% of the appraised value) xxx
Less: Applicable exemptions xxx
Net assessed value/taxable value xxx
Multiply: Millage rate xxx
Tax due xxx
The bottom line: The Hall County tax rate 0.80% should not be multiplied with the assessed value of your property. Otherwise, you can end up with an inflated tax or an understated tax such as the median being affected by exemptions that are not available to you.
