Have you gotten your property tax bill from GA tax assessors? Are you dreading the day it does come? For many home owners, property tax is a mystery. You know that it’s a hefty bill that shows up every year, based on a number that you didn’t have any say in, and you know that it can eat away at your savings. Whether you pay this cost monthly as part of your mortgage, or you pay it all at once when the bill arrives, it’s something that homeowners should take a closer look at. There is a way to save money on this bill, even if the GA tax assessors’ office you speak to says the number is final. Let’s dive into three things you should know about this bill.
Assessing Property Tax Is Complicated Guesswork
When you get your tax bill, do you look closely at how the value of your home was determined? You may be surprised to realize that this number isn’t always what you paid for your home. Instead, this value is based on the GA tax assessors’ estimate of what you could sell your house for today. This estimate is made of up of many factors, such as:
- The specific features of your home, like the square footage and number of bathrooms
- The curb appeal of your home, and any external features like a great view or a corner lot
- What comparable homes are selling for nearby
- Updates that have been made to your home
- The amenities of the area you live in
All in all, this boils down to the assessor’s experience in determining home value. While there are some specific calculations they use, many of the numbers are just…well, guesswork. And every county in Georgia has their own way of assigning value to certain characteristics. Some counties in the United States don’t count bathrooms, for instance, but instead count bathroom fixtures. If your home is older, some counties just assume that you’ve done renovations to update the appliances, even if you haven’t. This is why it can be important to know how your county assess value.
You Can Appeal the Tax Bill
The next thing to know is that you do have the right to appeal this property value if you believe it was assessed too highly. The fact is that most properties are over-assessed, and because homeowners aren’t aware that they can appeal, they often don’t. Another thing to be aware of is that voting in your local elections and issue ballots is one way to change your property tax rates. Local authorities and local tax rates make a huge difference in how your property tax is assessed
If you do want to appeal your bill, you’ll have to gather all the research that proves your home isn’t worth what the assessor says it is. You’ll need to have data such as what neighboring houses have sold for, how the neighborhood’s amenities affect home sales, and how any renovations you have done on your home may have changed its value since you purchased or built it. All of this research does take time and a good understanding of what affects property value, but it is worth it to save hundreds or even thousands on your tax bill.
When you do appeal the property value, the assessor can come back and take a closer look at your property, to prepare their own case. You have to have a very airtight argument that your bill is incorrect if you want the hearing board to rule in your favor.
The Best Way to Succeed Is with a Tax Expert
The last thing to know about your property tax bill is that there are professionals you can help you. Think of a property tax expert as the assessor that is on your side. We help you by doing all the research on your home’s true value, filing the appeal, and making sure that your argument is perfect for the hearing. We’ll even be there at the hearing with you so you don’t have to do it alone.
But tax experts can do more than just help with the appeals process. They can also help you find exemptions for more savings, and help you understand why the GA tax assessors evaluated your home so high to begin with. You can learn what you need to know to make sure that next year, you get the right value for your home the first time.
Experts offer you the best chance to succeed at the appeals hearing. When you go to the board, there is a good chance that they will deny your appeal. You can then appeal again, but after that, the bill is final. However, many cases all come down to how the homeowner presented their facts. During the hearing, you’ll be asked many questions about your home, the neighborhood, the real estate market, local taxes – things you may not know much about. We have a success rate of over 80%, because we do know about these things, and can answer all those questions and more.
So if you want to makes sure that your tax bill is correct, and that you aren’t paying too much year after year, hiring a tax expert to help with the appeal is the best way to start.
Contact Us to Learn More
At Fair Assessments, it’s our goal to make sure that all Georgia homeowners pay only what they should be paying, and not a penny more. We can assist you with all levels of the appeals process, starting with researching your case. Contact us today to learn more by emailing info@Fair-Assessment.com, or calling our office at 404-618-0355. We serve all areas around the Atlanta area, including Fulton County, Gwinnet County, DeKalb County, and more. We can also assist with commercial property tax appeals in the Atlanta area!
