Residents in Metropolitan Atlanta counties face a kind of double-edged sword when it comes to home values. Property values have risen by 5.6% over the past year, and are currently projected to increase by another 9.8% in the coming 12 months, according to the Atlanta Business Journal. In terms of investment, that's good news, but the 49% increase in home values over the past five years has created a corresponding tax burden for some homeowners.

Is it worth the time and effort it takes to file an appeal with the Assessment Appeals Board in Cobb or Gwinnett County? The simple answer is "Yes," but there are some things you know before you do so.

Do you own residential or commercial property in Cobb County, Gwinnett County or DeKalb County Georgia? Perhaps you own a home, rental property or commercial building in Fulton County. Do you know how much you are paying in property taxes?

For many property owners, both residential and commercial, the value of property can be hard to understand. That is, you want your property to be high in value when it's time to sell it, so you get fair market price for it. Yet, you don't want to have a taxable value that's too high. That translates into high taxation that's simply not necessary. The Board of Assessment appeals are a tool you can use to ask for a revision to a recent assessment.

There are times when, as a taxpayer, you may not agree with what the taxing authority is reporting, especially about your property’s value. A property tax protest means you don’t agree. As a taxpayer, you have the right to protest with the Board of Equalization , the organization that determines the value of your property. In doing so, you may be able to change the taxing authority’s  decision.

If you live in Cobb or Gwinnett counties, and you have concerns about the cost of your property taxes, you'll want to reach out to the assessment appeals board. This board is designed to hear cases of homeowners who believe their properties are being taxed at unfair rates or valuations.

At times, it may seem like you are on your own and perhaps no one is there to look after your best interests. You may be surprised to know, however, that if you are a property owner in the Atlanta Metro area, there are people available to make sure you are treated fairly. In Gwinnett County and Cobb County, for example, there are “Boards of Equalization” (BOE) which are government agencies charged with hearing appeals from property owners on their property tax assessments.

No one wants to pay more than necessary when it comes to items in their budgets, including taxes. When it comes to personal or commercial property taxes however, assessments can frequently be subjective. This can lead to assessments that are too high for a variety of reasons. Assessments are not an exact science, and that is why there is a process for protesting property tax assessments. While this is a process an individual can embark upon by themselves, most are too busy. This is where a tax protest company can provide value.

The Board of Assessors in Gwinnett County and Cobb County have the task of determining the value of real estate for taxing purposes. That may seem like a simple and straightforward process, but it most often is not. It's not uncommon for a property owner to receive a notice indicating their new assessed value is significantly higher than it was, even if the property hasn't improved any. When this happens, it can be difficult to know what to do.

If you own a residential or commercial property in Cobb or Gwinnett County, or anywhere throughout the Metro Atlanta, GA area, you have or will get a tax assessment on that property. This will tell you the taxable value of your property that the county will use in determining the amount of taxes you owe.