For many of the best property tax advisors in Atlanta, a contingency fee agreement with their clients is a win-win proposition. On one hand, the tax advisors can attract more clients to hire them for their professional services, such as winning assessment appeals. On the other hand, the clients can obtain tax reduction-related services, such as assessment appeals again, without incurring high initial costs.

If you filed an appeal of property taxes – or more appropriately, on your property tax assessment – but you have been losing it, year in and year out, you’re likely committing one or a few of these mistakes. Of course, each case is different but these are common mistakes that you should be on the lookout for, especially when you’re dealing with the appeal process on your own.

With House Bill 202 already in effect since January 1, 2016, property owners/taxpayers have been given more rights and responsibilities particularly where the tax assessment and appeal process is concerned.  Your enhanced power is such that you even have increased access to the records including the information kept by the Gwinnett County Tax Assessor for the purpose of questioning the appraised and assessed value of your real property. Here’s what you have to know about it so that you can use it for your own benefit. 

When you’re comparing several property tax consultants Atlanta, you’re likely overwhelmed by the process. You may even choose the one that has the longest client list, or the one with the lowest fees, or the one with the most affable personality. You’re not doing yourself any favors here because client list, fees, and personality aren’t the best metrics to use. 

Let’s face it. In order to win a property tax appeal, you should hire an experienced property tax consultant to handle the nitty-gritty details of the case. You can rely on a trustworthy tax advisor to gather the valid evidence, file the paperwork as your agent, and present your evidence before the tax authorities, among other services.

Many taxpayers believe that their appeals against the property tax assessment values determined by the Hall County Tax Assessor are already skewed in favor of the government. While the Office of the Tax Assessor may have an inherent advantage considering its easy access to government records and the scope of resources available for its defense, taxpayers now have enhanced rights during a property tax appeal.  Taxpayers can thank Act 431 Taxpayer Bill of Rights, formerly Senate Bill 177, which was signed on April 30, 1999 and became effective on January 1, 2000. 

Keep in mind that effective property tax management isn’t just about paying the property taxes on time. Instead, it means minimizing your property taxes while getting the most value from the use of the property, whether it’s residential or commercial. This is what the best property tax advisors in Atlanta are experts in! 

Contrary to popular opinion, the tax assessors in the State of Georgia aren’t the enemy in the goal to lower property taxes. Keep in mind that as taxing authorities, they are only doing their jobs – to determine the market values on residential and commercial property so that the applicable property taxes can be computed by the Tax Commissioner’s Office. You can see their jobs from their point of view which can help you in your appeal.

Many individuals interested in becoming homeowners have second doubts about following through with their plans, no thanks to the high property tax. This is such as shame considering that while you cannot escape property taxes, you can reduce it by taking preliminary measures.

Many local governments are seeking increases in property tax for commercial via value-in-use taxation. But this isn’t such an advisable step considering the costly changes in the assessment process and the inequities that result. These issues have their greatest impact on commercial property owners.