Help in Seeking Cobb County Tax Relief for Incorrect Property Taxes

Posted by Daniel Jones on Mar 24, 2014 8:00:00 AM

Property taxes come around every year. They’re based on the county government’s assessment of your property’ value, multiplied by the local tax rate. Given the fact that property taxes are an annual expense for home and business owners, you’d think that there was a higher than likely chance that the amount being assessed would be accurate. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Too many homeowners are overpaying on their Cobb County tax burdens. Thankfully, there are ways around this. What do you need to know as a Cobb homeowner or business owner?

What Causes Inaccurate Assessments?

Perhaps the first topic of discussion should be on what actually makes those assessments inaccurate. You’ll find a variety of different things at play here, from weaknesses inherent with the mass property assessment method employed by the Cobb County tax assessor’s office to inaccurate property values that don’t reflect dramatic changes in the real estate market. While not every home or business owner in Cobb County will be able to appeal their property taxes, a significant number will find they can save a dramatic amount of money annually.

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Can I Really Appeal My Cobb County Tax Assessment?

As a Cobb County resident or business owner, you have the right to appeal your tax assessment if you feel that it’s inaccurate. Too few people realize that this is not only a legal tool to reduce their tax burden, but often necessary to correct inaccuracies created by the tax assessment system in the first place. Think of it as a system of checks and balances – your right to appeal your assessment balances the Cobb County tax assessor’s ability to reassess property and increase your tax burden.

Important Things to Remember about Filing an Appeal with the Cobb County Tax Office

It is your right to file an appeal if you feel that the amount assessed for your property is inaccurate. However, there are some important things you’ll need to remember during this process. These include the following:


• Accurate Assessment – If you’re disputing the amount the Cobb County tax office says your property is worth, make sure you have an accurate assessment. You can estimate your own value, but it’s a better option to hire an independent professional.
• Timely – You have 45 days to file an appeal for the current tax year after receiving your notice of assessment. If you exceed that time, you’ll have to wait another year to file.
• Wait Time – You’ll have a considerable amount of wait time after you file your appeal. Cobb is better than many other Metro Atlanta counties, but it can still take most of a year to get an answer to your appeal.
• You’ll Pay in the Meantime – If you think you’re getting out of paying until your appeal is resolved, think again. You’ll pay a specific percentage of your home’s assessed value, and then when the final decision is made, you’ll either need to pay the remainder of your taxes, or you’ll be issued a refund.


Filing an appeal on your Cobb County tax assessment is possible, and it’s also possible to see a positive result. However, it’s highly recommended that you go through this process with the help of an Atlanta property tax consultant.

Sources:
http://www.fair-assessments.com/blog/bid/333451/Cobb-County-Tax-What-to-Expect-in-2014

Topics: Cobb County Tax Assessor, Cobb County, Cobb County Tax

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