Common Reasons Gwinnett County Property Owners Decide to Appeal Their Taxes

For Gwinnett County, Georgia property owners, filing a property tax appeal is often driven by concerns that their assessment is inaccurate or unfair. Whether it's due to a market overvaluation, data errors, or a dramatic increase in their bill, owners frequently find valid grounds to challenge the county's assessment.

A suburban neighborhood in Gwinnett County Georgia featuring a diverse array of homes with varying architectural styles and manicured lawns In the foreground a wellmaintained twostory house with a brick facade and large bay windows stands prominently

Below are the most common reasons homeowners and businesses in Gwinnett County file a property tax appeal to seek a fair and equitable valuation.

1. 📈 Overvaluation

FMV Too High: The most common reason for appeal. Owners believe their property's Fair Market Value (FMV) is higher than what the property could realistically sell for.
Inaccurate Comps: Property owners may find that the comparable sales used by the county are not truly similar—due to differences in location, condition, square footage, features, or lot size.

2. 🏚️ Errors in Property Information

Incorrect Property Details: Mistakes in square footage, number of beds/baths, lot size, or features like a pool or basement can lead to inflated assessments.
Misclassification: A property might be wrongly categorized (e.g., coded as residential when part of the land is used for agricultural purposes).

3. ⚖️ Lack of Uniformity (Unequal Assessment)

Georgia law requires uniformity in property assessments. If similar properties nearby are assessed at lower values, the owner can appeal on the basis of unequal treatment—even if their own FMV might technically be accurate.

4. 🧾 Recent Purchase Price Lower Than Assessment

If a property was purchased in the year before the tax year in question, and the purchase price is lower than the county’s assessment, this can be powerful appeal evidence.
Sales must be arm’s-length transactions (i.e., not foreclosures or sales between family members).

5. 🔨 Property Condition or Damage

Deferred Maintenance: Deteriorating properties or those needing major repairs often have lower FMVs than reflected in county assessments.
Damage or Disaster Events: If a home has suffered damage (e.g., fire, flood, storm), and the assessment doesn’t reflect this, an appeal can help adjust the value accordingly.

6. 🚫 Denial of Exemptions

Property owners denied exemptions such as:
- Homestead Exemption
- Senior/Disabled Veteran Exemption
- Conservation Use or Agricultural Preferential Assessment
...may appeal to challenge that denial and correct the tax bill.

7. ❌ Taxability Issues

In rare cases, a property may be exempt from taxation entirely, such as land owned by a nonprofit or government entity. Incorrect classification or denial of this status can be appealed.

📌 Summary

Property owners in Gwinnett County typically appeal when:

Their property is overvalued based on sales data or appraisals
There are factual errors in the county’s records
Their property is assessed higher than similar homes nearby
They recently bought the property for less than the assessed value
The home is in poor condition or recently damaged
They were denied a valid exemption
They believe the property should not be taxed at all

Regardless of the reason, it is essential to gather documentation—such as photos, repair estimates, appraisals, or sales data—to support your appeal.