When you receive your annual notice of assessment from the Gwinnett County Tax Assessor in the mail, you should be prepared for the possible changes in your real property’s appraised and, thus, assessed value. Keep in mind that the assessed value is usually 40% of the appraised value with the former as the basis for the tax bill computation.
Your property’s assessed value will likely increase from one year to the next although it can also stay as is. The increase can be attributed to several factors including increased property values in your neighborhood due to new construction projects, recent sales with high transaction prices, and influx of new investments, as well as property improvements done on your property (e.g., landscaping). In this case, you will want to file an appeal against your property’s assessed values based on one or more valid grounds, namely, value, taxability, uniformity and denial of exemptions.
Change of Mindset
Your first thought may be: How will you win against the machinery behind the Gwinnett County Tax Assessor? You are, after all, just an ordinary taxpayer while the Tax Assessor has the benefit of experienced appraisers and a mysterious process called mass appraisal. Your weapon may only be the firm conviction that your real property has been over-assessed.
You will find that the first step toward a winning property assessment appeal is changing your mindset about the chances of winning. You can win but you have to be prepared to win, which can include hiring a property tax consultant. Your confidence in a winning appeal will contribute to your efforts in finding the best ways to achieve your goal.
Follow the Rules
While you may want to rant against the Gwinnett County Tax Assessor, you will not win in this manner mainly because even the assessor and his staff must follow the rules and regulations set by the State of Georgia. You must also follow the rules and regulations including compliance with the required documents so that your formal appeal can be expedited.
When filing a property tax appeal you have to meet deadlines and provide the correct information. If you meet the requirements the tax assessor staff will be compelled to review your taxable value. If they won’t change your value or if you are unsatisfied with the reduction offered, you can further your appeal to the Board of Equalization. This includes a formal hearing before a group of your peers (Gwinnett County property owners).
Following the rules and regulations of the appeal process also includes allowing the staff appraisers to conduct a visual inspection of the subject property. You don’t have to be present when the county appraiser visits, but if you are there you can answer the appraiser’s questions and point out the property’s actual condition, deferred maintenance, and other items which may be considered below average compared to your neighbors.
Aside from this tip, you should adopt a professional attitude with the tax assessor and appraisers. You have to remember that, human as they are, they will likely act in a more favorable manner toward your appeal when you have a courteous, respectful, and professional approach toward the matter – or to put it bluntly, respect begets respect.
In the end, the Gwinnett County Tax Assessor can be your friend in getting a fairer assessment on your real property. Start changing your mindset about the office being your foe now.
