While it may already be the 2017, you are well-advised to know more about the changes to the Gwinnett County property tax process brought by the approval of House Bill 202. Keep in mind that with tax laws being as complicated as these are you should work with an experienced property tax consultant. Here a few pieces of information that you can use in 2017 and beyond.
2017 is not your usual year in taxation since it is the year when all of the provisions in House Bill 202 will be implemented by the concerned government agencies, such as the Board of Assessors, Board of Equalization, and Superior Court. As a property owner, it is in your own best interest to know about these changes and to use them for your own advantage.
Arm’s Length Transaction
The 2017 tax value must not exceed the 2016 purchase or acquisition price from a qualifying arm’s length transaction. You can use this provision as part of your strategy in a winning appeal but you have to present valid evidence for this matter to hold during a hearing – and that’s where the expertise of your tax consultant comes in.
Enhanced Taxpayer’s Rights
Download the Gwinnett Step-by-step Guide
You still have 45 days from the date stated on the Annual Notice of Assessment to file your formal property tax appeal. But with House Bill 202 in effect, you now have several enhanced rights working in your favor including the right to an interview with the Gwinnett County property tax assessor or his authorized representative; the right to record said interview; and the right to prompt certification of your appeal for the next step. Before House Bill 202, the certification of the appeal often took weeks, if not months, for the Tax Assessor to act on but that has changed.
Reduced Threshold
The appeals process has been changed, too, in many ways. For example, the threshold for appeals being heard by a Hearing Officer has been reduced from $1 million to $750,000 but with a catch - the property should be a non-homestead property (not primary residence) and the appeal is based on the grounds of value. The venues of appeal still remain the same –the Board of Equalization, arbitration, hearing officer, and Superior Court with the Board of Assessors’ approval.
Since the Board of Equalization is free, it is still the most common choice among property owners. Keep in mind, too, that when you lose the appeal in other venues, you will be required to shoulder certain expenses, such as the attorney’s fees, of the entire process. So you should be careful about the evidentiary support that you have as it can mean the difference between winning and losing your appeal.
Ultimately, you are well-advised to avoid tackling the Gwinnett County property tax appeal process on your own unless and until you have the knowledge, skills, and time for it. Your best course of action is to hire the services of an experienced property tax consultant for the job.
