Do you feel that the Gwinnett County tax assessor might have made a mistake when they were valuing your property for tax purposes? This happens more often than people might imagine, but most people do not do anything about it. They might not think it’s a big deal if it doesn’t seem to be too high, or they might not even realize that they have a choice.
Others do not pay attention to their assessment letter, and they might not realize that they have been paying too much in taxes for a long time because the assessor thinks they have an extra bathroom or bedroom. There are many reasons that the assessment could be incorrect, and it’s best to make sure that you take care of this issue sooner rather than later.
After all, when you receive the assessment regarding your Cobb or Gwinnett County property tax, you will only have a certain number of days during which you can request a review of your valuation. The same is true if you later discover that you need to file for an appeal.
Chances are you have never had to file a review before, or an appeal, so you probably do not know exactly what you have to do. If you have filed before, then you know that it can be somewhat frustrating, you have to get the paperwork just right, and it can take time to get the results you need. Many people simply don’t bother because of this.
Just think about how much money you could be wasting on your property taxes if you do not take action though. Whether you have a residential property, or a commercial property, you should make sure your property valuation is correct. You can make things much easier on yourself by working with a professional. Of course, you need to make sure that you are working with the very best.
Let’s look at some of the most important elements to consider when you are working with a property tax consultant.
The Right Qualifications
Naturally, the most important thing that you will need to consider when you are making your choice is the qualifications that the consultant can offer. How much experience and expertise do they have when it comes to reducing property taxes. Have they worked with county property tax assessment departments before? Do they understand how the different counties assess property values, and do they understand the strengths and weaknesses of those methods?
If you have a home that you believe is overvalued, do they have experience working with residences like yours? If you have a commercial property that you feel has been valued incorrectly, do they have experience when it comes to commercial values? You need to make sure that they are the right consultant for your property or properties.
The consultant should understand how to properly appraise different types of properties, and they should be able to explain to you how they came to determine the value of your home.
For example, when it comes to a residential property, the GA tax assessors tend to utilize several factors to determine the value. They are going to consider the location of the property, along with the size of the property, and the number and type of rooms. They will also consider the condition of the property. They could get any of these elements wrong. This is particularly true when it comes to valuation for properties that have been through mass appraisal. There could be some outliers in there that are simply not correct.
You want to work with a property tax consultant who can utilize these same factors and evaluate your home to get the proper value. They should be able to provide evidence that can be presented to the tax assessors to show them the true value of your property.
Customer Service
Ultimately, you want to make sure that you are getting a fair deal on the taxes you are paying. However, it’s about more than just finding a company that has experience. You also want to work with someone who understands the importance of customer service and who makes sure to provide you with the best possible service. They should be able to answer your questions, and they should be honest regarding your assessment.
A big part of customer service is honesty. A company should not promise you the world if they cannot deliver. Instead, they should be honest and realistic when it comes to the types of results that you can expect on your property taxes.
How Long Does the Process for Tax Appeal Take?
Once you have found a consultant who can help you with your tax appeal, you will likely be wondering just how long the process will take. The truth of the matter is that it can change based on different factors. The number of appeals that are received by a county will be a huge factor in how long it takes.
Those who are appealing a Cobb County or Gwinnett County property tax might have their appeal settled in the same tax year as their assessment notice. However, in another location, such as Fulton County, it might take up to two years.
Find the Right Company in a Timely Manner
You never want to rush when you are making a decision regarding just who you should work with as your property tax consultant. You want to make sure that you are only working with the best, as discussed, and that they can help with your type of property. However, you also have to realize that you are on a bit of a time crunch. You only have a certain amount of time in which you can file a review or an appeal, so you must make sure you have a great consultant in place long before those deadlines. Start looking as soon as you realize something is off with your assessment letter.
