Is It Worth It to Appeal With the Cobb County Tax Assessor?

Posted by Daniel Jones on Mar 19, 2018 12:00:00 AM

 

1722_Kanawha

Have you looked at your property taxes lately and thought that they were far too high to be accurate? While this is what most people tend to think when it comes time to pay their taxes, there is a chance that it could be entirely true. Even though the GA Tax Assessors work to make sure that they provide accurate assessments, everyone can make errors, and they might not always be working with the latest information, for example.

Therefore, it might be worth it to consider an ap

peal if you believe that you are paying too much for your taxes the initial findings of the Cobb County tax assessor. If you were to let this continue without an appeal, it could mean that you are overpaying on taxes for years. Imagine just how much money this could waste. Even if you have even the slightest inkling that something is off with your property taxes, it is a good idea to have them assessed and potential appealed if needed.

When You Might be Paying Too Much

There is a chance that you are paying too much on your property taxes. To determine how much you should pay in property taxes, the Cobb County tax assessor will consider many different elements. They will consider the size of the home, the location, and the condition of the property. For example, they need to know the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the home, how you are using the property, and more. If any of the information they receive is not correct, it will affect their assessment, naturally.

In addition, they will want to know if you have made any improvements to the land or home. This might include an addition to the property, such as an added bathroom, or an outbuilding. If there were problems with the property that caused damage, it could also affect the value of the property. If you have a rental property that is vacant, for example, this can factor into the assessment.

When the Cobb County tax assessor does not have all of the information they need, it means that they are not going to be capable of providing you with an accurate assessment of the property’s true value.

The Assessment Letter

It is essential that you spend some time going over the assessment letter that comes from the assessor’s office each year. You want to look at their assessed value and the taxes that you are supposed to be paying. Is there a major difference from the previous year that is unexpected? If you have not made changes to the property, and the price of the taxes is different for your home, it might mean they have not assessed the property properly.

Perhaps they have mistakenly added extra rooms onto your property in their assessment, even though they do not exist in the actual home, for example. It could also be a change in the value of the homes in the area, but if the price of other properties in the area that are comparable to your property have not changed, it could mean that they’ve made a mistake with your assessment. While these types of mistakes are relatively rare, they do happen more than you might imagine.

When you notice these changes, and you feel that you are paying too much on the taxes, it is a good idea to get in touch with the property tax professionals who can help you with the review and appeals process.

When your assessment is high, you can speak with a professional who can spend some time looking at the comparable homes in the area and your assessment letter. They can give you a better idea of whether it is worth pursuing a review on your assessment. The professionals can also make sure that you are turning in all of your paperwork on time for the review.

If the GA tax assessors do not agree that their assessment is wrong, you can still submit an appeal. Again, working with a professional is going to make this much easier for you. The professionals can help you through the entire appeals process. The amount of time it will take is naturally going to vary based on a range of factors, including how many others are filing appeals.

You Deserve Fair Taxes

Many people who question the amount that they are paying on their taxes never bother to really question it. They never even know that they have the option. They just think that the government is trying to get more out of them when it could all just be a mistake that could be fixed with a review or an appeal. It’s your right to question your taxes and to appeal when needed. This is true whether it is the residential property taxes, or commercial property taxes.

Be Sure to Work With an Experienced Pro for Your Property Tax Appeal Needs

Of course, whenever it comes to taxes, it can become confusing and frustrating rather quickly. If you feel that you are paying too much for your taxes, then you will want to work with a professional in this field who has plenty of experience with properties like yours. If you are questioning your residential taxes, make sure they have residential experience. If you have a commercial property, make sure they have commercial experience. Simple as that.

Try to find a professional who has experience on the other side, as well. Someone who has worked in a tax assessor’s office in the past will have some very valuable insight that they bring to the table. Take some time to find a professional who can help with your Cobb County tax assessor review and appeal. They can help to make the entire process easier, and they can give you a better idea on how long it might take to go through the process of having your tax assessment appealed.

 

Topics: Georgia property tax appeal

property tax appeals

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