--- title: Key Evidence to Gather for Your DeKalb County Property Tax Appeal description: When appealing your property taxes in DeKalb County, the strength of your case hinges on the quality and relevance of the evidence you provide. image: https://www.fair-assessments.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20neatly%20organized%20desk%20filled%20with%20essential%20documents%20related%20to%20a%20property%20tax%20appeal%20in%20DeKalb%20County%20At%20the%20forefront%20a%20stack%20of%20papers%20is%20labeled%20Comparable%20Sales%20Data%20with%20a%20few%20highlighted%20sections%20showing%20recent%20sales%20price-1.jpeg --- [![Fair Assessments LLC logo](https://www.fair-assessments.com/hs-fs/hub/163576/file-2350210184.png?width=225&height=74&name=file-2350210184.png "Fair Assessments LLC logo")](https://www.fair-assessments.com/) # Key Evidence to Gather for Your DeKalb County Property Tax Appeal Posted by [Daniel Jones](https://www.fair-assessments.com/blog/author/daniel-jones) on Mar 7, 2025 9:15:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) When appealing your property taxes in **DeKalb County, Georgia**, the strength of your case hinges on the **quality and relevance** of the evidence you provide. Here's a breakdown of the **key evidence** you should gather, categorized by the grounds for your appeal: ![The image depicts a neatly organized desk filled with essential documents related to a property tax appeal in DeKalb County At the forefront a stack of papers is labeled Comparable Sales Data with a few highlighted sections showing recent sales price-1](https://www.fair-assessments.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20neatly%20organized%20desk%20filled%20with%20essential%20documents%20related%20to%20a%20property%20tax%20appeal%20in%20DeKalb%20County%20At%20the%20forefront%20a%20stack%20of%20papers%20is%20labeled%20Comparable%20Sales%20Data%20with%20a%20few%20highlighted%20sections%20showing%20recent%20sales%20price-1.jpeg?width=500&height=500&name=The%20image%20depicts%20a%20neatly%20organized%20desk%20filled%20with%20essential%20documents%20related%20to%20a%20property%20tax%20appeal%20in%20DeKalb%20County%20At%20the%20forefront%20a%20stack%20of%20papers%20is%20labeled%20Comparable%20Sales%20Data%20with%20a%20few%20highlighted%20sections%20showing%20recent%20sales%20price-1.jpeg) ## I. Evidence for Overvaluation (Fair Market Value Is Too High) **Comparable Sales Data (Comps)** This is the most important type of evidence in a market value appeal. - Choose properties similar to yours in: - **Size** (square footage of living area and land) - **Age and construction style** - **Number of bedrooms/bathrooms** - **Features** (garage, basement, pool, etc.) - **Location** (ideally in the same neighborhood or school district) - Focus on sales that occurred **within 6–12 months before January 1st** of the tax year you are appealing. - For each comp, gather: - Address - Sale price - Sale date - Property characteristics - Sources include: - [DeKalb County Tax Assessor’s QPublic site](https://qpublic.schneidercorp.com/Application.aspx?App=DekalbCountyGA&Layer=Parcels&PageType=Search) - Real estate websites (Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com) - A licensed real estate agent **Adjustments** Explain any meaningful differences between your home and the comparables, such as: - Your home has an **unrenovated kitchen**, while a comp was recently updated. - Your home lacks features that the comp has (e.g., no garage, smaller lot). **Independent Appraisal** A recent appraisal by a **state-certified appraiser** is strong evidence. The **effective date** should be as close as possible to **January 1st** of the tax year. **Recent Purchase Documents** If you bought your home recently in an arm’s-length transaction, include: - **Closing Disclosure** or **HUD-1 Settlement Statement** - Purchase agreement - This can be persuasive evidence of current market value. **Photos & Documentation of Property Condition** Show physical or external issues that reduce market value: - Deferred maintenance - Structural issues - Dated interiors - Proximity to power lines, highways, or other nuisances --- ## II. Evidence for Lack of Uniformity (Unequal Assessment) This argument is based on **assessment inequity**, not just market value. **Assessed Values of Comparable Properties** - Select similar homes in your immediate neighborhood - Find their **2024 assessed values** on the county's QPublic site - Calculate **assessed value per square foot** - Compare to your home’s assessment — large differences can support your claim **Example Table**: | Property Address | Heated Sq Ft | Assessed Value | Assessed $/Sq Ft | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Your Home | 2,000 | $280,000 | $140 | | Comp A | 2,050 | $250,000 | $122 |   **Photos** Include side-by-side photos of your property and comparables to show they are similar in condition and design. --- ## III. Evidence for Errors in County Property Records **Survey** Prove incorrect **lot size** or boundaries. **Blueprints / Floor Plans** Show errors in **square footage** or number of finished rooms. **Building Permits** Disprove listed improvements that were never made. **Photos** Illustrate missing features the county says your property has—or show features the county is missing. --- ## IV. General Information to Include in Your Appeal Letter Your appeal should include: - **Parcel Identification Number (PIN)** – on your Notice of Assessment - **Property Address** - **Daytime Phone Number** - **Your Choice of Appeal Route**: - Board of Equalization (default) - Hearing Officer (if value > $500,000) - Non-binding Arbitration - **Clear Statement of Appeal Reason** – e.g., “Fair market value is too high due to recent sales data.” - **Your Proposed Fair Market Value** --- ## Key Tips for Gathering Evidence - **Stick to the January 1st Valuation Date**: Evidence must reflect the market and condition of your home **as of January 1** of the tax year. - **Prioritize Quality Over Quantity**: Three strong, relevant comps are better than ten weak or irrelevant ones. - **Be Organized and Clear**: Label documents, highlight key facts, and use spreadsheets if needed. - **Keep Copies**: Save everything you submit. - **Practice Your Presentation**: Be ready to explain your evidence clearly and calmly at your hearing. --- By preparing focused, relevant, and well-supported evidence, you significantly increase your chances of a successful property tax appeal in **DeKalb County**. --- ## Resources - [**DeKalb County Property Appraisal Department**](https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/property-appraisal) - [**DeKalb County Property Records (QPublic)**](https://qpublic.schneidercorp.com/Application.aspx?App=DekalbCountyGA&Layer=Parcels&PageType=Search) - **DeKalb County Appeal Process Guide** *(via Property Appraisal site or Notice of Assessment)* - [**Georgia Department of Revenue – Property Tax Information**](https://dor.georgia.gov/local-government-services/filing-property-tax-georgia) - **[Georgia Real Estate Commission](https://grec.state.ga.us) **(to verify appraisers or agents) ![property tax appeals](https://www.fair-assessments.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2019/icons/blog-sidebar-icon-165x60.png?width=165&name=blog-sidebar-icon-165x60.png "property tax appeals") ### Subscribe to our *A Fair Shake* Blog: [![How Tax Assessors Use Sales to Value Property](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/163576/e3546063-41de-49e2-8e46-03a715d129ea.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/163576/e3546063-41de-49e2-8e46-03a715d129ea) [![HOW TAX ASSESSORS USE THE COST APPROACH TO VALUE PROPERTY](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/163576/5e017dc4-73d8-4438-a603-74dbb79dada5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/163576/5e017dc4-73d8-4438-a603-74dbb79dada5) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/163576/8252852a-491e-4c1f-9f38-1f129a228e30.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/163576/8252852a-491e-4c1f-9f38-1f129a228e30)  [![linkedin](https://www.fair-assessments.com/hs-fs/hubfs/linkedin.png?width=30&name=linkedin.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/fair-assessments-llc/)[![facebook](https://www.fair-assessments.com/hs-fs/hubfs/facebook.png?width=30&name=facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/FairAssessments/)  ** Phone: (404) 618-0355** © 2026 Fair Assessments, LLC. 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