You may not realize that it is possible, but for many property owners, you have a chance to lower the property taxes on your real estate. Rather than simply glancing at the paperwork when it comes in the mail, it takes a bit more effort. However, that effort can pay off by putting money back into your pocket. There are many real estate tax services available in Clayton County to help you with an appeal, which is a process where you determine if what you’re paying is correct. Sometimes the process is simple, while other times it can be a bit more complicated.
Start by Understanding Your Property Tax Bill
The first thing you want to do is determine exactly how your local government goes about assessment. You want to find out how long is between each assessment and how the value of your home is calculated. One method that is often used in wealthy or rural communities is by estimating how much replacing the home would cost while taking into account things like land value. Another common method involves looking at similar properties to determine what the market value is and then multiplying that amount as the assessment ratio. Your real estate tax services provider can help you with determining this number.
Find Any Errors on Your Assessment Sheet
Next, you are going to look for mistakes on your own assessment. You will have to visit your local assessor’s office to look at the record card for your property. This card will have information about how many rooms are in the building, what the dimensions are, and much land is it located on. Your job is to check this information for any errors. If you see the square footage is wrong, you can appeal that. If it states you have four bedrooms, but you only have three, you can do the same thing. In some cases, all it takes is showing your Clayton County assessor the blueprints for your home to have the bill reduced.
Look Around Your Neighborhood
While you’re at the assessor’s office, take the time to look at other properties that are similar to your own. You want to note buildings that are around the same age, same size, and with the same number of rooms. If you notice that the assessed value on these homes is much different from your own, your own assessment may be too high. However, there can be a variety if the homes are in different neighborhoods and use different construction materials.
Don’t Get Discouraged if the Answer is Buried
Sometimes you might find that some properties are assessed like yours, but others are lower. That’s normal, and you can still work with your real estate tax services provider to determine if you have a case. Being higher than a few homes may be enough. There might be differences that make your home less optimal than another, such as having a horrible view or bad soil. These are all things that can make a difference when it comes assessment time in Clayton County.
See What Tax Breaks You Qualify For
Depending on your circumstances, you might qualify for lower taxes based on tax breaks. Every state and even county has different requirements here, so you may have to dig to find out which apply to you. This is another area a real estate tax services professional can step in and offer insight. There might be exemptions for those who are disabled, elderly, or who have been hurt in combat. However, in many cases, there is a limit to the tax break, and you are still required to pay taxes on schools and similar items in the community.
Step Up and Fight by Appealing Today
When you get your assessment letter, you have 45 days to appeal in Clayton County. Every county is different, so if you are located elsewhere, you will need to find that information. It should be listed on your tax letter along with information about how an appeal works. You do have to appeal through a written letter, but you can pursue the appeal through four avenues: the superior court, the county board of equalization, arbitration, or a hearing officer. The state of Georgia explains the process in depth on the government website.
Double Check All of the Requirements
Make sure that you keep copies of any documents that you send in with your appeal and be sure to read every line on the appeal form. If you miss something, this can lead to issues down the line. Ask your Clayton County real estate tax services professional for help with this, if needed. This person has gone through the process many times and will have advice. In some cases, they may be willing to handle the process for you.
Waiting for a Response
In many cases, it can take a month or two to get back a response to your appeal. If you get what you want, congratulations. However, if the appeal is denied or you believe that the reduction is too little, you will need to work with a local appeals board. This gives you the chance to explain your case face-to-face, rather than through the postal mail. You can use photographs, documents, and any other visual aids that you need. You’ll also be allowed to pass out a copy of your important points to the members of the board.
The Right Professional to Assist You
Are you curious to learn more about real estate tax services? At Fair Assessments LLC, we offer answers to your questions, a suite of resources, and more. We can handle commercial property tax appeals in the Southeastern United States for you.
To learn more or ask questions, you can call 404-618-0355, email us at info@Fair-Assessments.com, or visit our website. You can reach us at any time of day or night for support and assistance.
