If you're pursuing a property tax appeal in Clayton County, Georgia, and your initial appeal to the Board of Assessors doesn't produce the desired outcome, your case may proceed to a Hearing Officer. Understanding the role and responsibilities of the Hearing Officer is critical for preparing your case effectively at this stage.
This guide explains who the Hearing Officer is, how they fit into the appeals process, and what to expect during the hearing.
The option to appeal to a Hearing Officer is limited to:
Non-homestead real property with a fair market value greater than $500,000
Wireless property disputes (one or more accounts) with an aggregate FMV above $500,000
Note: Homestead properties and lower-value properties are not eligible for this appeal route.
When choosing the Hearing Officer option, you may only appeal based on:
Value (i.e., market value is incorrect)
Uniformity (i.e., your property is not assessed fairly compared to similar properties)
Other issues, such as:
Taxability
Denial of exemptions
…must be appealed to the Superior Court, not a Hearing Officer.
Submit a written appeal to the Clayton County Board of Assessors (BOA) within 45 days of the date on your Annual Notice of Assessment
Select the “Hearing Officer” option on the appeal form (PT-311A)
The Board of Assessors has up to 90 days to review your appeal and issue a response.
If you disagree with their decision, you have 30 days to notify the BOA in writing.
The BOA then has 30 days to refer the case to the Clerk of Superior Court, who will schedule a hearing.
The Clerk oversees appointing a qualified Hearing Officer
If a Hearing Officer cannot be found, the case will revert to the Board of Equalization (BOE) for hearing.
A Hearing Officer must:
Be a state-certified general or residential real property appraiser
Be approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission and the Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board
Attend required training at their own expense
This ensures that your case is evaluated by a professional with the appropriate background in real estate valuation.
A formal hearing is conducted, usually at the courthouse or another official venue
Both you (the property owner) and the Assessor’s Office may present:
Evidence
Testimony
Appraisals or comparable sales
The focus is strictly on value and uniformity
The Hearing Officer will typically announce their decision verbally at the hearing’s conclusion
A written decision will follow
The Hearing Officer is paid a minimum of $25 per hour
Payment is handled by the Clayton County Governing Authority, not the property owner
Either party (you or the BOA) may appeal the Hearing Officer’s decision to Superior Court
This must be done within 30 days of the decision
Your appeal is heard by a qualified, state-certified appraiser
Hearings are more focused than the Board of Equalization
Professional valuation expertise is applied directly to your case
Eligibility is restricted to high-value, non-homestead or wireless properties
Appeal grounds are limited to value and uniformity
If a Hearing Officer isn’t available, your appeal defaults to the BOE
Before choosing this option, verify your property’s eligibility and ensure your appeal is based strictly on value or uniformity—not exemption or taxability concerns. Strong evidence (e.g., appraisals, recent comparable sales) is essential to succeed.
🧾 Clayton County Tax Commissioner’s Office
Website: https://www.claytoncountytax.com/
Phone: (770) 477-3311
🏠 Clayton County Board of Assessors
Appeal information and property records
Website: https://assessors.claytoncountyga.gov/
Phone: (770) 477-3285
📄 Georgia PT-311A Appeal Form
https://dor.georgia.gov/documents/property-tax-appeal-assessment-form-pt311a
⚖️ Georgia Department of Revenue – Property Tax Information
https://dor.georgia.gov/property-tax
📘 O.C.G.A. § 48-5-311 – Appeals Procedures (Official Georgia Code)
https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2024/title-48/chapter-5/section-48-5-311/