The characteristics of your property play a central role in determining its tax assessment in Fulton County, Georgia. The Fulton County Board of Assessors is required by Georgia law to assess all real property at its fair market value as of January 1st each year. To arrive at this value, the county considers a variety of factors related to the specific features and condition of your property.
Below is a breakdown of the most influential property characteristics that impact your tax assessment:
Size of Land and Structures: Includes total square footage of your home, any finished basement or attic areas, and additional structures like garages or sheds. Larger or more improved lots typically carry higher assessed values.
Age and Condition: A newer or recently renovated property in good condition is often assessed higher than an older one with visible wear or deferred maintenance.
Building Materials and Features:
Exterior construction (brick, stucco, siding, etc.)
Interior finishes (flooring, countertops, cabinetry)
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
Presence of amenities like:
Fireplace
Garage or carport
Pool
Finished basement
HVAC systems
Improvements or Renovations: Any additions or upgrades may increase assessed value. The county tracks building permits to capture this information.
Topography and Land Use: Steep slopes, wooded areas, water frontage, or unusable portions of land can influence your property's marketability and value.
Neighborhood: Properties in desirable areas—often those with good schools, access to parks, shopping, and safety—are generally valued higher.
Location within the Neighborhood: A home on a quiet cul-de-sac may be assessed more favorably than one on a busy street. Proximity to highways, railroads, or commercial zones can also affect value.
Zoning: The zoning category (residential, commercial, mixed-use) determines potential uses and may impact assessed value.
Comparable Sales ("Comps"): The sale prices of similar nearby properties are one of the primary valuation methods. If similar homes recently sold for more or less than your assessment, it may indicate an error in your valuation.
Market Conditions: Broad economic factors and local housing market trends (price appreciation or decline) influence assessments countywide.
The Fulton County Board of Assessors uses a mass appraisal system that relies on computer-assisted modeling. These models analyze thousands of parcels simultaneously and use a mix of physical characteristics, comps, and location to estimate value. Because of the scale, errors or outdated information can occur.
When you receive your Annual Notice of Assessment, carefully review the listed property characteristics. Mistakes in square footage, room count, condition, or even amenities like fireplaces or basements can inflate your value.
If you find errors, these can form a strong basis for your appeal. Additional useful strategies include:
Photographic Evidence: Show poor condition, structural damage, or outdated features.
Contractor Estimates: Provide documentation of needed repairs.
Missing Features: If comparables used by the county have features your home lacks, highlight those differences.
Negative Location Factors: Proximity to nuisances (power lines, highways, industrial sites) can support a lower valuation.
Your property's unique characteristics—both physical and locational—are the foundation of its tax assessment in Fulton County. Understanding how these attributes impact value and checking your assessment notice for errors gives you the best chance to ensure you're being taxed fairly. If necessary, these details can be used to build a strong case in your appeal.
To further understand your property assessment or prepare for an appeal, use these official and reputable resources:
Fulton County Board of Assessors
Appeal portal, property search, assessment data
https://fultonassessor.org
Fulton County Property Search Tool
https://fultonassessor.org/property-search/
Fulton County Tax Commissioner
Tax payment and billing
https://www.fultoncountytaxes.org
Georgia Department of Revenue – Property Tax Division
Statewide rules and appeal forms
https://dor.georgia.gov/property-tax
PT-311A Property Tax Appeal Form (PDF)
https://dor.georgia.gov/documents/property-tax-appeal-form-pt311a
Georgia Legal Aid
https://www.georgialegalaid.org
Atlanta Bar Association (lawyer referral):
https://www.atlantabar.org
Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT)
https://www.ipt.org
Neighborhood Associations
Real Estate Agents familiar with your area
Independent Appraisers and Property Tax Consultants