For residential property tax appeal consulting the cost falls in a narrow range. Your best bet is to find the most qualified consultant that you can. Typical residential flat fees may be $350 or higher. Alternatively, many companies charge $250 up front and 25% of whatever tax savings are generated. Some offer $150 +/- plus a third of the tax savings generated. Generally speaking qualifications are more important than saving a few dollars in up-front cost.

Beware of companies that send you a letter or postcard that says "this is how much we think we can save you $." You can be reasonably certain they are using a database of old values to generate these postcard savings estimates. I would be very cautious about this, especially if there’s a high flat fee involved. Some of these companies may charge $350 or more, and if you’re in a city or county that reappraises on an annual basis, spending that much money may be a losing proposition. If they get a reduction that doesn't cover their service fees, and the County increases your tax assessment the next year, then you have just wasted your money.

Equity is not an approach to value, yet for assessment purposes it can be as important as one. Equity is all about fairness. Specifically that your property tax burden is fair when compared to your neighbor, or your competition. Most states that I have worked in require that tax jurisdictions must assess based on equity, or “uniformity.” This is to ensure that the tax burden is distributed fairly. The exceptions that I am aware of are Florida and Ohio. (Full disclosure: I have worked property tax appeals in ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI, NY, PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA, WV, OH, NC, SC, GA, AL, FL)

The Income Approach uses capitalization to convert the anticipated benefits of the ownership of property into an estimate of present value.

The Sales Comparison Approach estimates a property’s value (or some other characteristic, such as its depreciation) by reference to comparable sales.

11 Expert Property Tax Appeal Tips

What is tax assessment?

The Cobb County Assessors office uses current mass appraisal standards and recent sales data to determine property values.  As a result of the end of the moratorium on assessment increases this year they decided to send out new assessments. Some of the commercial real property values doubled. In many cases they were changing values that were established by the Board of Equalization (BOE) in 2011. The Cobb County Assessors claim they physically inspected all properties that received an increase in tax assessment which allowed them to change BOE values.

Business assets owned by a company or organization used in the day to day operations of the business are considered taxable personal property. All businesses are required to send a detailed report of all property annually unless the total value of the property is less than $7,500.  Failure to do so can result in a 10% penalty.  Reports are due to the Cobb County Assessors office by April 1 each year. Similarly, real property tax returns are due by April 1 and should report any changes to the property description from the prior year. In Georgia if you do not file a property tax return you have, in effect, returned the same value that the tax assessors had on it the prior year.

Once returns are received, the Cobb County Assessors office will analyze the value to determine if they agree. If the assessors do not agree with the returned value they have to send an appealable assessment notice to the property owner. In the event that the owner disagrees with the value calculated by the Cobb County Assessors office, a formal appeal must be submitted in writing within 45 days of the value notice date.  Generally, it's best to send the appeal documentation via certified mail to ensure proper delivery in a timely manner.  This also ensures you maintain adequate records in the event that the date may be questioned.  At this time, the Cobb County Assessors office does not accept appeals or asset reports electronically.  All paperwork must be delivered by courier, mail, or hand delivered.

Upon receiving the appeal, the Cobb County Assessor office will send an acknowledgement letter to you stating the recommendation to the Board of Tax Assessors.  They will then decide whether to make any changes to the valuation of assets.  In the event that you are not satisfied with any change in valuation, you then have 30 days to file a written appeal to the Board of Equalization.  Once a hearing is set before the board, you will be notified of the hearing date and given the opportunity to present your case during the appeal hearing.  The Cobb County Assessor officer will also have the chance to present evidence there.  If neither side can agree with the Board of Equalization's finding, then the matter can be appealed to the Superior Court for final decision.

The Cobb County Assessors office indicated that after a two year freeze on assessment increases that the State of Georgia imposed on all counties it was time for assessment increases. Especially, they said, because property owners kept appealing during the moratorium, forcing values lower and lower. Of course it is hard to argue that during the moratorium values weren't falling lower and lower. Should you have any additional questions about property taxes contact the Cobb County Assessor's office at 770-528-3100.

The real estate market remains unpredictable, with property values unstable and owners at a disadvantage. Improvement and land values fluctuate on a yearly basis at the best of times, and in the current environment, property owners facing Dekalb County GA property taxes can reasonably wonder whether the value of their house, apartment, or commercial property is being assessed accurately. An appeal process exists for property tax in Dekalb County, but going it alone can be difficult. Hiring a professional can give you the support you need to win your appeal with the Tax Assessor to have your property appraised at a more favorable value, resulting in a lower tax bill.