Valuable Resources for Property Owners Appealing Taxes in DeKalb County

Posted by Daniel Jones on Apr 23, 2025 8:15:00 AM

Appealing your property taxes in DeKalb County, Georgia can feel overwhelming, but a wide range of resources is available to help you understand the process, gather evidence, and advocate for a fair assessment. This guide outlines official tools, legal and appraisal support, and useful real estate data sources that can empower homeowners during the appeal process.

The image depicts a wellorganized desk filled with various resources for property owners in DeKalb County Georgia who are preparing to appeal their property taxes There are open documents featuring lists of key websites contact information for local

Key Resources for DeKalb County Property Tax Appeals

1. DeKalb County Property Appraisal Department (Board of Tax Assessors - BOA)

2. DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office

  • Website: https://dekalbtax.org

  • Purpose: This office handles billing and payment of property taxes.

  • Homestead Exemptions:
    Find eligibility information and applications for property tax exemptions (e.g., basic, senior, disabled veteran).

  • Note: Homestead exemptions affect your tax bill but are separate from appealing your property’s value.

3. Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR)

These resources provide statewide context for property tax laws, taxpayer rights, and appeal procedures under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 48-5).

4. Legal and Appraisal Professionals

  • Property Tax Attorneys:
    For complex or high-value appeals, a Georgia-based attorney experienced in property tax law can guide you through all stages of appeal—including Board of Equalization hearings and Superior Court if necessary.

  • Independent Appraisers:
    Hiring a licensed appraiser can provide a January 1st date-specific appraisal report with comparable sales that bolster your appeal.

Tip: Make sure your appraiser is familiar with Georgia’s fair market value standard and DeKalb’s local housing market.

5. Real Estate Professionals

  • Local Realtors:
    While not directly involved in tax appeals, real estate agents can help you identify comparable recent sales (comps) and neighborhood market trends.

  • MLS Access:
    Agents with access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) can offer high-quality data on sold properties, which is useful when disputing over-assessments.

What You Should Do as a DeKalb County Property Owner

  • Review Your Annual Notice of Assessment:
    Sent each spring, this notice lists your current assessed value and your appeal deadline (45 days from the date on the notice).

  • Verify Property Details:
    Use DeKalb’s Property Search tool to ensure the county’s data (e.g., square footage, number of bathrooms) matches your property’s actual characteristics.

  • Gather Comparable Sales:
    Focus on sales close to January 1 of the tax year to ensure your comps are relevant.

  • Document Any Issues with the Property:
    If your home has deferred maintenance or damage, provide photos and repair estimates.

  • File Your Appeal Promptly:
    Appeals can be submitted online, via mail, or in person. Use the online portal during the 45-day window for faster tracking.

  • Understand the Appeal Levels:

    1. Board of Tax Assessors review

    2. Board of Equalization (BOE) hearing

    3. Optional further appeals to a Hearing Officer or Superior Court

📚 Resources Summary (Quick Links)
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