If you’ve been paying high property tax, year after year, then perhaps you only have yourself to blame. You may not be as aware as you should be about the following matters. You may have ignored advice to hire an experienced tax consultant who could have handled these matters on your behalf.
But it’s never too late to become an educated property owner and taxpayer! You can build your knowledge on these things. You can ask your tax consultant for more information, a must since you should be an active part of the appeal process.
The 45-day Deadline
Bear in mind that property taxes are calculated and collected by the bureaucracy – in this case, the counties of the State of Georgia. The bureaucracy being what it is, deadlines are strictly imposed by the local government agencies.
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The first deadline is the deadline for filing the assessment appeal. In the State of Georgia, property owners and/or their agents only have 45 days from the date of the tax assessment notice to file their appeals. The deadline is computed from the date reflected on the Annual Notice of Assessment, as issued by the Board of Assessors in each county.
Be sure to read your notice of assessment from top to bottom. You will find useful information that can increase your chances for a winning appeal in the future. You shouldn’t treat the notice as a tax bill – it isn’t.The tax bill will be issued by the Tax Commissioner’s Office.
The Appeals Process
Keep in mind, too, that the assessed value reflected on the Annual Notice of Assessment isn’t necessarily correct. Property owners who just take the assessed values sitting down, so to speak, are the most likely to pay high property tax on their assets.
You should discuss the pros and cons of filing an assessment appeal with your tax consultant. You may be advised to proceed with the appeal, such as in the case of overvaluation. You must then become acquainted with the basics of the appeals process including these matters.
- Completing the appeal form, which can usually be accessed via the county’s official website. Read the notice of assessment since it provides detailed instructions about where, when and how to file your appeal. On the appeals form, you should also check the reason for your appeal. You can choose from value, uniformity, and taxability, as well as denied exemption (i.e., exemption for senior citizens).
- Indicate the venue for your appeal. The options include the Board of Equalization with the right to appeal to the Superior Court; non-binding arbitration; hearing officer venue is reserved for non-homestead and commercial property with values of over $750,000; and Superior Court with approval from the Board of Assessors.
- Send the appeal to the Board of Assessors’ Office on or before the deadline. Certified mail is the best way to do so although hand-delivery is also a viable option. In case of the latter, be sure to get a stamped copy for your own files.
Conclusion
Don’t let high property tax become a yearly burden! You should act ASAP when you receive the notice of assessment in the mail.
