How to File a Georgia Tax Assessor Appeal

House

The Georgia tax assessor's office estimates the value of each home and sets the tax due based on the assessed amount. The assessment is based on the fair market value of your home, or the amount a buyer would pay for the property and the amount that a seller would accept as payment. An appeal can be made on the assessed amount if the property owner feels it is unfair or incorrect.

Things You'll Need

• tax assessment
• instructions for an appeal

Instructions

Filing an Appeal

1. Examine the assessment that was made on your property. If you feel this information is incorrect you may challenge the amount. Start by researching the property values in your area. Know how much similar homes have sold for within your neighborhood. Homes in a specific area tend to have prices in the same range.

2. Contact your local tax assessor's office or municipal authority to receive materials that will give you step-by-step information on how to file and appeal. You will have to pay fees in order to file an appeal. The printed information includes a fee schedule for the appeal process. An attorney can help you with the appeal but you will save money if you file the appeal yourself.

3. Submit an appeal in writing within 30 to 45 days of receiving the tax assessor's notice. The back of your assessment will give you the exact number of days that the tax office will review your appeal. Be sure the appeal reaches the office within the time frame or they will not consider the appeal. Appeals may be filed on the basis of value, uniformity and denial of homestead exemption.

4. File an appeal with the tax assessor's office or with the County Supreme Court. An audit will be done on your property. In some cases an appraiser will come to your home to appraise your property. Once a new appraisal has been done the revenue commissioner will use basic procedures to re-determine the fair market value of your property. The tax assessor's office will then vote on the appeal. If you win, a new amount will be given on your tax bill. You will not have to pay your taxes until after the appeal has been decided.

5. Reapply next year if you lose your first appeal. You will need to find new evidence that your assessment is wrong but you can continue to fight the assessment until they rule in your favor.

References

• Georgia Department of Revenue: Frequently Asked Questions