Considerations In How To Appeal Property Tax

By Catherine Parker


Among the cons of living in a capitalist empery is the need to pay taxes. However, youre a contented citizen and couldnt really care less. Unless, of course, if youre being duped. As it is, an estimated thirty to sixty percent of taxable properties are said to have an inflated assessment. If it seems that youre included in this statistic, its time to know how to appeal property tax in Georgia.

Millage rates are a kind of ad valorem tax based on the real estates value. Its usually charged by the authorities in ones jurisdiction. It is estimated through the equivalent monetary value of your property, manually appraised by certain representatives.

Taxed acreages include homes, farms, business premises, and literally every realty, subsuming every appurtenance and fixture located therein such as buildings and other improvements. The factors looked at to establish the value of an estate include and are not limited to its size, location, use, and nature such as if it is residential or commercial or if it has buildings or is mere bare land. The improvements and amenities present, and the desirability of the property are also factored in. Its accessibility and utility, such that if its fertile or flood prone, are taken into account as well.

A tax is approximated through compounding the rate with the lands present market value. These values are determined by local officials, and since theyre very much human like anyone else, mistakes can be rife. If you think the tax is faultily assessed, you can justifiably dispute it.

These local officials appraise the worth of properties in more ways than one. Usually, its based on the so called fair market value. This is the negotiated price in the transaction between the seller and buyer. Its likewise important to note that revaluation is a commonplace occurrence. Property worth naturally changes with time, so they also must be officially reassessed, most advisably in three years or so.

And so, you think that your realty has been appraised out of proportion. Theres totally no stopping you from challenging it, and youre actually given a limited amount of time to appeal it. This is the time to take a breather, though, and take things into perspective. As it is, the process cant be worth the grind some of the times, and it may ultimately take more than its actually worth.

Also, consider that an appeal will lower just your real estate assessment and not the rate at which youre taxed, per se. Therefore, the difference can still be negligible in that you are only able to save, say, twenty dollars while you have taken all expensive legal recourses and even wasted valuable time. Also, there might be the slightest chance that instead of being lowered, the valuation is actually raised because of some appurtenances overlooked by the appraiser. And, lastly, its up to you if youre too honest for your own good, but reduction in assessments will inevitably hurt your houses sale price.

However, if its really so non negotiable and you cant bear the discrepancy, there are procedures to be followed. First off, check all facts and figures such as the square footage, number of bathrooms and bedrooms, presence and functionality of certain amenities, and some such. Also, collect some comps. These are properties that are comparable with your own, such that of a neighbors house that has the same space and amenities. If you find some inconsistencies, youre entitled to contest the value. You can do this through a phone call to the appraiser or writing an official letter of appeal addressed to the board of review. Supporting documents would greatly leverage your case. After all this, you will receive a decision, usually in writing, within three months or so, and a corresponding tax bill is sent along with it.

Paying property taxes is requisite if you dont want your house seized or sold for compensation. It is also important for the public weal, since its being used form some or other municipal projects. However, for your own peace of mind, its also important to only pay whats due.




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