Property tax assessments continue to rise throughout Georgia, but many people are unaware that they have the right to appeal property taxes. According to an Atlanta property tax attorney, any property owner has the right to contest certain portions of their property tax. It is important to remember, however, that appealing property tax can be complicated and difficult which is why hiring a property tax attorney could result in a better outcome than if you did so on your own.
Statistics on Property Tax Appeals in Atlanta show rising rates
In 2019, there were almost 113,000 property tax appeals in the Atlanta area, representing a 13 percent decrease from the year before. Most appeals were residential and the average value of the property subject to the appeal was $742,500. Fulton County had the highest percentage of appeals at just over 7 percent while the Metro Atlanta area had just under 4 percent of parcels with property tax appeals. According to the statistics, property owners in Metro Atlanta are almost three times as likely to appeal their property taxes.
When to Appeal Your Atlanta Property Taxes
There are several reasons you may want to appeal your property taxes. The most common reason for appeals is that you disagree with the fair market value that was asserted by the tax assessor. There may also be a question of whether your assessment is uniform with other properties in your neighborhood. If you own property that is supposed to be non-taxable, such as a church building, you may be able to appeal an assessment. Other reasons may include a denial for exemption, the claim of a tax covenant breach, or denial of a tax covenant.
Property Tax Relief and Exemptions
There are several property tax relief and exemption options in Georgia. These include:
- Homestead exemption
- Line of Duty exemption
- Reduce taxable value
- Senior Citizen exemption
- Veteran exemption
Homestead Exemption
If your home is owner-occupied, you may be granted a $2,000 exemption from most county and school taxes. The $2,000 is deducted from the 40 percent assessed value. If your house is on a farm that has been granted the homestead exemption, you may also participate in a rural housing program under a contract with a local housing authority.
Line of Duty Exemption
The spouse of a first responder who was killed in the line of duty who has not remarried may be eligible for a 100 percent exemption from property tax.
Reduce Taxable Value
If you believe the tax assessor has misjudged the value of your home or if the taxable value is unusually high for the neighborhood, you may be able to appeal the value. For instance, if the assessor indicates that your home’s assessed value is $200,000 and the tax rate is 1 percent, you could be required to pay $2,000 in property tax. If you have evidence your home is worth only $150,000, a successful appeal could reduce your tax burden to $1,500.
Senior Citizen Exemptions
If you are 62 or older, you may be eligible for a senior citizen exemption if your income is $10,000 or less. The exemption exempts up to $10,000 of your property from school tax and, if your income is less than $30,000, you may also be exempt for part of your county tax. The exemption is based on how much your assessed value increased from the previous year.
Veteran exemption
If you are a disabled veteran or the spouse of a deceased disabled veteran, you may qualify for a substantial exemption. The exemption may also apply if you are the surviving spouse of a member of the military who died in a war or conflict. There are a complex set of rules that must be met for this exemption, however.
Business Property Tax Appeals
Residential property owners are not the only ones who are able to appeal property tax bills in Georgia. Just as a residential property may be assessed improperly, a business may be as well. In fact, it is more likely that a business property will be assessed incorrectly than a residential property. Because appealing a commercial property tax bill is far more complicated, it is critical that you speak to an attorney who specializes in commercial tax bills. You will want someone trained to analyze the valuation of commercial property, your income and expense streams, replacement cost analysis, and many other hidden factors that may impact your property tax assessment.
Contact a Property Tax Attorney Atlanta GA
Whether you are appealing a personal or commercial property tax, you want to find an experienced attorney who knows what steps to take. An attorney should meet with the assessors, county appraisers, and any boards who have a say in what your property tax may be. An attorney can also review databases of property values to compare every situation and demographic to be sure your taxes reflect the neighborhood where your property is located. They will also file any documents necessary for your appeal and work with you throughout the process, making sure that your interests are protected. They can also seek expert witnesses who will help support your case, providing you with the best outcome possible as you seek fairness in your property tax.
If you feel your tax assessment is incorrect or you feel you may qualify for one of the exemptions available in Georgia, contact Cumberland Law Group, LLC today to see how we can help. We will work with you throughout the process, using our sophisticated knowledge of property tax to fight for your rights under the law. Our main focus is you and we work as hard as we can to help you get a property assessment that is fair and a tax bill that is manageable for your circumstances. You can arrange for a no-obligation consultation by calling (678) 385-5953 or filling out the easy online form to see how our property tax experts can help you.
