PROPERTY TAX APPEALS IN COBB COUNTY

Do You Feel Like Your Property Has Dropped In Value?

(Our in house lawyers, Neel & Robinson along with the Cobb County Tax Assessors Website has offered the following information on tax appeals and property re-assessment:)

Since property values h ave seen depreciation in recent months some homeowners may be especially interested in the appeals process this year. It is important to stay on top of deadlines. The triggering event is the Notice of Assessment- you must have an assessment in order to appeal.

If you already know you want to appeal your taxes (based on the 2008 value), you may go ahead and file a Taxpayers Return of Real Property.

If you purchased property in 2008, that purchase will trigger re-assessment. You should not have to file a Taxpayers Return of Real Property.

ASSESSMENTS IN COBB COUNTY ARE MAILED IN EARLY MAY

Once you recieve your assessment, if you disagree with the value assigned to your property, you may appeal. All appeals must be submitted in wiring- either received or USPS postmarked within 45 days of the nitice date. Any letter of disagreement, which identifies the property (by parcel number or address) and is filed timely, will be accepted as a formal appeal. Any information concerning the reasons for the appeal or information you can share about the property will greatly assist in the review process. Valid reasons for appealing your valuation are:

VALUE: Would the property sell for the appraised amount?

UNIFORMITY: Is the appraisal uniform/equitable with similar properties?

Once a timely appeal letter is reveived and if the appeal letter does not specify that the owner choses Arbitration the following appeal process is set into motion:

- An acknowledgement letter and an owner's review worksheet are mailed.

- The appraisal stadd will review your appeal and make a recommendation to the Board of Tax Assessors.

- If the board decides to make a change in the valuation, you will be notified in writing. If you are dissatisfied with the revised appraisal you may file a written appeal within 21 days to the Board of Equalization.

-If the board does not make any adjustment in your appraisal, you will be notified in writing and you appeal will be automatically forwarded to the Board of Equalization.

- If your valuation is appealed or forwaeded to the Board of Equalization, you will be notified of the date, time and location of the appeal hearing.

-During this hearing you will have an opportunity to present your case to the board. A county appraiser will also attend the hearing and will present supporting documentation concerning the county's appraisal of your property. Following the presentations, the Board of Equalizations' office decision.

- If you are dissatisfied with the board of Equalization you can appeal to the next level, Superior Court.

* Much of this information is taken from the Cobb County Tax Assessors Website