Top Ten Questions Concerning Your Taxes
brought to you by Chrissy Neumann

1. How do I figure the tax on my home?  The basic formula to figure the tax on a home using the State's standard $2,000 homestead exemption is:
   
             [(assessed value) - $2,000] * millage rate = tax due
   
   Example: Fair market value means "the amount a knowledgeable buyer would pay for the property and a willing seller would accept for the property at an arm's length, bona fide sale."  Assessed value is 40% of the fair market value.  If a person that owned a home with a fair market value of $100,000 in an unincorporated area of a county where the millage rate was 25.00 mills, that person's property tax would be $950.00--[(100,000 * 40%) - $2,000] * .02500 = $950.00.  Multiply $100,000 by 40% which is equal to the assessed value of $40,000 and subtract the homestead exemption of $2,000 from the assessed value.  Then multiply $38,000 by the millage rate of .02500 which is equal to $950.00.  Many counties offer more beneficial homestead exemptions than the standard homestead exemptions offered by the state.  Click here for more information on how property is assessed in Georgia.
   
   
2. Where do I file a homestead exemption?  Homestead exemptions are filed with the county tax commissioner or the county tax assessor's office.  The State offers homestead exemptions to persons that own and occupy their home as a primary residence.  Many counties offer homestead exemptions that are more beneficial to the taxpayer than the exemptions offered by the State.  The homestead exemption is deducted from the assessed value (40% of the fair market value) of the home.  Then the millage rate is applied to arrive at the amount of ad valorem tax due (see example above).  Click here to download forms for the homestead exemptions offered by the State.  For additional information on homestead exemptions offered by the county you should contact the county tax commissioner or the county tax assessor's office. Find out how the Homeowner's Tax Relief Credit will give eligible homeowners property tax relief that is equivalent to an additional $8,000 homestead exemption. 
   
   
3. When are property taxes due?  Property taxes are normally due December 20 in most counties, but some counties may have a different due date.  Taxpayers have 60 days from the date of billing to pay their property taxes.  The county tax commissioner is responsible for collecting property taxes for the county, school and state.  For questions about billing you should contact the county tax commissioner.  For questions about the valuation on your property you should contact the county board of tax assessors.  Click here for additional information about the payment of property taxes.
   
   
4. How do I appeal my property tax assessment?  Taxpayers may challenge an assessment by the county board of tax assessors by appealing to the county board of equalization or to an arbitrator or arbitrators within 45 days from the date of the notice, or in some counties within 30 days from the date of the notice.  Once a decision has been made by the county board of equalization or by an arbitrator or arbitrators, the taxpayer may appeal their decision to the superior court of the county by mailing or filing with the county board of tax assessors a written notice of appeal.  Click here for more information on the appeals procedure.
   
   

5. How do I contact county tax officials?  The Property Tax Division maintains a web page for each county that gives contact information and taxation procedures for that county.  The county tax commissioner is the best source of information for questions about filing for homestead exemptions (or the tax assessor in some counties), paying your tax bill, registration of your motor vehicle, and purchasing tax liens.  The county tax assessor is the best source of information for questions about the appraised value on your home (see question below about property values on the web), filing an appeal of your assessment, and in some counties, filing homestead exemptions.  If the tax commissioner or tax assessor has a website, then you will find a link to their site on our County Ad Valorem Tax Facts website.  Click here if you only want a list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of county tax officials (this list includes tax commissioners, chairman of the board of tax assessors, chief appraisers, county commission chairman, and clerks of court).
   

6. Can I get a refund of property taxes I paid for this year since I sold my house and moved out-of-state?  If you owned property on January 1, you are responsible for the ad valorem tax for the entire year even if you sell the property on January 2.  Georgia law does not allow a refund for partial year residents.
   
   
7. Can I research the values of property in my county online?  In most counties you must go to the county board of tax assessor's office to look up property values.  Not every county has the resources to publish property records online.  But for those that do, we have a list of counties with property records online--these are the ones that we are aware of.  If your county is not on this list, you should contact the county board of tax assessor's office to find out if your county will be offering this service in the near future.  If you want to know if your property tax has been paid, you will need to contact the county tax commissioner's office.
   
   
8. Where can I find the total assessed value of all property in the county? The Tax Digest Consolidated Summary (also known as consolidation sheets) depicts the assessed totals of all property listed on a Georgia county's tax digest separated by tax district. The assessed total is 40% of the fair market value of the property.  These summaries also show how much tax is levied in the tax district and the millage rate for each tax district.
   
   

9. Who should I contact about the state tax execution or lien on my property?  You should contact the Compliance Division or one of the Regional offices in the State about state tax executions or liens on property.  Another way is to call the telephone number listed in one of the notices which are sent to taxpayers by the Department before a lien issues.  Click here for more information on state tax executions and your rights as a taxpayer.  If the lien was issued by the Department of Labor then you will need to contact that Department.  If the lien was issued by your County Tax Commissioner then you will need to contact that office.  Click here for information on the sale of tax liens.

10. How do I report capital gains on my income tax return on property I sold last year?  Georgia does not tax capital gains differently than other income. If you need additional information, you should call taxpayer assistance at 404-657-4192 or contact the Income Tax Division.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PROPERTY LISTED ABOVE OR THE TIP PROVIDED
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL CHRISSY@CASTLESBYCHRISSY.COM OR CALL ME AT 404.925.5335

Chrissy Neumann "Making You Feel At Home" www.CastlesByChrissy.com
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