Tips On How To Appeal Property Taxes DeKalb County

By Frank Howard


Property values are estimated to appreciate within a period of time. However, that does not mean that you the house does not also depreciate with time depending on the locality and any other natural factors. For that reason, it is therefore important to ascertain the current market values of properties within your region so as to avoid being overcharged on property tax bills. The biggest challenge to property owners is that at times they do not know the procedure of filing a tax appeal. This article will provide you with steps on how to appeal property taxes DeKalb County.

Seeking an appeal of your home usually means you are not satisfied by the tax bill you are served with. You will thereby be seeking a re-evaluation of your property value. Doing so means that you strongly feel that your house is worth less than what the county assessor claims. Research on facts that will strengthen your claims. You may find the necessary information and facts by visiting realtors sites in your area. In most cases, they have databases that provide current market values of properties which could have the same amenities and characteristics as yours. A local real agent will also have important information on the property values in your area.

Ensure you read and understand your assessment letter. Usually, there is a periodical assessment by local governments on all properties on their tax list. After finishing the evaluation process they will send you an assessment letter which contains their assessment report. You are given a 30 days period to challenge their findings should you feel they have overvalued your house.

The appeal period can run for months after you file one. It is, therefore, important to establish whether the application is worth the time. The main reason for doing so will be to find out whether the amount of the tax decrease is worth the time you will spend in the process. Most house values are in the range of 1% of the house value. If you cannot manage to have your home value decrease by over 15 then it would not be worth the time.

Apart from reading and understanding their assessment letter, it will be your obligation to access their database and look at the data they have uploaded for your house. This way, you can find the items that led to your house value to shoot than expected. Armed with this information you will have strong reasons to request for a review.

Find out within your locality properties that are similar to yours. This way you will be better placed to conduct a comparison of the tax bills of the assessment reports of these properties with yours. By so doing you will notice any irregular taxation your home which you should consider challenging.

With your findings file your complaint with the local assessor. You can do this either online, by mail or on call. Wait for the results as they will whether you should continue to file for a relief with the tribunal. If you are not convinced step on to the next and the last stop.

Filing for a relief with the tribunal will attract a small fee of between 15-30 dollars. You will then be scheduled to argue your case to the tribunal when your time comes. If you win, the county government will review your tax bill and as well exempt you for further assessment of your home for the next one year.




About the Author: