How to Appeal your 2012 DeKalb County Tax Assessment
Quick Guide to “How to Appeal Your 2012 DeKalb County Tax Assessment
Sally English and The English Team are receiving lots of calls about the 2012 tax assessments that many of my neighbors received at the end of May. Jumps of 20 to 30% in value are common and have caused distress to many homeowners.
In an effort to assist those who called AND other DeKalb County homeowners, here is a quick guide to appealing your 2012 DeKalb County tax assessment.
GO HERE TO READ INSTRUCTIONS ON THE DEKALB COUNTY PROPERTY TAX WEBSITE
1. Deadline: you have 45 days in which to make an appeal (July 13th listed on DeKalb County website).
“When you receive the Annual Assessment Notice from our office at the end of May, you will have 45 days to appeal if you do not agree with the Current Year Value displayed. No form is required, but we have provided a form for your convenience.”
2. Complete the online form. This is a pdf version so you will know what to expect.
DeKalb County Real Estate Appeal Form
3. Information you will need for an appeal of your DeKalb County Tax Assessment includes
- Parcel Identification Number as found on the Notice of Assessment Change
- Property Address
- Your daytime phone number.
- Your intention to appeal to either: Board of Equalization, Hearing Officer, or Arbitration (description of each is provided below)
- Any supporting documentation you may have as to why you disagree with our value
4. Comparable Sales You Will Need for Your 2012 DeKalb County Tax Assessment –
You will need information from comparable sales to establish an estimated value for your home. DeKalb county provides a handy database search tool here
Hints
a. Set the sale date with Jan 1, 2009 as the starting point and December 31, 2011 as the ending date. You can not use 2012 sales in this calculation
b. Do NOT use the Neighborhood and land use code. Erase that
c. DO use the street name.
d. Note, there is an interim step to get to this site if you are trying to reach it from DeKalb County’s appeal page.
YOU WILL START HERE under the real estate data tab.
5. Select a method of appeal. You essentially have three choices. Most people select the Board of Equalization method of appeal. It is free and your appeal will go before a panel of your peers. Some go with the Binding Arbitration Method. You will pay a fee for an appraisal of your home and for the process. The appeal of your tax assessment to the Superior Court is a legal matter and you probably need an attorney to guide you through the process.
- CHOICE NUMBER ONE: Board of Equalization Appeal
“Appealing to the Board of Equalization (BOE) is FREE to you. Each BOE is a three-member panel made up of DeKalb County property owners. Each board member has attended at least 40 hours of training in property tax laws and appraisal. If you select this option you will be scheduled for a hearing before the BOE. The BOE will have reviewed your letter of appeal, and will listen to your presentation, and they will listen to the county appraiser. The BOE will then render an independent decision as to the value of the property, and you will be notified of this decision in writing. Either party may appeal to Superior Court within 30 days of the BOE decision. Fees will be required if you appeal to Superior Court.”
- CHOICE NUMBER TWO: Binding Arbitration Appeal
“Within 10 days of receiving your appeal to Binding Arbitration, the Board of Tax Assessors will send an acknowledgement to you stating your requirement to provide us, at your expense, a certified appraisal of your property prepared by a qualified appraiser. Also, you will be required to submit a filing fee of $207.50. You will have 45 days to submit your certified appraisal and your $207.50 filing fee. Upon receipt, the Board of Tax Assessors must either accept or reject your appraisal. If we accept your appraisal this will become the final value, the appeal will be resolved, and we will return your check for $207.50. If we do not accept your appraisal, within 45 days we must certify your appeal to the Clerk of Superior Court with your filing fee of $207.50. If we do not act within 45 days, your certified appraisal shall become the final value.”
Within 15 days of filing the appeal with the Clerk of Superior Court, the Chief Judge shall issue an order authorizing the arbitration. Within 30 days of his/her appointment, the arbitrator will schedule the time and location of the hearing.
At the Conclusion of the hearing the arbitrator shall render a decision regarding the value of the property by choosing either the value presented by the Board of Tax Assessors, or the value presented by the taxpayer. The “loser” must pay the cost of the arbitrator. Provisions of binding arbitration may be waived at any time by written consent of both parties. The decision of the arbitrator is final and is not appealable to Superior Court.
- CHOICE NUMBER THREE: Appeal to Clerk of Superior Court
“Within 15 days of filing the appeal with the Clerk of Superior Court, the Chief Judge shall issue an order authorizing the arbitration. Within 30 days of his/her appointment, the arbitrator will schedule the time and location of the hearing.
At the Conclusion of the hearing the arbitrator shall render a decision regarding the value of the property by choosing either the value presented by the Board of Tax Assessors, or the value presented by the taxpayer. The “loser” must pay the cost of the arbitrator. Provisions of binding arbitration may be waived at any time by written consent of both parties. The decision of the arbitrator is final and is not appealable to Superior Court.”
6. Hand deliver or mail (by US mail only) the appeal. I suggest certified mail with return receipt.
“Your letter of appeal must be hand-delivered or POSTMARKED BY THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE by the Appeal Deadline date shown on the Notice to insure acceptance as a timely appeal. Late appeals will not be processed. We do not accept email or faxed appeals.
”
Property Appraisal Department
120 West Trinity Place,
Room 208
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: 404-371-084
Good luck!