Act Fast To Lower Your Fulton County Property Taxes

Need some property tax relief?  If you would like to get a head-start on the process, consider filing a “Real Property Tax Return” yourself.  That’s the only way you can lawfully challenge the county’s fair market assessment of your home unless your home is re-assessed in the spring. If it is reassessed, you will receive a Notice of Assessment Change.  The deadline to challenge either is April 1.

How to get started:
 
Research Your Home’s Value -
You can research your current assessment at the Fulton County Board of Assessors website - www.fultonassessor.org- by entering your address under the Property Records tab. While there, make note of your Parcel ID number.  It’s a 14-digit number you will need for your appeal.  Click on the “Values” tab for your current total assessed value and, again, make note of this figure. It’s the one you may want to challenge.  While on the site, you can also view nearby properties for comparables.   Also contact your real estate professional for help in finding good comparable properties.
 
File an Appeal -
If you choose to appeal your home’s assessment, you must fill out the “Taxpayers’ Return of Real Property” form. It is exactly the same as the Homestead Exemption form and can be found under “Real Property Forms” with some persistent searching.
 
Fill out the “Front” form of the Real Property Tax Return -
The “Front” form is the one you want to fill out and sign. The “Back” form has the instructions for “filling and filing.” The part of the form that is critical to your appeal is about half-way down the “Front” form page, and states: “Owner’s Estimate of Fair Market Value as of January 1st.” You will want to add the year - 2009 — and then add the amount you believe is the actual fair market value of your home.
 
Don’t be Confused -
While this form is also used for filing your Homestead Exemption, filing your Real Property Return does not affect your Homestead Exemption. If you want to know more about Homestead Exemption claims, they are listed under “Property Records” and then “Tax Relief” info on the BOA site.
 
Mail the completed and signed form to the address on the back of the form.  Be sure and keep a copy for your records.