Your Property Tax Appeal Questions Answered Here

[JBB]

I love how the WSB story and this one from WXIA have Fulton officials laying the blame on computers:

"This is different for tax assessors. Certainly we're supposed to know how to calculate taxes and do things, but we usually set the values and hear the appeals,” said Fulton County chief appraiser Burt Manning.

Manning said they did not have access to all of the exemptions so they're not factored in, so some estimates are likely inflated. What could make matters worse is possible error in the calculations.

"We have seen a few instances so far where the program didn't calculate properly," Manning said.

Burt Manning, Fulton County Tax Assessor, tells 11Alive News his Department "made a mistake. The numbers simply didn't add up."

He admits a computer program failed to add numbers correctly and, in perhaps thousands of cases, doubled various sub-totals to come up with a total estimated tax that was "way out of line."

If Fulton County actually has computers which fail to calculate properly, they've got big problems. I think it's far more likely that humans did not tell the computers to calculate the right things.

He's not blaming the computer(s), he's blaming the program... now to identify the programmer... and the people who are supposed to look over the programmer's shoulder.

[Susykm]

If my valuation is low, what is my basis for appeal?  Do I just appeal for it to stay at the same value? I keep hearing that I should appeal, but not sure what I should put on the form.  I've also read that you're better off if you include back up, such as a recent property assessment. I refi'd a few  months ago, and that assessment is higher than my valuation, so I sure wouldn't want to include that...

[ODB 3000]

You dont have to give a reason, or even a value, in order to initiate an appeal. The grounds would be "uniformity and value".

[chrisw]

www.mypropertytaxappeal.net
They handle the entire appeal process for you and work on a contingency basis.

[ODB 3000]

That would be my competition, yes.

Here is a link to my firm's website regarding tax appeals.  We do it all and we actually know the law, unlike many companies out there.  We offer contingency and flat fee billing - whichever makes the most sense for you.

http://clarkcaskey.com/practice-areas/property-tax.php

[Cap'n Ken]

I love how the WSB story and this one from WXIA have Fulton officials laying the blame on computers:

"This is different for tax assessors. Certainly we're supposed to know how to calculate taxes and do things, but we usually set the values and hear the appeals,” said Fulton County chief appraiser Burt Manning.

Manning said they did not have access to all of the exemptions so they're not factored in, so some estimates are likely inflated. What could make matters worse is possible error in the calculations.

"We have seen a few instances so far where the program didn't calculate properly," Manning said.

Burt Manning, Fulton County Tax Assessor, tells 11Alive News his Department "made a mistake. The numbers simply didn't add up."

He admits a computer program failed to add numbers correctly and, in perhaps thousands of cases, doubled various sub-totals to come up with a total estimated tax that was "way out of line."

If Fulton County actually has computers which fail to calculate properly, they've got big problems. I think it's far more likely that humans did not tell the computers to calculate the right things.

He's not blaming the computer(s), he's blaming the program... now to identify the programmer... and the people who are supposed to look over the programmer's shoulder.

Well, he didn't say "our people failed to program it correctly".

[T@Nk]

I have a related procedural question:

If some information (say the # of bathrooms) is listed incorrectly on the property tax site, how do i go about requesting a change?  And will they physically have to come to my house (since they never physically came in before)?

Cheers!

[JBB]

He's not blaming the computer(s), he's blaming the program... now to identify the programmer... and the people who are supposed to look over the programmer's shoulder.

Well, he didn't say "our people failed to program it correctly".

I'm with ya... he very much should have said, "it was due to operator error, and the tax commissioner will use the money he made on his commission to hire someone to fix it right."

[ODB 3000]

I have a related procedural question:

If some information (say the # of bathrooms) is listed incorrectly on the property tax site, how do i go about requesting a change?  And will they physically have to come to my house (since they never physically came in before)?

Cheers!

If simply notifying the county that their record card has an error does not work, then a formal appeal would do it.  If the county does not fix it then, the BOE will order a "field check" to verify the data.  You do not have to let them in the home, though they may ask to verify it.  If you have an appraisal of your house when you bought it showing the beds and baths, that would probably work.  But they have no legal right to go inside, not even if the appeal is taken to court.  I am very wary of letting the county inside.

[Mudd]

This is probably a dumb question.  I'm filling out the Appeals form for Fulton County... there's a box that says I have to select one of the following options, the first being, "BOE: appeal to the county board of equalization with the option to continue to superior court (any/all grounds).... is this the selection for those of us whose appraisals are way over the value?

Thanks in advance - I really appreciate it.

[ODB 3000]

Mudd, yes, you want to select the BOE option.  The only other option for homeowners is binding arbitration.  There is no right to appeal binding arbitration, and I would advise against that.  Folks who own property that is worth over $1million that is not their primary residence can appeal to a hearing officer, which is probably a good way to go if you fall in that category.

[Mudd]

Thanks ODB... great thread!

[Dante]

Question: do we appeal now, or do we wait until we receive the actual assessment later in the summer, not the estimate?

[Cap'n Ken]

And should you appeal when you get a notice that your valuation has gone way down, reflecting reality?

[Mudd]

Question: do we appeal now, or do we wait until we receive the actual assessment later in the summer, not the estimate?

Appeal now. I received my notice of assessment yesterday, and my appeal has to be sento to them by 6/21 or I lose all chances of appealing!