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By Ron Barnes
Associate Broker - Prudential Georgia Realty
Past President - Pickens County Board of Realtors®
I do not know anyone who looks forward to paying property taxes. Many people feel they don't get enough in return for what they pay. I have received several calls lately from property owners who believe that the current real estate market has affected their home's tax base. In other words, if your home didn't sell for $325,000 in 2008, and your Realtor® says you need to consider lowering the price to $295,000 in order to sell during the tough market, you feel like you've been cheated out of $30,000. However, you're still paying property taxes at the same assessment.
I am not an expert on property taxes, but I will tell you later where to get information, assistance, and advice on how to appeal your property tax assessment. I can also say from personal experience that the folks we have working in the tax assessor's office are capable, cooperative, patient, reasonable, and helpful in assisting you in determining whether you have a legitimate complaint, and how to deal with it. I would advise you to gather as much information as possible to support your claim. Furthermore, be courteous in your approach. These folks have a difficult and important job to perform, and doing it does not mean they are out to "get you".
Property taxes are one component of the system by which cities and counties gather revenue to support the various services they perform. Other components include sales tax revenue, building permits, licenses, and other fees and taxes collected. Property tax is calculated by applying the millage rate to the property valuation. Therefore, your tax bill can be increased by either increasing the millage rate for everyone, or by increasing the individual property assessment. The city and county can cut expenses to the bone, but if they don't provide for police and fire protection, road repairs, schools, and other essential services, your life will be critically affected by more serious problems than a tax bill. Millage rates are adjusted to pay for essential services, and if everyone got a reduced appraisal, their millage rate would go up to compensate.
Sound confusing? Then go to www.Qpublic.net and navigate your way to Pickens County, where you will see on the right a button entitled Video. There you may view a terrific presentation on everything most people need to know about property tax. If you still feel like you are not being treated fairly, the assessor's office will provide you with the necessary forms and assistance to appeal your assessment.
In the meantime, if you want to lower your property taxes, do your shopping in Pickens County. The sales tax revenue you will generate will help offset your property tax bill, and you will contribute to the financial health of the community.
Ron Barnes can be reached at 678-520-6648. Prudential Georgia Realty is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential FinancialCompany. Equal Housing Opportunity. Statistics are taken from Trendgraphics.
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