We have developed a list of the questions taxpayers most frequently
ask us and provide it here for you to use whenever you have a question
about personal property valuation and taxation in Hall County. Click
on the question you have, and you will be taken directly to the
answer. If you cannot find your particular question on this list,
please feel free to give us a call, and we will be glad to help.
Our number is listed on the contacts
page.
1. What is the meaning of ad valorem property taxes?
Ad Valorem is Latin for "according to value," and is
thought to be a fair basis for collecting taxes because the tax
is proportional to your ability to pay and the benefits you gain
from the services the county provides. It is a local tax that reflects
local budget priorities.
2. Who determines the value of my property for tax purposes?
The Hall County Property Appraisal and Assessment Administration
determines your property value. This responsibility is managed by
the Chief Appraiser, under the supervision of the Board of Tax Assessors.
3. Who appoints the Board of Tax Assessors?
The members of the Board of Tax Assessors are appointed by the
Hall County Board of Commissioners.
4. How can I contact the Board of Tax Assessors?
You can contact the Hall County Tax Assessors by telephone at (770)
531-6720.
If you contact the office by telephone, please remember that the
Assessors are members of a part-time citizens board, and may not
be available. You may have to leave a message, but please rest assured
that an Assessor will return your call as soon as possible.
5. What control does the Board of Commissioners have
over this office?
None, with the exception that the Board of Commissioners retains
budgetary control over this office.
6. Who appoints the Chief Appraiser?
The Chief Appraiser is appointed by the Board of Tax Assessors.
7. What level of laws govern the Tax Assessors?
Tax Assessors are governed by state law and provisions of the Georgia
Constitution.
8. If I do not agree with these laws, who can I turn to?
If you feel the laws governing taxation can be improved, you may
contact your State representative(s)/legislator(s) to discuss your
concerns and suggestions.
9. Does the Tax Commissioner report to or control the Tax Assessors?
No.
10. What is the main duty of the Tax Commissioner in the ad valorem
taxation process?
The main duty of the Tax Commissioner is to collect taxes as assessed
through application of the ad valorem process.
11. What determines an individual property tax amount?
Your tax amount is calculated using a combination of your property
value and the millage rate.
12. What is the arithmetic of the process?
Here is an example calculation that illustrates the process:
Market value $100,000
x assessment ratio (40%) 0.40
= assessed value $40,000
exemptions $10,000
= taxable assessed value $30,000
x mil rate 0.041
= your tax bill $1,230
13. What is the meaning of the term "tax digest?"
The tax digest is the sum of all the assessed values, after exemptions,
of properties to be taxed within a particular jurisdiction.
14. What are the steps used by the Assessors when appraising
my property?
We use three approaches in appraising your property:
The sales comparison based on sales prices of comparable
properties
The cost approach based on the estimated costs of replacement
or reproduction of structures, less accumulated depreciation, plus
land value
The income capitalization process based on how investors
put prices on investment properties.
15. What is the difference between sales price and market value?
"Market value" is a theoretical notion of what a knowledgeable
buyer would pay a willing seller in a normal market. "Sales
price" is a historical fact from a particular transaction which
may or may not reflect the conditions of a normal market.
16. What is the assessment value in Georgia, and who sets it?
The assessment percentage is 40% of market, and is set according
to the laws of Georgia.
17. If my property value and assessment remain the same, can my
tax bill change?
Yes. The tax rate is the product of two items the assessed
value and the mill rate; a change in either can impact your tax
bill.
18. How can you have a tax increase with no mill rate change?
A change in your assessed value or the loss of an exemption could
produce a tax increase for you. The millage rate alone does not
constitute "taxes."
19. What constitutes a millage rate?
The millage rate is calculated by dividing the total amount of
money to be raised through property taxes by the total value of
the tax digest.
20. Who sets these rates?
Millage rates are set by the School Board, the county governing
authority, and any other taxing authorities in whose jurisdiction
your property is located.
21. Do I get an exemption from some assessed value and a reduction
in taxes because I own a home and live in it?
Yes. This is known as a homestead exemption. Applications for homestead
exemptions in Hall County are accepted between January 1st and
March 1st each year. Failure to file constitutes your waiver of
the exemption for that year.
22. Are there any other special exemptions?
Yes. There are several special exemptions which are on file in
the Tax Commissioner's office. You can also go to our exemptions
information page for additional information and points of contact.
23. What latitude does the Board have to extend deadlines for filing
Freeport or Homestead exemptions?
None. The law does not provide grace periods.
24. I disagree with my appraised value. Are there any avenues for
appeal?
Yes, provided you have appeal rights for any given year. The grounds
for appeal are:
Value
Taxability
Equalization
The avenues available to you for appeal are:
The Board of Tax Assessors
The Board of Equalization or Arbitration
Superior Court
Additional information is available on our Valuation Appeal Process
page.
25. What are my responsibilities, obligations, and procedures for
an appeal?
Appeals may be started in response to assessment change notices
generated by the Property Appraisal and Assessment Administration
office. You can file a return between January 1st and March 1st
declaring your opinion of value, or the Tax Assessors may reappraise
your property. Either of these actions will result in an Assessment
Change Notice. Once you receive a change notice, you must respond
before the deadline included in the notice.
26. What kind of information can I provide to help the appeal process
work better?
We invite you to provide transaction information and photographs
of similar properties that have sold recently.
27. Isn't the objective of the Board of Tax Assessors to generate
as much revenue as possible by keeping the assessed values up?
No. Budgets are the focus of other departments. The State of Georgia
evaluates our department and its tax digest for accuracy and conducts
statistical sample tests. The objective of our office is to get
our total assessed value right when the State reviews us. Failure
to meet State standards for accuracy can result in penalties for
our office.
28. What is the Board of Equalization and are there any costs for
their services?
The Board of Equalization is a body selected and appointed by the
Grand Jury, and is composed of citizens who are eligible to serve
on a grand jury. There are no costs to you for using their services
in an appeal.
29. What is arbitration and are there any costs to me as an appellant?
Arbitration is an option that you may use as an alternative to
having an appeal heard by the Board of Equalization. Each side in
an appeal must select and bear the cost of an arbitrator, as well
as half the cost for a third arbitrator.
30. What are the costs for a Superior Court appeal?
A Superior Court appeal requires a $67.50 filing fee.
31. If I appeal my valuation, will the resulting decision be used
in future years?
Under a recent State law, the Board of Tax Assessors cannot alter
the result of the Board of Equalization or Court for two years,
without an on-site inspection of the property.
32. What are the implications of the HOST 1% Option Sales Tax Referendum?
The county portion of your tax bill is reduced. Not everyone receives
the same reduction. And, homesteaded properties receive the most
reduction.
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