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General Information
Real Property vs. Personal Property
Real Property is land and improvements on the land. Personal Property includes movable items not permanently affixed to or part of the real estate, such as motor vehicles, mobile homes, airplanes and boats.
Appraisal Process
We use 3 approaches in appraising your property:
- The sales comparison: Based on sales prices of comparable properties. "Sales price" is a historical fact from a particular transaction which may or may not reflect the conditions of a normal market. "Market value" is a theoretical notion of what a knowledgeable buyer would pay a willing seller in a normal market.
- 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.
Filing a Return
While filing a Taxpayer Return of Real Property is not always necessary it can be helpful to the appraisal process. In prior years returns were required to be made if you made improvements so to avoid penalties. However, that is changed and not required any longer. However, if you would like to inform us of any improvements or removal of improvements this is a good way to do that. More importantly this process is a good avenue for letting us know you would like for us to re-look at your property appraisal. This gives you a head start on the reappraisal process and potentially resolves any issues you might have on the front end of the appraisal process.
Georgia law requires that you make a property tax return on real estate if:
- You made improvements to property you own
- You wish to claim homestead exemption
- You wish to apply for special exemptions such as senior citizens, school tax or disabled veterans
- You wish to apply for special covenants such as conservation use (farm use), transitional use or historical property (applications not received year round for conservation use exemptions)
If you feel your appraised value is incorrect, you may file a Property Tax Return to declare what you believe to be the fair market value of your property. Our staff will review all Returns, and if we accept your Return Value, that value will be used for property tax billing that year. If we do not accept your Return Value, we will mail an assessment change notice to you, which will give you 45 days to file an appeal form (PDF).
Review & Inspections
Reviews and inspections may be conducted pursuant to state law O.C.G.A. 48-5-264.1. A member of the Hall County Appraisal Staff may visit your property to review the property information. The visit may be in response to one or more of the following; a return filed, an appeal filed, new construction of improvement or addition, change in zoning, review of parcel information, conservation use application or exempt property application.
The field appraiser will have proper identification and will be driving a marked county vehicle. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 770-531-6720.
Contact Us
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Steve Watson
Chief Appraiser
Phone: 770.531.6720NEWS
John Smith, Deputy Chief Appraiser named, GAAO 2022 Member of the Year
GAAO 2022 Office of Excellence Award
Watson Elected to GAAO Executive Board
Click on one of the links below to listen to Martha Zoller interview Steve Watson on the WDUN Morning Talk Show discussing real estate market conditions, property valuations, property tax and property tax exemptions.
Physical Address
2875 Browns Bridge Road
Gainesville, GA 30504
Mailing Addresses
Real Property
P.O. Box 2895
Gainesville, GA 30503
Personal Property
P.O. Box 1780
Gainesville, GA 30503
Hours
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Real Estate
Phone: (770)531-6720
Fax: (770)531-3968
Personal Property
Phone: (770)531-6749
Fax: (770)531-6754
Email the Tax Assessors' Office for contact information for the Board of Tax Assessor Open Records Custodian.