Results from contesting property taxes

[Andrea F.]

Greetings all, just wanted to share my positive news that I just got a property tax down from $3,550 to $397. This was for a Fulton County (Atlanta) SFR foreclosure we purchased in December 2010 for ~ $24,000. The $3,550 seemed outrageous. In 2010 it was valued at $72,300/ taxable value $28,920. In 2011 the taxable value went DOWN to $9,000 but the taxes went UP almost double.

Anyway, I contested the amount, and sent the paperwork off into the abyss. One month later, I've saved $3,100... AND what's most amazing is that they actually sent the notice to the right address!

As someone who is still in the learning curve, I'm happy with this little triumph and recommend any others new to a surprising property tax statement to take a moment to contest them.

[Andrea F.]

I'm not sure if it's the same protocol everywhere, but it was pretty straightforward for Fulton County (Atlanta). I typed up a cover letter briefly stating the facts. I then included a copy of the original document I received in the mail with the erroneous tax sum, and then filled out the Fulton County Appeal for Assessment (1 page form). I selected the option "BOE: appeal to the county board of equalization with the option to continue to superior court (any / all grounds)".
This form can be downloaded from here: http://www.fultonassessor.org/Forms/HtmlFrame.aspx?mode=content/PersonalProperty.htm
There are also more detailed instructions for more complicated cases and info on what the process may require.
http://www.fultonassessor.org/Forms/HtmlFrame.aspx?mode=content/HowToAppeal.htm&LMparent=178
Hope that helps anyone in Fulton County, as well as anyone wondering the steps to contest their property tax.