Notice to Taxpayers from Tax Assessors Office:
The Forsyth County Tax Assessors Office mailed the 2009 Assessment Notices to taxpayers on May 22, 2009. We have received more than 5,000 Returns of Real Property this year and wish to express our gratitude to those who have provided extra information concerning their property. We have been able to utilize this information in our analysis and calculations for this year’s assessment valuations. The Tax Assessors Office would like to remind all Forsyth County taxpayers about some of the ground rules we have to operate under.
First, assessment values are set as of January 1 of each year. This means, typically, we look at the sales activity from the past 12 months to help establish values for the current year. With the market challenges experienced this past year, we felt it prudent to give more weight to the sales which occurred during the last half of the year. Second, we are required to look at “any other factors deemed pertinent in arriving at fair market value” (OCGA 48-5-2). This includes foreclosures. We have attempted to make adjustments, accordingly, where there have been concentrations of foreclosure activity. Third, the State Department of Audits continues to check our valuations using several techniques at their disposal. They grade us on overall fair market value levels and uniformity amongst classes of properties. If we fall outside the range of acceptable valuation or uniformity, Forsyth County can be penalized in fees or, ultimately, be unable to receive approval of the tax digest.
We bring these points to your attention because the 45-day appeal period begins once the Assessment Notices are mailed. If you choose to appeal your assessment this year, we ask you to provide an estimate of value (please avoid using generalized statements including “the value is too high” or “the market is down”), along with adequate documentation to support your estimate (including pictures of structural damage with repair estimates, market data, square footage, recent appraisal). Newspaper articles concerned with national or regional market trends, alone, are not considered “adequate documentation”. Every bit of information you can provide will help us resolve your appeal in a timely manner. Many times people who appeal do not tell us anything until the appeal reaches the Board of Equalization, where they bring something to light that, had they told us earlier, would have avoided a costly and time-consuming board hearing.
One final note: When you file an appeal, an appraiser from the Tax Assessors Office will visit your property within a month (this may vary). The appraiser is required to verify the information we have about your property is correct. The appraiser will knock on your door and ask a few questions pertaining to the information you have provided, and then he/she will check the measurements around the outside of the structure. There will be no need for the appraiser to enter the interior unless specifically requested by you, the property owner.
We thank you for your attention and look forward to serving you during the coming months.
Forsyth County Tax Assessors Office
Labels: appeal, forsyth county, notice, property tax, tax assessor
