LAST DAY TO FILE PROPERTY TAX APPEALS IS THIS FRIDAY...READ THIS FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Attention Homeowners! Even if you don’t think you should file a property tax appeal – read this article and you may change your mind – it could save you thousands.

People tell me all the time – “I think my assessment is about right, I don’t think there is any reason to appeal” – wrong! You can protect yourself from the tax assessor raising your assessment over the next two years – which could save you thousands – now that the real estate market is starting to improve, you can bet the tax assessor will look at that fact when they assess your property for 2014 and 2015!! - Go to my website, www.boetaxappeals.com, then to FAQ - look at FAQ #3 to find out how to protect yourself.

Here’s another one, “I think my assessment is actually lower than my fair market value – I’d be crazy to appeal this great assessment and risk it going higher” – wrong! - the county cannot raise your assessment for the current year once they have published it by sending you the Annual Notice of Assessment (which they have already sent you) – so, there is no risk to you in appealing – your assessment cannot go any higher - if you appeal, you could “freeze” that assessment for the current year PLUS two more years – it could save you thousands over the next two years – go to my website, www.boetaxappeals.com, then to FAQ - look at FAQ #3 to see how to freeze your great assessment for two more years and to prevent the tax assessor from being able to raise your tax assessment until 2016!!

[Note:  Time limit on filing your property tax appeal: for most people, last day to file an appeal in DeKalb is July 12, 2013 – for most people, last day to file an appeal in Fulton is July 29].

Walter Hotz

Attorney, Property Tax Specialist