Fulton County’s tax digest is rejected by state, bills will be delayed

A letter from the state department of revenue to Fulton County Tax Commissioner Arthur Ferdinand said the county’s tax digest had been rejected. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

A letter from the state department of revenue to Fulton County Tax Commissioner Arthur Ferdinand said the county’s tax digest had been rejected. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Fulton County leaders have asked a judge for an order to allow the county to collect its property taxes, after the state department of revenue rejected the county tax digest this week.

Earlier this year, county commissioners decided to freeze property assessments at 2016 values after residents complained about a huge increase in values.

PREVIOUS VIDEO: How Fulton leaders handled tax complaints

The decision delayed the entire process for sending tax bills as the county waited for the state’s approval. In a scathing letter sent Wednesday, the state department of revenue said Fulton did not comply with the law. Among other issues, commercial property owners in the county paid a disparate amount of taxes, compared to residential owners.

The letter additionally questioned the legal basis for Fulton’s decision to freeze values.

A hearing to determine whether Fulton can go ahead and collect property taxes is scheduled for Nov. 3.

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