Interactive: How to read your tax assessment and appeal forms
By Mandi Albright and David Wickert
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It's tax assessment time in metro Atlanta and the AJC wants to help you better understand your tax assessment notice. We also hope to make learning about your county's appeals process easier. Bookmark this page as a go-to resource for easily accessing your county's tax assessment information, general terminology and forms. Click here for the Department of Revenue’s complete list of Georgia county tax officials and their contact information. NOTE: This page was last updated April 8, 2016
» INTERACTIVE MAP: A look back at 2014-15 property tax assessments in your area and around metro Atlanta
» LEARN MORE: FAQs on Georgia property assessments | 5 tips on winning property tax appeals | Georgia taxpayers may gain new rights in assessment disputes
What's in my annual notice of assessment?
All counties in Georgia use a standardized form when sending out annual property tax assessment notices, so the document you receive from your county should generally look like the non-specific form below. The document shown below is the standard Georgia Department of Revenue tax assessment form designated for use by all Georgia counties. For even more information, visit the Department of Revenue's County Property Tax Facts website or view the state's Property Tax Guide. Hover over the interactive graphic below to view individual elements included on your annual tax assessment notice.
When will my assessment be mailed?
Some metro counties have already sent out their residential property tax assessments. Others have yet to do so. Here's a list of metro Atlanta counties and their 2015 mailout dates. 2016 dates may be different. Click on each county name to visit the county tax assessor's website.
- CHEROKEE -- May 11 (tentative)
- CLAYTON -- April 24
- COBB -- May 8
- DEKALB -- May 29
- DOUGLAS -- June 15
- FAYETTE -- May 5 (tentative)
- FORSYTH -- May 15
- FULTON -- June 1-5
- GWINNETT -- Most assessments mailed out April 3
- HENRY -- Assessments mailed April 17
- PAULDING -- May 29
What's in my appeal of tax assessment form?
Georgia counties also use a standardized tax assessment appeals form, so the document you receive from your county should generally look like the non-specific form below. The document shown below is the standard Georgia Department of Revenue tax assessment form designated for use by all Georgia counties. For even more information, read the Department of Revenue's County Property Tax Guide for Georgia Citizens.
-- Source: Georgia Department of Revenue
How long do I have to appeal my assessment?
All counties must allow taxpayers 45 days from the date of the assessment notice to file an appeal. Since counties don’t necessarily mail every notice on the same day, remember that your 45-day appeal period starts from the date on your individual notice. Click on each county name below to learn more about your county's appeals process. This list is simply a guide to general final appeal dates around metro Atlanta. These dates are from 2015. 2016 dates may vary.
- VIEW THE STANDARD GEORGIA APPEAL OF ASSESSMENT FORM HERE
- CHEROKEE -- June 25 (tentative) | Download your appeal form
- CLAYTON -- June 8 | Download your appeal form
- COBB -- June 22 | Download your appeal form
- DEKALB -- July 13 | Download your appeal form
- DOUGLAS -- July 30 | Download your appeal form
- FAYETTE -- June 19 (tentative) | Download your appeal form
- FORSYTH -- June 29 | Download your appeal form
- FULTON -- July 16-20 | Download your appeal form
- GWINNETT -- May 18 | Appeal online
- HENRY -- June 1 | Download your appeal form
- PAULDING -- July 13 | Download your appeal form
