Fulton property assessments on way; 5 things you need to know

Fulton County will send its 2018 property assessments out today. If you own a home in the county, here are the five things you need to know. 1. RISING VALUES: In many cases, property values will be substantially higher this year. In 2017, Fulton County leaders froze values at 2016 levels after residents complained about huge jumps in their values. That won’t happen again, though the values are even higher. Before last year’s freeze, property values were up an average of 13 percent in the county. This year, residential values are an average of 11 percent higher than those original 2017 values in Atlanta, and an average of 19 percent higher in the rest of the county.

Members of the county’s board of assessors say they’re accurate

after appraisers spent much of this year going over property values. That board approved this year’s values in April. County leaders have spent a lot of time warning residents that property values have been rising, and their assessments are likely to be higher.

2. RISING TAXES? Those higher values are likely to translate into higher property taxes for most residents. While local governments have the ability to adjust their tax rates down, the change may not fully eliminate tax increases for most people. Tax rates have yet to be set, so it’s impossible to tell now how much the change in property values will affect property taxes in Fulton. 3. HOW IT HAPPENED: The county got here by failing to keep

up with property values over the course of several years as they rose following the recession. A recent report from a Department of Revenue Performance Review Board said the county had not performed a comprehensive reevaluation of all property since 2006.

It faulted the county for failing to maintain an accurate and uniform tax digest, and said the appraiser’s office was disorganized. In 2013, Fulton County government was fined $1.72 million for problems with its tax digest. That fine was deferred until 2019, and will be waived if Fulton has addressed its issues by then.

4. FILING AN APPEAL: Even though the digest appears to be more accurate now, your individual values may seem off. If they of their homes — could have are, you can appeal the values. to pay. Homeowners whose To do so, go to fultonassessor.org/property-appeals properties are valued up to $60,000 would pay property to find details about online taxes on only the first filing and forms that can be $10,000. printed to appeal through the Residents in the Fulton mail. The window to appeal County Schools’ area will get property values is 45 days to vote on a provision that from the date the assessment limits assessed values from notice is mailed. going up more than 3 percent

5. TAX RELIEF PLANS: each year, regardless of the Legislators passed a number actual increase in property of bills that will give Fulton values on a home. The same residents the chance to choice will go before voters vote on property tax relief in Alpharetta, Mountain in 2019 and in the future, Park, Milton, Johns Creek and though none of them will be Roswell. Sandy Springs and effective this year. This fall, Fulton County already have residents in Atlanta will have similar provisions. the chance to increase the Another measure targeted base homestead exemption the city of Atlanta portion of for Atlanta Public Schools the tax bill. Like the bills for from $30,000 to $50,000 the Fulton County Schools until 2021. If approved by voters, and the north Fulton cities, it it would mean some residents would provide a homestead who previously paid exemption on city taxes that nothing in school property limits assessed values from taxes — because the $30,000 going up more than 2.6 percent exemption covered the value each year.