State law requires notices be sent to property owners advising them of the assessed value of their taxable property and providing them with a reason for any change in value from last year. The current year’s value on the notice will be the value used by the Tax Commissioner in calculating property taxes later in the year.
The annual Notice of Assessment includes an estimate of 2019 property taxes, but it is not a tax bill. The estimate combines the 2019 value with the 2018 millage rates. The actual 2019 millage will be determined by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, the Gwinnett County Board of Education and each city later in the year. The estimates on the notice also do not take into account potential changes to exemptions or fees, such as stormwater, solid waste, streetlights or speed control devices.
This year, about 57 percent of all properties in Gwinnett will see a change in value from the previous year due to market changes in property values. Overall, property sales reflect a real estate market that remains positive with high demand.
County assessment offices are charged by the Georgia Constitution and held accountable by annual audits by the state Department of Revenue to ensure county appraised values are in line with current market values. The Gwinnett County Tax Assessor’s Office uses all data available to conservatively value each property within the state’s constraints.
Chief Appraiser Stewart Oliver said his office is ready to assist Gwinnett property owners with their questions. Furthermore, frequently asked questions are printed on the back of the annual notice of assessment for easy reference. Property owners may also visit the Board of Assessor’s website at www.gwinnett-assessor.com to find answers to frequently asked questions, view and print copies of their annual notice of assessment, research market values, and file an appeal.
According to state law, the estimated amount of taxes cannot be appealed; only the current year’s value can be appealed. Oliver recommended that property owners carefully review the notice to determine if the current year’s value is an accurate reflection of their property’s value. Property value information can be researched at the Gwinnett Tax Assessor’s website or other online sources.
Property owners have 45 days from the date on their annual notice of assessment to file an appeal. Appeals must be in writing; however, Oliver suggests that appeals be filed online at www.gwinnett-assessor.com to expedite the process. To resolve appeals more quickly, property owners should consider sharing relevant information that may affect values, such as changes to the property, damage or needed repairs existing before Jan. 1 early in the appeal process.
Property owners may also contact the Tax Assessor’s Office by email at taxpayer.services@gwinnettcounty.com or by telephone at 770-822-7200 for assistance.
