When I started filing my own tax appeals, I never considered that anyone besides myself would represent me and my properties. I assumed that if anyone who wanted to appeal their property taxes and wanted representation in their case, they would have to hire a lawyer. However, lawyers are expensive. Even beyond that, very few lawyers specialize in tax appeals.
Here is the thing, when people hear the word “appeal”, it is often associated with court appeals. However, the truth of the matter is that property tax appeals are not anything like court appeals. And most tax appeals do not require or involve lawyers at all.
With homeowners, many simply represent themselves in tax appeals. Or if they need help, they ask a family member or someone they know to assist. Many real estate investors file tax appeals themselves or enlist someone like me, a fellow real estate investor, to help them out. In these cases, the property owner is involved in the tax appeal process and get help on certain parts that they need help on. But they remain in the driver’s seat.
There is a small segment of tax appeals who are real estate investors of commercial properties who do need professional help them to deal with their tax appeals. Commercial property tax appeals are largely outside the scope and audience of this website.
One reason I launched GTAI, is that I dislike seeing property owners intimidated by the the tax appeal process. I dislike seeing property owners stick their heads in the sand while year after year they subject themselves to increasing property taxes when they can easily do something about it.
I encourage all property owners to learn more, be involved, and stop overpaying property taxes! Get off the sidelines and learn to file property tax appeals! It isn’t difficult if you understand the system.
For years, I encouraged and reminded friends and associates to file tax appeals. A few will do it but most will not because they are for one reason or another. Some of the reasons are:
- They are intimidated by the thought of “fighting city hall”.
- They believe that “city hall” will retaliate against them.
- It is too time time-consuming.
- It is too complicated.
- It is not worth it.
- Why try? They will likely lose.
- They don’t like paperwork.
- They don’t want to communicate with the tax assessors office.
It is because of these reasons, I created GTAI. GTAI is for Georgia property owners who want to learn how to help themselves! Over time, it has been too difficult to explain and disseminate all the information I acquired and learned over the years. Hence, I write, document, and share my knowledge, experiences, insights, and anecdotes through this website.
I believe that most property owners should at least learn the basics of how to file tax appeals. It is the only way get some control over your property taxes. And if you do conceptually understand how tax appeals work in practice, you can certainly ask someone to assist you in your case.
But don’t be oblivious to the process. It will cost you lots of money with you paying extra property taxes unnecessarily year after year. Learn how to fight for your yourself.
I wrote a book “TAX FREEZE: How to File & Win Property Taxes in Georgia” (available on Amazon) which will help you through you property tax appeals.
I launched a new YouTube channel called TAX FREEZE Command. You should subscribe to it to get my latest insights and information on GA property tax appeals and other tax matters.
I also have a playlist of YouTube videos for property owners to educate themselves about the GA property tax appeal process.