Forsyth Tax Assessment Notices to be Mailed Next Week

The Forsyth County Board of Tax Assessors will be sending out state-required annual assessment notices to all people who own property in Forsyth County. The assessment notices are scheduled to be mailed out beginning on Friday, May 16.

“It is important for Forsyth County property owners to realize the assessment notice is not a bill and that a notice will be sent to all Forsyth County property owners regardless of whether or not their property was reassessed,” said Chief Appraiser Mary Kirkpatrick in a release. “The dollar amount included on this informational notice is purely an estimate and will be based on the previous year’s millage rate.”

Property owners should not send in payments upon receipt of the tax notices, as the data is for informational purposes. Property owners should note that the estimate is based on the previous year’s millage rate, which is subject to change before the actual tax bill goes out later in the year.

Appeal Process

Property owners will have the opportunity to appeal their property value as shown on the assessment notice for 45 days after the date of the notice.

The appeal process contains three different options for property owners. One option is the Board of Equalization, which is comprised of three citizens appointed by the Grand Jury to hear property tax appeals. There is no charge for this option of the appeal process.

Other appeal options contain fees. In one such option, a property owner may choose to move forward with the process of arbitration without an appeal to Superior Court.

Another appeal option would involve an owner of a Non-Homestead property valued at more than $1,000,000 deciding to appeal to a hearing officer with appeal rights to Superior Court.

Property owners wishing to appeal their property value must submit the appeal in writing. Appeal process details can be found on the Board of Assessors’ department page at www.forsythco.com.

“Taxpayers desiring to appeal the estimated property value shown on the assessment notice should indicate which appeal process they elect to utilize when they submit their appeal,” Kirkpatrick said.

Property Tax Returns

It is important for property owners to remember that filing a property tax return between January 1 and April 1 is not an appeal. This return is for the purpose of informing the Forsyth County Board of Assessors about changes in your property, to request a value adjustment or to provide any information the Assessors may need to arrive at the correct value.

For more information, visit the Board of Assessors’ department page at www.forsythco.com or call 770-781-2106.