Cherokee County Property Owners Will Soon Get Assessment Notices

The Cherokee County Tax Assessor’s Office is mailing annual property assessment notices this week.

The Cherokee County Board of Tax Assessors approved the 2024 Notice of Assessment list on at its regular meeting May 9, reflecting an overall digest increase of 6.5%, including new construction. The assessor’s office began mailing annual property assessment notices May 13.

The assessment notice is not a bill. The tax commissioner’s office will mail property tax bills later in the year.

Assessors establish their appraisals as of Jan. 1 of each year, as dictated by state law. A crucial part of the assessment process is to review the 2023 market sales and adjust the appraisals as closely as possible to reflect those sales.

“As you receive your assessment notices, please look at the Assessor’s Office value and consider if you could sell your house for that amount,” said Chief Appraiser Steve Swindell. “Due to the methodology utilized by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts, which determines whether or not the tax assessors are performing their duties properly, and the rapidly changing market we are experiencing, we have completed our appraisals to the absolute highest degree of the standard required by the State of Georgia for 2024.”

Residential properties with an existing homestead exemption will continue to receive the standard $5,000 exemption and the floating homestead exemption. The floating homestead exemption increases at the same rate as the property’s value increases, lessening the amount of County Maintenance and Operations tax the property owners pays on their property tax bill later in the year.

Those with a senior school tax exemption will see an increase in their exemption amount for school maintenance and operation and school bond taxes, up to $501,000 of fair market value. The senior school tax exemption is adjusted according to the Social Security Index.

A referendum to eliminate the cap on value for the senior school tax exemption is on the May 21 General Primary ballot , but, if passed, will not go into effect until next year.

An estimated tax bill notice on the assessment notice currently is required by state law and is calculated based on the millage rates set last year. Historically, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has reduced its controlled millage rate to at least partially offset the financial impact to property owners.

Property owners are encouraged to visit www.cherokeega.com/tax-assessors-office , click on Real Estate Search and ensure the details on their property are correct (number of bedrooms, basement, etc.). This tool also can be used to review sales in the neighborhood.

Those who wish to appeal their assessment value will need to file an appeal by June 27, which can be done by mailing the appeal to the Board of Tax Assessors office at 2782 Marietta Highway, Suite 200, Canton, GA 30114, or by faxing the appeal to 678-493-6125.

To expedite the process, those wishing to appeal their property’s value should provide any reasoning and documentation in the initial written appeal. For questions, call the Tax Assessor’s Office at 678-493-6120.