Exemption Questions

Any questions regarding  the filing or qualifications of EXEMPTIONS should be directed to The Tax Assessors Office at 678-493-6120; as they are in charge of exemptions.

Open Records Request

All open record requests should be directed to Dana McKinzie at dmckinzie@cherokeega.com

**Important information for buyers**

It is important for you to understand, as a new property owner you will NOT receive a property tax bill on the property you just purchased this year, until you or the seller submits a settlement statement to our office.  Georgia law requires the Tax Office to bill the owner of property as of January 1st of each year. However if you or the seller faxes a copy of the closing settlement to 678-493-6423, we will be able to change the bill into the correct owners name, if purchased before 12/20 of the 2009 tax year.

Cherokee County tax bills are scheduled to be mailed in October and due in December. When the seller receives the tax bill, on occasion he will forward the bill to the new owner. To protect your interest in this property it is important to note, if you have not received a tax bill by November 1 to contact the Tax Commissioner’s Office at 678-493-6400 and request a copy of the bill or print a copy off of the web site, please remember to fax a copy of the settlement statement to our office to have the bill changed out of your name and into the new owners name. Although the tax bill will be in the name of the former owner, the law states that when taxes become delinquent a tax lien is placed against the property.

Please note: There is no provision in the law for the tax office to prorate taxes based on partial-year ownership of property. Any pro-ration of taxes must be made between the buyer and seller at the time of transfer of property.

**Important information for sellers**

Georgia Property taxes are based on the ownership of property as of January 1 of each year. If you sold the property on or after January 1 of this year you will need to fax a copy of your final settlement agreement to 678-493-6423, this will allow us to change the bill to the new owners name. If pro-ration of taxes has been made, it is in your best interest to forward the tax bill to the new owner and contact the Tax Commissioner’s Office to insure that the buyer has paid the taxes by the due date as agreed.

Think your assessment is too high???

Please note- if you feel your property has been assigned too high a value for tax purposes, it is your right to file a tax return with the Tax Assessor's Office and state the value you consider to be accurate.  Tax returns may be filed anytime between January 1 and march 1.  If you file a return, you will be notified of whether the Assessor's Office agrees with your stated value through an Assessment Notice.

CHECK RETURN POLICY

Note: Once a return check has been recieved; all future payments will be required to be paid with cash or certified funds.

TAGS
Your tag will be seized if your check is returned. Your tag will be cancelled and seized immediately with no prior notice. You will be charged a $20.00 tag fee for the purchase of a new tag in addition to the $30.00 or 5 percent of the face amount of the check, whichever is greater for the returned check fee.

PROPERTY TAX
Your bill will be reopened and any interest and penalties will be added to the amount in addition to the $30.00 or 5 percent of the face amount of the check, whichever is greater for the returned Check Fee.

If the restitution on the return check is not paid by the time allotted it will be turned over to The Magistrate’s Office for the issuance of a warrant.