SUMMARY:

            This bill would amend Part 2 of Article 5 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A. to provide for comprehensive revision of the appeal of assessments; to change the deadline for filing for forest land conservation use; to change provisions regarding collection of costs, commissions, interest and penalties; to provide for execution costs; to provide for notification of changes to a taxpayer's return; and to provide for additional tax return filing requirements for utilities. 

REQUIREMENTS:

• The section of the law that establishes a Board of Equalization and procedures that it follows would be eliminated.
• Instead, a taxpayer may file an appeal by agreeing to arbitration in an appeal submitted within 30 days .
• The taxpayer must submit a professional real estate appraisal of the property
• If the county disagrees with the appraisal, then it goes to an arbitrator.  Within 30 days he/she hears testimony and receives documentation and makes a decision.
• If the decision accepts the taxpayer's appraisal, then the county pays the costs of the appraisal and arbitration.
• If either side is not satisfied, the matter may be appealed to superior court.