Property is taxable in the county where it is located unless otherwise provided
by law. (O.C.G.A. & sect; 48-5-11)
Generally, Stephens County real estate and business personal property taxes are
due by November 15. If taxes are not collected on the property, it may be levied
upon and ultimately sold. Property tax collected by the local government is used
to pay for the support of services provided by the Stephens County Board of Education,
Stephens County and the State of Georgia.
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Points of Interest
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Exemptions
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Assessed Values
In Georgia property is assessed at 40% of the fair market value unless otherwise
specified by law. (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-7) Property is assessed at the
county level. The State Revenue Commissioner is responsible for examining the tax
digests of counties in Georgia in order to determine that property is assessed uniformly
and equally between and within the counties. (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-340)
The tax bills received by property owners will include both the fair market value
and the assessed value of the property. Fair market value means "the amount
a knowledgeable buyer would pay for the property and a willing seller would accept
for the property at an arm's length, bona fide sale." (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-2)
Property owners that do not agree with the appraised value on their tax bill can
file an appeal with the Board of Assessors. (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-311) If no agreement is reached,
the appeal is automatically forwarded to the Board of Equalization.
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Timber
Standing timber is not taxed until sold or harvested, at which time it is taxed
based upon 100 percent of its fair market value. This value is then multiplied by
the appropriate mill rate to determine the tax amount due.
Equipment, Machinery, and Fixtures
Equipment, machinery, and fixtures are assessed at 40 percent of fair market value.
The tax assessor may value the equipment, machinery, and fixtures of a going business
to reflect the fair market value of the business as a whole. When no ready market
exists for the sale of equipment, machinery, and fixtures, a fair market value may
be determined by resorting to any reasonable, relevant, and useful information available.
This information may include, but is not limited to, the original cost of the property,
depreciation or obsolescence, and any increase in value by reason of inflation.
Property Tax Returns
Property tax returns for real estate must be filed with the Stephens County Tax
Assessor at the Courthouse between January 1 and April 1 of each year where property
has changed or been acquired. The taxpayer may elect not to file a property tax
return if they have no changes that would affect the value of their property from
the previous year. Failure to file a required return will subject the taxpayer to
a 10% penalty on the value of the property not returned plus interest and possibly
penalties from the date the tax would have been due.
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Personal property tax returns (PT-50p) are to be filled annually with the Board of Assessors
without regard to change in value or use. This deadline is April 1.
Motor Vehicle Registration
Vehicle owners must renew their registration and pay the ad valorem tax every year
during the 30-day period, which ends on their birthday. If the vehicle is owned
by more than one person, then the birthday of the person's name that appears first
on the title is used to determine the registration period. Newly acquired vehicles
must be registered within 30 days from the date of purchase. The Stephens County
tag office is located in the Stephens County Government Building, 205 N. Alexander
St., Room 103. Hours are from 8:00 – 4:30, Monday - Friday. Phone (706) 886-4753.
For more detailed information regarding motor vehicle registration, please visit
our DMV web page.
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Mobile/Modular Home Location Permits
Owners of mobile homes that are located in Stephens County on January 1 must return
the mobile home for taxation to the Tax Commissioner on or before May 1 of each
year at the same time they apply for the location permit. Failure to file the required
return will result in a 10% tax penalty.
It should be noted that there are two opportunities for a mobile/modular homeowner
to appeal their valuation, one is during the return period and the other is within
45 days of when the bill is mailed. Bills for mobile/modular homes in Stephens County
are usually mailed January 2.
Ad Valorem Tax Refunds
If a taxpayer discovers they have paid taxes that they believe were illegal or erroneous,
they may request a refund within 3 years of the date of payment. The claim for refund
should be filed in writing with the board of commissioners within three years after
the date of payment. Applications for refunds are available from the Board of Assessors
or the Tax Commissioner. Refunds for erroneous paid taxes must be based on "errors
of fault" and not on disagreements of value.
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EXEMPTIONS
Exemptions can typically be defined as a portion of the assessed value that will
be free of taxation.
Homestead Exemptions
The deadline for filing an application for a homestead exemption in Stephens County
is March 1. Application for homestead exemption is made with the Tax Assessor’s
office. Failure to apply by the deadline will result in loss of the exemption for
that year. Beginning July 1, 2005 application for homestead exemption may be submitted
any time during the year but must be received before March 1 of the taxable year
to qualify for the exemption that year. If received after March 1, the tax assessor
will activate the exemption the following year.
The State of Georgia offers homestead exemptions to persons that own and occupy
their home as a primary residence. Stephens County offers homestead exemptions that
are more beneficial to the taxpayer than the exemptions offered by the State. For
information concerning local homestead exemptions contact the Tax Assessor’s
Office. The homestead exemption is deducted from the assessed value (40% of the
fair market value) of the home. Then the mill rate is applied to arrive at the amount
of ad valorem tax due.