The deadline for filing an appeal over property tax assessment in Augusta/Richmond County is Monday July 29; meanwhile, Columbia County’s deadline of July 25 has passed.
Some area residents may have experienced a bit of sticker shock when they opened their tax assessments this year as inflation is causing appraised home values to skyrocket. However, the estimated amount on the assessments that have been sent out is based on last year’s millage rate of 6.664.
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The mill rate or millage is applied to a property’s taxable value to determine the amount the owner must pay in property taxes when bills go out in September. For example, a property valued at $100,000, which has a taxable value of $40,000, faces a bill of 40 times the mill rate for city taxes. School taxes and solid waste fees add more.
According to Tax Commissioner Chris Johnson, his office is getting ready to make presentations to the Augusta Commission when that body meets next month to discuss this year’s millage rate.
Commissioners have a track record of “rolling back” the millage rate; they have done so for 13 of the past 19 years, so the actual bill may be lower than what is shown on the assessment.
Homeowners should study the tax assessment carefully to make sure exemptions, such as homestead or disability, are reflected on the document and keep in mind that any improvements made on the property, such as a new deck or swimming pool will cause the assessment to be higher.
While the Tax Assessor’s Office is not known to be prone to mistakes, they do happen. One resident was shocked to find out the assessment for his home nearly doubled, but then discovered the assessment for his single family home was accidently re-classified as a duplex.
“Our house was originally constructed to be a duplex, but we converted it to a single residence nearly 20 years ago. So, somewhere they got their wires crossed,” the resident said.
According to Johnson, if a discrepancy is found, the homeowner should appeal to the Tax Assessor’s Office and not the Tax Commissioner, as the Tax Commissioner’s Office is the tax collection agency, not the agency that conducts appraisals.
“We get calls all the time, and we don’t mind trying to answer people’s questions, but only the Tax Assessor’s Office can adjust the bills or fix a discrepancy,” Johnson said.
Those wishing to appeal can fill out the form online or visit the Tax Assessor’s Office in person.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
