Property Taxes
What to Do When County Property Records Are Wrong
Inaccurate county records are a common, correctable source of an inflated property tax assessment.
Because Georgia counties value tens or hundreds of thousands of properties using mass-appraisal models built on existing records, a single outdated or incorrect data point can inflate your assessed value for years without anyone noticing — until you look closely. Here's what commonly goes wrong, and how to get it fixed.
Common Record Errors
Square Footage
County records may be based on outdated permits or estimates rather than actual measured living area — a common and meaningful source of overstated value.
Bedroom / Bathroom Count
A converted room, finished basement, or removed bathroom may not match what's actually reflected in county records.
Basement
Finished vs. unfinished basement area is often misclassified, which can significantly affect a mass-appraisal value estimate.
Garage
An attached garage that was converted to living space (or vice versa) may not be updated in county records.
Site Characteristics
Topography, easements, flood-zone status, or unusable portions of the lot aren't always reflected accurately.
Improvements
Additions, renovations, or removed structures may be missing or outdated in the county's property file.
Property Type / Class
Occasionally a property is misclassified entirely (e.g., property type, use, or construction class), which skews the entire valuation model.
Why These Errors Matter for Valuation
Mass-appraisal models calculate value largely from the characteristics on file — square footage, room counts, condition class, and lot data. An inflated square-footage figure or an incorrectly classified basement doesn't just look wrong on paper; it directly and mechanically inflates the model's output, and by extension, your assessed value and tax bill.
How to Request a Correction
Pull Your County Property Record
Most Georgia counties post property record cards online through the Tax Assessor's website — review yours line by line.
Document the Discrepancy
Take photos, gather a survey or permit, or use measurements from a recent appraisal or inspection.
Contact the Board of Tax Assessors
Many corrections can be requested directly, separate from (or alongside) a formal appeal.
File a Formal Appeal If Needed
If the correction meaningfully affects your assessed value and isn't resolved informally, include it as part of your appeal evidence.
When an Appraisal Helps Even After a Correction
Correcting a data error addresses accuracy, but it doesn't always fully resolve a broader value dispute. An independent appraisal picks up where a records correction leaves off — analyzing your property's actual characteristics against genuinely comparable sales, so your final requested value reflects the complete market picture, not just a single corrected line item.