DeKalb County Property Tax Appeal: How to Do It Yourself
If your DeKalb County assessment notice shows a value that looks too high, you can appeal it — free, on your own, without hiring anyone or paying a cut of your savings. The DeKalb County Board of Assessors sets your property's assessed value; the Board of Equalization/BOE hears appeals and makes the final call. This guide covers exactly how.
The Appeal Deadline — Confirm It Before Anything Else
Georgia law gives you 45 days from the date printed on your assessment notice to file an appeal — there is no extension or grace period. The clock starts on the notice date, not the date you received it, so act as soon as your notice arrives. Confirm the exact deadline on your notice and at the DeKalb County Board of Assessors' official website, as deadlines are year-specific and can shift.
Grounds for Appeal: What You Can Actually Argue
Georgia recognizes three grounds for a property tax appeal, and you can raise more than one on the same filing. See also how grounds work in a Gwinnett County property tax appeal.
- Value: the assessed value exceeds what your property would realistically sell for today. Support this with recent comparable sales of similar nearby homes that closed below your assessed value. The same ground applies in a Gwinnett County property tax appeal.
- Uniformity: your property is assessed at a higher ratio to market value than comparable properties in DeKalb County. If similar neighboring homes are assessed lower relative to actual value, that disparity supports a reduction. This ground is also available in a Gwinnett County property tax appeal.
- Taxability: the property or a portion of it should not be subject to taxation — relevant for certain exemptions or mixed-use situations. For how taxability applies in neighboring counties, see Gwinnett County property tax appeal.
Most DeKalb homeowners file on value and uniformity simultaneously. The same two-ground approach is used in neighboring Gwinnett County property tax appeals and Fulton County property tax appeals, though each county's filing steps and deadlines differ.
How to File Your Appeal in DeKalb County
DeKalb County accepts appeals by mail and in person at the Board of Assessors office. When you file, you must state which grounds you are using and provide your opinion of the correct value — you cannot simply say the value is too high without naming a number. Keep a copy of everything you submit, and get confirmation that your appeal was received.
After you file, the Board of Assessors may offer an adjusted value before scheduling a BOE hearing — many appeals resolve at this informal stage. If the Board does not change its value or you reject the adjustment, your case moves to the Board of Equalization, an independent panel that decides. Confirm current forms and procedures at the DeKalb County Board of Assessors' official website. A similar process applies in a Gwinnett County property tax appeal.
Should You Hire a Protest Company?
Appeal firms typically charge a percentage of first-year tax savings if they win. For a standard DeKalb home with clear comps, the DIY path usually produces the same outcome at no cost. A firm may be worth considering when comps are hard to find or the property is complex — ask about the fee structure and what happens if the appeal fails before signing.