Richard Steele: “Title Tax Update”

Richard Steele, Tax Commissioner for Gwinnett County, spoke to fellow Rotarians at the noon November 11 meeting of the Rotary Club of Lawrenceville. He offered an update on the Title Ad Valorem Tax situation, as well as information about other taxes. As for the Title Tax revenue, he reported that the total revenue generated through October was $81,391,251.00. After the 57% portion to the State of Georgia is subtracted, the County has received $34,998,238. He projects that because of this change in the tax situation, probably the County will be $13 million to the good by the end of the year. He reminded the group of the February 28, 2014, deadline for vehicle owners to opt-in to the Title Tax of 6.5 percent. Moving on to Property Tax Returns, he said that property owners have between January 1 and April 1 to change reported values; businesses are required to file every year or face a late fee. Homestead Exemption applications have to be in by April 1, 2014, and Senior Exemptions are available. Assessment Notices giving the Board of Assessment’s valuation of property are mailed out in April; property owners have 45 days to appeal the valuation. The appeal can be filed online. He pointed out that much information is available on the website www.gwinnetttaxcommissioner.com.