Tax Commissioner - FAQs
- Q: If I didn’t receive a tax bill, do I have to pay the taxes?
- Q: Do you accept partial payments?
- Q: Who do I talk to about appraised value?
- Q: Who sets the tax rate?
- Q: Why do I have to pay penalty and interest if I didn’t receive a tax statement?
- Q: When do taxes become delinquent?
- Q: How many years of delinquent taxes do you have to have before a levy can be filed?
- Q: Can you get a deed to property if you pay the taxes?
- Q: Do I have to pay delinquent taxes if I didn’t own the property in the years that are delinquent?
- BACK TO TAX COMMISSSIONER
Q: If I didn’t receive a tax bill, do I have to pay the taxes?
A: Yes, all taxpayers are required to pay taxes on or before the due date. It is the
responsibility of the taxpayer to assure that a current and correct mailing
address is given to the Tax Assessor’s office and the Tax Commissioner’s office.
If you do not receive a tax bill, contact the Tax Commissioner’s office
immediately. Phone 706-865-2225.
Q: Do you accept partial payments?
A: Yes, partial payments are accepted.
Q: Who do I talk to about appraised value?
A: The County Board of Tax Assessors places value on all property.
Suite E.
Cleveland, GA 30528
Their phone number is: (706) 865-5328.
Q: Who sets the tax rate?
A: The state portion of the taxes is set by statute and does not change from
year to year. The county governing authority sets the county portion of the
taxes, and the school board is responsible for the school portion. Both county
and school taxes may vary from year to year as new rates are set.
Q: Why do I have to pay penalty and interest if I didn’t receive a tax statement?
A: Georgia law requires the Tax Commissioner to collect interest and penalty on all
taxes not paid by the due date.
Q: When do taxes become delinquent?
A: The normal due date is October 20th - December 20th. Therefore, the delinquent
date would be December 21st. However, sometimes the bills are delayed in going
out. The delinquent date would be the day after the due date stated on your
bill.
Q: How many years of delinquent taxes do you have to have before a levy can be filed?
A: A levy can be filed at any time after the due date upon proper notice to the
taxpayer of such levy. (Failure to accept or receive said notice does not alter
the levy proceedings in any way.)
Q: Can you get a deed to property if you pay the taxes?
A: Paying taxes on property does not constitute ownership in any manner.
Georgia law allows taxes to be paid by persons other than the owner(s).
Q: Do I have to pay delinquent taxes if I didn’t own the property in the years that are delinquent?
A: Yes, the taxes follow the property and the property owner must satisfy the tax
liability, whether the taxes were incurred prior to current ownership. Never
purchase property before having a title opinion from a reputable source.