Alpharetta and Milton homeowners who think Fulton County overvalued their property have until Thursday, July 31 to file an appeal. The number on that assessment notice will determine how much they owe in school taxes once the Fulton County Board of Education locks in its millage rate by Tuesday, September 1.

The school district's 17.08-mill levy is the single largest slice of most local property tax bills. At that rate, every $10,000 in assessed value translates to $170.80 in school taxes alone. A successful appeal that lowers assessed value shrinks the bill; an unchanged assessment paired with any millage increase compounds it.

What changed on this year's notice

Fulton County mailed assessment notices on Monday, June 16. Milton homeowners will notice two differences from prior years, according to the Roundabout Milton newsletter: the notice no longer includes an estimated tax owed to each jurisdiction, and City of Milton homestead exemptions do not appear. County officials said the tax estimate was removed because millage rates aren't finalized when notices go out. The exemptions still apply — they just aren't reflected on the form.

In Georgia, assessed value equals 40% of the county's estimated fair market value. Multiply the assessed figure by 2.5 to see what the county thinks a home is worth.

How to appeal

Property owners can appeal online at fultonassessor.org/property-appeals/, by mail, or in person at 235 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 1200, Atlanta, GA 30303, or at satellite offices. Online filing is the county's preferred method. The assessor's office can be reached at 404-612-6440.

Owners may appeal when they believe the assessed value is too high, doesn't reflect the property's condition, or doesn't match recent comparable sales. Most homeowners request a hearing before the Board of Equalization, a panel of citizens where no lawyer is required.

If an appeal isn't resolved before tax bills go out in August, the owner must pay the temporary bill to avoid penalties. Once the appeal is settled, the bill is recalculated.

The school budget backdrop

The Board of Education adopted a $2.3 billion budget for 2026-27 after receiving an updated financial report at its June 11 work session. The district faces a $56.9 million deficit it plans to cover by drawing on reserves, which Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef estimates will still exceed $233 million by the end of fiscal year 2027.

Dereef said the district "successfully reduced an initial projected budget gap of approximately $95 million down to $57 million while maintaining core services" through its G.L.I.D.E. cost-saving initiative, which includes a district-wide furlough day saving about $4.5 million.

Adding pressure: two senior homestead exemptions approved by Fulton County voters in 2025 are projected to cut the school district's local revenues by approximately $50 million. Local revenue projections stand at $891 million for the coming fiscal year.

The board has held the 17.08-mill rate for two consecutive years. Two public hearings on the millage rate are required before a final vote, but specific dates have not been announced. The board was still awaiting the county tax digest as of late June.

What's next

The Board of Education must approve its final millage rate by Tuesday, September 1. Public hearing dates will be posted once the tax digest is issued. Homeowners who want to contest their assessed value should file by Thursday, July 31. Tax bills will follow in August.