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HB78.html
03 LC 18 2039
House Bill 78 By: Representatives
Buck of the 112th and Royal of the 140th
A BILL TO BE
ENTITLED AN ACT
To amend Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated, relating to ad valorem taxation of property, so as to change
certain definitions regarding such taxation; to provide an effective date; to
repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to ad valorem taxation of property, is amended by striking
Code Section 48_5_2, relating to definitions regarding such taxation, and
inserting in its place a new Code Section 48_5_2 to read as
follows: "48_5_2. As
used in this chapter, the term: (1) 'Current use
value' of bona fide conservation use property means the amount a knowledgeable
buyer would pay for the property with the intention of continuing the property
in its existing use and in an arm´s length, bona fide sale and shall be
determined in accordance with the specifications and criteria provided for in
subsection (b) of Code Section 48_5_269. (2) 'Current
use value' of bona fide residential transitional property means the amount a
knowledgeable buyer would pay for the property with the intention of continuing
the property in its existing use and in an arm´s length, bona fide sale.
The tax assessor shall consider the following criteria, as applicable, in
determining the current use value of bona fide residential transitional
property: (A) The current use of such
property; (B) Annual productivity;
and (C) Sales data of comparable real property with
and for the same existing use. (3) 'Fair market value
of property' means the amount a knowledgeable buyer would pay for the property
and a willing seller would accept for the property at an arm´s length, bona
fide sale. With respect to the valuation of equipment, machinery, and fixtures
when no ready market exists for the sale of the equipment, machinery, and
fixtures, fair market value may be determined by resorting to any reasonable,
relevant, and useful information available including, but not limited to, the
original cost of the property, any depreciation or obsolescence, and any
increase in value by reason of inflation. Each tax assessor shall have access to
any public records of the taxpayer for the purpose of discovering such
information. (A) In determining the fair market value
of a going business where its continued operation is reasonably anticipated, the
tax assessor may value the equipment, machinery, and fixtures which are the
property of the business as a whole where appropriate to reflect the accurate
fair market value. (B) The tax assessor shall consider
the following criteria in determining the fair market value of real
property: (i) Existing zoning of
property; (ii) Existing use of property, including any
restrictions or limitations on the use of property resulting from state or
federal law or rules or regulations adopted pursuant to the authority of state
or federal law; (iii) Existing covenants or
restrictions in deed dedicating the property to a particular use;
and (iv) Any other factors deemed pertinent in
arriving at fair market value. (B.1) The tax assessor
shall not consider any income tax credits with respect to real property which
are claimed and granted pursuant to either Section 42 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, or Chapter 7 of this title in determining the fair
market value of real property. (C) Fair market value
of 'historic property' as such term is defined in subsection (a) of Code Section
48_5_7.2 means: (i) For the first eight years in which
the property is classified as 'rehabilitated historic property,' the value equal
to the greater of the acquisition cost of the property or the appraised fair
market value of the property as recorded in the county tax digest at the time
preliminary certification on such property was received by the county board of
tax assessors pursuant to subsection (c) of Code Section
48_5_7.2; (ii) For the ninth year in which the
property is classified as 'rehabilitated historic property,' the value of the
property as determined by division (i) of this subparagraph plus one_half of the
difference between such value and the current fair market value exclusive of the
provisions of this subparagraph; and (iii) For the
tenth and following years, the fair market value of such property as determined
by the provisions of this paragraph, excluding the provisions of this
subparagraph. (D) Fair market value of 'landmark
historic property' as such term is defined in subsection (a) of Code Section
48_5_7.3 means: (i) For the first eight years in which
the property is classified as 'landmark historic property,' the value equal to
the greater of the acquisition cost of the property or the appraised fair market
value of the property as recorded in the county tax digest at the time
certification on such property was received by the county board of tax assessors
pursuant to subsection (c) of Code Section
48_5_7.3; (ii) For the ninth year in which the
property is classified as 'landmark historic property,' the value of the
property as determined by division (i) of this subparagraph plus one_half of the
difference between such value and the current fair market value exclusive of the
provisions of this subparagraph; and (iii) For the
tenth and following years, the fair market value of such property as determined
by the provisions of this paragraph, excluding the provisions of this
subparagraph. (E) Timber shall be valued at its fair
market value at the time of its harvest or sale in the manner specified in Code
Section 48_5_7.5. (4) 'Foreign merchandise in transit'
means personal property of any description which has been or will be moved by
waterborne commerce through any port located in this state
and: (A) Which has entered the export stream, although
temporarily stored or warehoused in the county where the port of export is
located; or (B) Which was shipped from a point of
origin located outside the customs territory of the United States and on which
United States customs duties are paid at or through any customs district or port
located in this state, although stored or warehoused in the county where the
port of entry is located while in transit to a final
destination."
SECTION 2.
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the
Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval.
SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are
repealed.
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