TAX NEWS - March 2009

Assessment Notice Process - State of Georgia tax

ASSESSMENT NOTICE PROCESS

As a Georgia taxpayer, you have certain rights. However, if you do not respond to an assessment notice by the specified deadline, you may lose those rights. Interest, penalty and/or applicable collection costs may be added to your liability. Additionally, your account may be placed with a private collection agency for further action.

The PROPOSED ASSESSMENT is the initial notification of the Department's intent to assess interest and/or penalty to a delinquent payment or return. Failure to pay or protest this notice within 30 days of issuance will result in the issuance of an OFFICIAL ASSESSMENT AND DEMAND FOR PAYMENT .

The OFFICIAL ASSESSMENT AND DEMAND FOR PAYMENT is notification that the Department has assessed interest and/or penalty to a delinquent payment or return. Failure to pay or protest this notice within 30 days will result in enforced collection and the imposition of a collection fee. 

The COLLECTION NOTICE notifies taxpayers that their account has been assigned to the Compliance Division . It informs the taxpayer that if payment or proof of payment is not received immediately, a collection fee will be imposed and a State Tax Execution ( FiFa ) will be recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court.

The FiFa NOTICE serves as notification that a State Tax Execution has been issued for the indicated tax period(s) and may be recorded at any time in the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court. Once recorded in court, a FiFa or lien could be reflected on your credit report and negatively impact your credit rating.

The BAD CHECK NOTICE notifies taxpayers that their check was returned unpaid by their financial institution. This notice includes applicable tax, interest, penalty, and bad check fee.

The OFFSET NOTICE is notification that a credit on a particular tax period was used to pay a balance due on a prior period. Credits can offset to pay tax, late charges, and/or other fees owed to this Department, as well as those owed to other agencies.