Towns County Property Appraiser Secure Data safeguards your sensitive details during every interaction with local government systems. Residents frequently worry about how the Towns County property appraiser privacy policy handles their residential details and mapping information. We implement property data privacy Towns County standards to keep your identity safe from bad actors. This Towns County appraisal office privacy notice outlines exactly how we manage your files during assessments. We prioritize Towns County property records confidentiality to prevent unauthorized access to home ownership details within our systems. Our team follows privacy practices Towns County assessor protocols every single day to maintain high standards. By using Towns County real estate data protection steps, we safeguard your financial interests and physical address details. Following a Towns County personal information policy helps us maintain trust with every homeowner who uses our online portals. These data privacy protocols Towns County property office workers follow so your property information privacy Towns County remains intact during every search. We apply Towns County property appraisal confidentiality rules for every single file we manage. Your safety is our main priority when managing public property records.
Towns County Property Appraiser Secure Data maintains transparency for residents concerned about Towns County property tax data privacy. Our staff keeps a strict Towns County assessor office data protection plan to keep your records secure. This privacy statement Towns County property appraiser explains our commitment to keeping your data hidden from prying eyes. We follow the Towns County public records privacy policy to balance accessibility with your safety needs. Real estate records confidentiality Towns County remains a top focus for our administration. Our Towns County property database privacy practices prevent the leakage of sensitive owner details to third parties. When residents use Towns County appraisal services privacy Towns County protections are always active. We strictly govern GIS & parcel data privacy to shield your location details. This data handling policy Towns County property office uses limits who can see your internal tax documents. Maintaining Towns County property tax information privacy builds a stronger community where owners feel safe sharing necessary data. You deserve to know exactly how we store and protect your residential property history every single day without fail.
Information We Collect
The Towns County appraisal office collects various data points to set fair property values. Our team gathers facts about land, buildings, and ownership. This happens to make sure everyone pays their fair share of taxes. Some data comes directly from you. Other data comes from public deeds or site visits. We track building size, age, and features. We look at sales prices of homes in your neighborhood. This helps the office stay accurate. We follow Georgia state law when collecting this data. Every piece of data has a specific purpose. We never collect data we do not need for tax work.
Data You Provide Voluntarily
You give us data when you apply for homestead exemptions. You give us data when you file a tax appeal. This data stays in our secure database. We ask for your name, phone number, and mailing address. We might ask for your email address to send you updates. If you apply for a specialized exemption, you might share age or disability details. We keep these details safe. Our staff uses this data to contact you about your property. We use it to mail your annual assessment notice. Giving us accurate data helps us serve you better. It makes sure your tax bill goes to the right place.
Automatically Collected Information
Our website uses tools to see how people use our pages. We see what time you visit. We see which property maps you look at. We see what kind of computer or phone you use. This happens through cookies and server logs. We do not use this to identify you personally. We use it to make the website work better. It helps us see which pages are popular. If a page is slow, we fix it. This data helps us stop hackers from attacking our systems. It keeps the public search portal running fast for everyone. We monitor traffic patterns to prevent data scraping. This protects the collective data of all Towns County residents.
The table below shows the common data types we collect:
| Data Category | Specific Examples | Source of Data |
|---|---|---|
| Owner Identity | Name, Mailing Address, Phone | Deeds, Applications |
| Property Physical Data | Square Feet, Bedrooms, Year Built | Site Visits, Permits |
| Financial Data | Sale Price, Sale Date, Loan Details | Transfer Tax Forms |
| Geographic Data | Parcel ID, Map Coordinates, Zoning | GIS Mapping Tools |
How We Use Your Information
We use your data to run the county tax system. The main goal is to find the market value of every property. We use the data to create the annual tax digest. This digest goes to the Georgia Department of Revenue. We use your data to process exemptions. These exemptions lower your tax bill if you qualify. Our office uses your data to answer your questions. If you call us, we look at your file to help you. We use data to defend our values during appeals. This ensures the tax system remains fair for everyone in Towns County.
For Service Improvements
We look at data to improve our public search tools. If many people search for map layers, we make them easier to find. We update our GIS portal based on how people use it. We use data to train our staff. This helps them provide better service at the counter. We use feedback from residents to change our forms. We want our forms to be simple and easy to fill out. Using data this way saves time for taxpayers. It makes the appraisal process more open. We aim for a high level of accuracy in everything we do.
Communication & Notifications
Our office must send you legal notices. We use your mailing address for assessment notices. We use it for letters about site visits. If you sign up for email, we send digital notices. This keeps you informed about deadlines. We notify you if there is a change in your property value. We notify you about upcoming public hearings. Keeping your contact data current is very helpful. It prevents you from missing important tax dates. We only send mail related to your property and taxes. We do not send marketing mail or junk mail.
Legal and Compliance Purposes
Georgia law requires us to share certain data. The Georgia Open Records Act says most property data is public. We share the tax digest with the Tax Commissioner. This allows them to mail the tax bills. We share data with the Board of Equalization for appeals. We follow state rules for record keeping. We keep records for as long as the state says we must. If a court orders us to share data, we follow the law. We work with law enforcement if they have a legal warrant. We always check the law before sharing any private details.
| Use Case | Why We Use It | Who Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Valuation | Calculate fair taxes | All Taxpayers |
| Notices | Send legal documents | Property Owners |
| Exemptions | Apply tax savings | Eligible Residents |
| GIS Updates | Maintain digital maps | Public/Surveyors |
Data Protection and Security Measures
We take property data privacy Towns County very seriously. Our office uses modern technology to stop data breaches. We have firewalls to block bad traffic. We use software that looks for viruses and malware. Our servers are in secure rooms. Only people with special keys can get in. We update our software every month to fix security holes. We back up our data every day. This means your records will not be lost if a computer breaks. We work with the county IT team to stay safe. Keeping your data secure is a top priority for the Board of Assessors.
Encryption and Secure Access
When you use our website, we use encryption. This is called SSL or HTTPS. It scrambles the data as it travels over the internet. This stops people from stealing your data while you type it. Our internal database uses encryption too. Even if someone stole a hard drive, they could not read the data. We use strong passwords for all staff accounts. We use multi-factor authentication for sensitive systems. This adds an extra layer of safety. It makes it very hard for hackers to get into our tax records. We test these systems often to make sure they work.
Internal Access Restrictions
Not every worker can see every piece of data. We use role-based access. A clerk might only see mailing addresses. An appraiser sees building details and sales. Only supervisors see sensitive exemption files. We track who looks at what data. This creates an audit trail. If data is changed, we know who changed it and when. This prevents people from messing with tax records. Our staff gets training on privacy practices Towns County assessor rules. They know they must keep your data private. Sharing data without a reason can lead to firing.
Additional Security Practices
We shred all paper documents that contain private data. We do not throw them in the trash. We use locked bins for paper waiting to be shredded. We check our vendors to make sure they are safe. If we use a company for our website, they must prove they have good security. We have a plan for what to do if there is a data breach. We will tell you if your data is ever at risk. We follow all Georgia state security laws. Our office stays alert for new threats in the cyber world. We want you to feel safe when interacting with us.
Opt-Out Preferences
You have choices about some of your data. Most property data in Georgia is public by law. This includes your name, address, and what you paid for your house. You cannot opt out of having your property value listed. This is how the county keeps taxes fair. However, some people have special safety needs. Georgia law allows certain people to hide their home address on public websites. This usually applies to law enforcement and judges. If you fall into this group, you can ask for a redaction. We will then hide your name or address from the online search portal.
How to Limit the Use of Your Data
To limit your data, you must submit a written request. For law enforcement redaction, you need a form from our office. You must provide proof of your job or status. Once approved, we remove your details from the public GIS website. Your data stays in our internal system for tax billing. It just does not show up when neighbors search for it. You can also choose not to give us your email address. We will use paper mail instead. You can choose not to use the online portal and visit us in person. We respect your choices within the limits of state law.
Sharing & Third-Party Services
We share data with other government groups. We share data with the Towns County Tax Commissioner. They use it to collect the money. We share data with the City of Hiawassee and Young Harris. This helps them with their own city taxes and zoning. We share data with the Georgia Department of Audits. They check our work to make sure it is fair. We do not sell your data to private companies. We do not give your data to telemarketers. We only share what is needed for official government business. This keeps the county running smoothly.
When and Why We Share Information
We share data during the tax appeal process. If you go to the Board of Equalization, they see your file. If you go to Superior Court, your records become part of the court case. We share data with FEMA after a natural disaster. This helps residents get help for property damage. We share data with school boards. They need to know how much tax money they will get for students. Every time we share data, it is for a legal reason. We keep a list of where data goes. This keeps our office accountable to the public.
Third-Party Tools and Services
We use a company called Schneider Geospatial for our GIS maps. They host the qPublic website. They have their own security rules to protect the data we send them. We use cloud storage for backups. These cloud companies have very high security levels. They use data centers with guards and cameras. We also use software for mass appraisal (CAMA). This software helps us calculate thousands of values at once. We make sure these companies follow our privacy rules. They are not allowed to use your data for their own profit. They only provide the tools we need to do our jobs.
Your Rights & Data Control Options
You have the right to see your property record. You can see how we calculated your value. You can see the square footage and room counts we have on file. If the data is wrong, you have the right to ask for a fix. You can look at these records for free in our office. You can also find most of them on our website. You have the right to a fair assessment. This is protected by the Georgia Constitution. If you think we are wrong, you can file an appeal during the 45-day window. We want our data to be as accurate as possible.
Requesting Data Access or Deletion
You can ask for a copy of your property record card. We can print it for you or email it. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, you can ask for other records too. There might be a small fee for copies. We cannot delete property records because they are legal tax documents. We must keep them for historical and tax reasons. Even if you sell the house, the old records stay in the archive. This helps people see the history of a property. If you find a mistake in your name or address, tell us. We will update it quickly to ensure accuracy.
Updating Your Personal Information
If you move, you must tell us your new mailing address. If you do not, you might not get your tax bill. This leads to late fees and interest. You can update your address by mail or in person. We need a signature to change a mailing address. This prevents people from changing your mail to their house. If your name changes due to marriage or divorce, bring us the deed. We update our records based on what the Clerk of Superior Court records. We want to make sure the right person gets the tax notice every year. Keeping your data fresh helps avoid legal problems later.
| Action | Method | Required Document |
|---|---|---|
| Address Change | In-person or Mail | Signed Request Form |
| Name Change | Clerk of Court First | Recorded Deed |
| Record Correction | Call or Visit | Photos or Blueprints |
| Redaction Request | Form in Office | Job Verification |
Changes to This Privacy Policy
Laws change and technology changes. This means our privacy rules might change too. The Board of Assessors reviews these rules every few years. If the state of Georgia passes a new law, we update our policy. We want to make sure we always follow the highest standards. Any changes we make will focus on keeping your data safer. We will never make changes that lower your privacy without a legal reason. We stay committed to transparency. You can always check our website for the most recent version of this notice. We value your trust and work hard to keep it.
Notification of Updates
If we make a big change, we will post a notice on our website. We might put a note on your annual assessment notice. We talk about policy changes in our public board meetings. You are welcome to attend these meetings. They happen every month at the courthouse. We listen to public comments about data privacy. If many people have a concern, we look for a way to fix it. We want you to know how we handle your data. Staying informed helps you stay in control of your details. We keep older versions of our policies in our files.
Date of Last Revision
This policy was last updated on May 15, 2026. We check it every spring before we send out tax notices. This ensures the rules are ready for the new tax year. If you have questions about the date or the changes, please ask us. We keep a record of what changed and why. This helps us explain the rules to the Board of Commissioners and the public. We aim to stay current with all Georgia Department of Revenue guidelines. Our office works for you, the citizens of Towns County.
Contact Us for Privacy Concerns
If you have questions about property data privacy Towns County, talk to us. We are here to help you. If you think someone saw your data who should not have, tell us. We will investigate the problem. We take every complaint seriously. You can call our office during business hours. You can also send us a letter or an email. Most problems can be fixed with a simple talk. We want to make sure our office is a place of trust. Your privacy is important to the success of our county.
How to Reach the Towns County Property Appraiser’s Office
The Towns County Property Appraiser office is in Hiawassee. We are in the courthouse annex building. Our staff is friendly and ready to answer your tax questions. You do not need an appointment to visit us. However, calling ahead can save you time. We can tell you what documents to bring. This makes your visit fast and productive. We also have a lot of data on our website for you to use at home. Please use the contact details below to get in touch with our team.
Office Location:
Towns County Tax Assessor
48 River Street, Suite B
Hiawassee, GA 30546
Phone Number:
(706) 896-3984
Fax Number:
(706) 896-5972
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on State Holidays
Official Website:
townscountyga.org/tax-assessor.html
Email for Inquiries:
tcga@townscountyga.com
Chief Appraiser:
Jennifer Goss