Value Disputes
If you feel a mistake has been made in valuing your property,
contact our office.
Staff are available to answer questions.
You can also appeal to the King County Board
of Equalization/Appeals. To do this, you must file a completed petition
form within 60 days of the mail date on the front of the Value
Change Notice you receive or through July 1 of the year before the tax is due,
whichever is later. The Board of Equalization/appealss is independent of the
Department of Assessments. You must present proof that the Assessor has
erred in the appraisal. The information you present to the board should
include sales of comparable properties in your area. You should also submit
other pertinent information that demonstrates the difference between the Assessor's
value and the correct value.
If you do not agree with the county board's decision, you may appeal to the
State Board of Tax Appeals. You must
again present proof that the Assessor has erred in the appraisal.
Assistance may be obtained from the King County Property Tax Advisor. Information Needed to Appeal
To appeal a valuation to the King County Board of Equalization/appeals,
you must show the Assessor has erred in the appraisal. You must clearly show that
the assessed value does not reflect market value. The evidence should consist of sales of
comparable properties in your area or information on conditions not known to the Assessor.
You must supply adequate documentation to support your claim if your appeal is
based on conditions of which the appraisers were not aware -- for
example, the land will not percolate or is not suitable for building.
You also may request copies of comparable sales information used to value your property.
You do not have to be represented by an attorney to appeal your property assessment.
You may appeal the county board's decision to the Washington Board of Tax Appeals.
Like the county board, the state board considers only questions of value. Property owners
also can pursue litigation in court.
Questions about appeal procedures can be directed to the
King County Board of
Equalization/appeals or the
Department of
Assessments.
Updated: December 9, 2003
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