Washington state has no income tax — but it makes up for it with property taxes that rank among the highest in the West. King County (Seattle), Snohomish, and Pierce County homeowners have seen dramatic value increases in recent years, creating widespread overassessment. Here’s how to appeal.
How Washington Property Taxes Work
Each county in Washington has an Assessor who values all real property annually at 100% of its true and fair market value as of January 1. Your tax bill is based on that assessed value multiplied by the combined levy rate for your jurisdiction — which includes state, county, city, school, fire district, and other levies stacked on top of each other.
Washington also has a Senior Citizen/Disabled Person Property Tax Exemption and Deferral program — if you or your spouse are 61+ or disabled, you may qualify to have your taxes reduced or deferred regardless of income in some counties.
The Deadline: July 1
Washington’s appeal deadline is July 1 of the assessment year — or 60 days after assessment notices are mailed, whichever is later. Assessment notices typically arrive in spring. Set a June reminder every year to review your notice.
Step-by-Step: The Washington Appeal Process
Step 1: Review Your Assessment Notice
Your notice shows your assessed value as of January 1. Compare it to what similar homes in your neighborhood sold for in the prior year. In King County, you can search sales data at King County Assessor’s eReal Property.
Step 2: File an Appeal with Your County Board of Equalization (BOE)
Each county has a Board of Equalization that hears assessment appeals. File your appeal petition with the county BOE before July 1. Most counties have online filing. Include your estimated market value and the reason you believe your assessment is incorrect.
Step 3: The Informal Meeting (Optional)
Many counties offer an informal review with the county assessor’s office before your formal BOE hearing. This is worth pursuing — bring 3–5 comparable sales and a clear argument. Many appeals settle here without needing a formal hearing.
Step 4: The BOE Hearing
At your BOE hearing, you’ll present your evidence and the county assessor presents their case. BOE members (appointed citizens) issue a written decision. The process is relatively informal — you don’t need an attorney, though professional appraisers can strengthen complex cases.
Step 5: Washington Board of Tax Appeals
If dissatisfied with the BOE’s decision, you can appeal to the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals (BTA) within 30 days. BTA appeals are more formal and often benefit from professional representation for high-value properties.
Key Washington County Assessors
- King County (Seattle): kingcounty.gov/en/dept/assessor — highest volume of appeals in the state
- Pierce County (Tacoma): piercecountywa.gov/assessor
- Snohomish County (Everett): snohomishcountywa.gov/292/Assessor
- Spokane County: spokanecounty.org/1029/Assessor
- Clark County (Vancouver): clark.wa.gov/assessor
More State Guides
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