Washington Property Taxes 101

Property taxes in Washington are calculated by multiplying the county tax rate by the property’s assessed value. If you believe your property is inaccurately assessed and your taxes are too high as a result, you can appeal the assessment with your local county.

However, it is important to be aware that property owners in Washington state face some unique challenges when appealing their property taxes. Unlike states like Texas, where the burden of proof is on the state to defend their appraised value, Washington puts the burden of proof on the property owner to support any claim of an inaccurate assessment.

Furthermore, appealing your property taxes in Washington in rare cases can actually lead to the county increasing your property’s assessed value, thus increasing your taxes. Therefore, it can be especially helpful to engage with a property tax consultant who can help you evaluate the strength of your case and potential risk of assessment increases before deciding to pursue an appeal with the county. When opting to pursue an appeal it is vital that you have clear and convincing evidence to support a claim of reduced value. Appealing without strong evidence puts you at higher risk of having your appeal denied or not receiving a reduction on your property taxes. Working with experienced property tax experts can help you evaluate whether your specific circumstances are likely to lead to a reduction, as well as build the strongest case possible that can reduce your property’s assessed value.