Did We Just Piss off King County?

Question

Does anyone have experience with the state board of tax appeals? We disputed our property taxes and got the property value lowered by $1M by the county board of equalization. But King county appealed and took us to the state board. It's definitely intimidated to see a document that starts with "KING COUNTY ASSESSOR v. [Our names]". Is this something we can do ourselves? Or do we need an attorney?

Fay Chen · Answer

Thank you! It makes me feel better to know that it's probably their SOP. Nobody from the county showed up for the county hearing. So I'm caught off guard that it got escalated. I wonder if I should try to reach out and settle it with them or fight like I did in the dispute, or hire a professional.

Henry T. · Answer

On average my PT statements are up around 12 percent this year.  Just did rent increases at year end, so here comes some more.

You can do it yourself, better you know what you're doing and be prepared with good comps.  You don't even have to be there. There are people out there you can hire just for this, they'll fight your taxes on your behalf and are often successful.

Some people have success appealing every year, forever. This strategy can be effective at keeping the assessor on their toes.  I'm probably not telling you anything you don't already know. Taxes suck and dealing with the assessor is slow and frustrating.  I've appealed and lost. I've also appealed and won only to be even higher the following year.  If I had the time I would appeal every year, forever. You have the right.

Henry T. · Answer

Yeah I'm in Worsington :)  I'd imagine it's hard to get property taxes reduced anywhere. No County is happy to give up their free money.  I especially love it when the county sends out your property tax increase AFTER it's too late to appeal it.    I haven't done an appeal for at least 5 years. It's a lot of work and a pain, but you can do it(yourself even), and you can have success. Worth it? debatable. But I do advocate being a thorn in the government side.

Bill B. · Answer

King county’s average property tax rate is 0.82%. So if you dropped the value $1M (Bad job by someone or property values are cratering?) you save $8,200/yr.

King county’s annual budget is over $20,000,0000,000

I doubt they even noticed. It’s hardly worth their time. You certainly didn’t piss anyone off. it’s not their money and they have a downtown core properties dropping $10’s of millions in value. They probably just have a standard appeal every loss procedure. They’re paying the employees either way and they aren’t showing up for just one case anyway.

Ken M. · Answer

Well, the County has unlimited funds to fight.

Do you know the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure? King Co uses that with a few added rules. Just follow good legal practices or hire an attorney.

Brandon Vukelich · Answer

So sorry to hear this @Fay Chen. I wish I could offer any guidance but others have commented just the same. King Co sucks. I moved to Kitsap in 2024, so far it has been a great decision, both mentally and financially. My car tabs went from $470 to $87 (as one example), lower prop and sales tax, auto insurance lower (due to less crime, etc)...none of which were the reasons we moved but were nice benefits. Good luck with your fight! I'd love to see you post a victory message here for us.

Bill B. · Answer

Interesting Fay. Maybe they’re challenging to because they “forgot” to show up and think that’s the on,y reason. In Vegas you’re only debating the county assessor so I haven’t dealt with your exact situation. One where they could no-show.

Fay Chen · Answer

Thank you! May I ask if you are in Washington? I heard a lot of ppl say it's hard to get property value reduced in Washington. I don't know if that's true.

Fay Chen · Answer

We don't know anything related to legal procedures. I just followed the procedures on the county assessor's website for the dispute and next thing we know, we are here. Thank you for the advice. This sounds a little me serious than what we can handle ourselves.

Did We Just Piss off King County?

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