How to Appeal Your Property Taxes in King County

Nobody likes surprises, especially when they involve your money. That’s why it can be difficult to stomach the notification card that can arrive in the mail around this time of year informing property owners of their 2023 tax obligations.

At least owners of residential, commercial and industrial property receive a heads-up of a few months! And they can always appeal the amount.

Property owners across the region should, by now, have received the tax notice to pay 50% of the levy by each due date – May 1 and Oct. 31 – or face a late fee. (Pierce County delivers notices as late as March 31.)



Residential property is assessed each year at its full market value, which is defined as the amount a buyer, willing but not obligated to buy, would pay to a seller willing but not obligated to sell. For residential parcels, fair market value is generally determined by analyzing recent sales of comparable properties in the same area. The state requires that county assessors inspect every property at least every six years to maintain accurate information about the parcel and structures.

Local governments are limited to a 1% annual increase in property tax revenue regardless of changes in property values – but there is a catch.

The amount of property tax you pay depends on the cost of state and local government, including the operating costs of schools, roads, parks, libraries, hospitals, city and county government, and your local taxing districts such as ports, fire districts, utility and sewer districts. A large part of each property tax dollar goes to pay off construction bonds for school buildings and other public projects.

The highest property value increase in King County this year occurred in Sammamish, where the median home value jumped 51%. However, laws limit the property tax increase in the city to a still-significant 24% in 2023. The lowest property tax increase for this year was in Tukwila with a 1.3% rise.

Voters in certain parts of the county approve a special levy, prompting sudden increases in property tax from one year to the next. The levy may have called for funding of a new school, firefighting equipment, tech infrastructure or sewer lines.

Property owners in two major cities of Snohomish County will see 30% rate hikes this year even while the county averaged a 5.5% overall increase. Mill Creek will use the additional funds to help expand its fire department and Everett will boost support of its schools. At the same time, the Marysville area has completed two school tax levies and owners will see a 25% decline in property taxes even while property values have risen 27% year-on-year.

Residential owners can file an appeal to the County Board of Equalization by July 1 or 60 days from the date of notification, whichever is later. Details about the appeal process can be found at the respective websites for King, Snohomish and Pierce counties.

King County property owners should first contact the Department of Assessments before filing an appeal. The department may be able to correct information, such as home details, and avoid the appeal process. (Owners can review their property parcel/account information online using eReal Property at Assessor-Online Services or with the Assessor’s staff.)

Appraisers and real estate professionals can assist owners in the appeal process. They are qualified to provide fair market value of the property by using recently sold properties of similar type in the immediate area. That information could be invaluable to owners seeking to determine whether the assessor is accurate with the property valuation.

Keep in mind the assessor produces a value based on the previous year’s sales and sets the figure for Jan. 1 of the next year. Homes sold at near-record highs early in 2022 before prices began falling year-on-year in the final quarter amid weaker demand and higher financing costs.

Owners need to compare like-for-like property sales when appealing the valuation. The appeal form looks like this:


While appraisers and real estate brokers may offer documented evidence of comparable home sales, a real estate attorney may be best suited to represent a property owner should the appeal require a formal hearing. Real estate brokers are not typically practicing attorneys.

If a mortgage company pays an owner’s property tax, the county’s payment information is forwarded to the company per their request. If the mortgage company does not pay the tax and property owners have not received a statement by March 1, a copy may be obtained by calling Treasury Operations for King County at 206-263-2890 or requesting the statement here.

It’s critical to be punctual with the tax payment. The county will apply a fine and failure to pay the tax could lead to having a lien placed against the home, meaning the issue must be resolved before successfully selling the property.

For more information about property taxes, visit the King, Snohomish and Pierce county websites for FAQs.