Property Tax Appeals and Exemptions

property tax appeals and exemptions

This time of year usually brings a renewed interest in property taxes. We’ve written about the property tax annual cycle before.  Today we’re going to address the question of tax appeals and exemptions.

Is it possible to reduce what I pay for property taxes? 

Download

To download a printable version of this article, click here.

For many of us the answer is probably no.  There is an appeals process plus a number of programs where property owners may qualify for exemptions or deferrals.

Property Tax Appeals

Each county provides specific information on appealing your property tax valuation. This information will include instructions on how to appeal, when you may appeal, what evidence you will need to provide, tools for gathering information, and a description of the appeals process.

You may qualify

According to the King County Department of Assessments, there are more than 26,000 senior citizens and disabled persons that qualify for exemption yet they have not enrolled.

One of the more common reasons to appeal is a change in property value.  For this reason each county provides free databases (or online search tools) that you can use for locating sold properties that are comparable to yours. If you can find similar properties that sold for less than the assessed value of your home, it may be worth your time to appeal your valuation.

Comparable Sales – Comparable sales are properties of a similar lot size, quality, living area, age, and added details like view or waterfront. If you are planning on appealing your property tax valuation, you may be required to list comparable sales that support your request on your appeal petition.

Errors in your property description – From time to time the assessor may make errors in the description of a property. Any errors in how your property is described should be noted in your petition. You can also provide other documentation such as pictures, repair bids, or geology reports if there are structural or site problems that would reduce market value.

Property Search tools

It’s the law

State law requires the Assessor to value all taxable property at 100 percent of its true and fair market value in money, according to the highest and best use of the property.

King County Property Search
Pierce County Property Search
Snohomish County Property Search

Information on appeals
King County Property Tax Appeals
Pierce County Property Tax Appeals
Snohomish County Property Tax Appeals

Property Tax Exemption & Deferral Programs

Some taxpayers may qualify for tax exemptions or tax deferrals. Exemptions generally provide a reduction in the amount of taxes due, whereas deferrals provide temporary relief by applying the deferred taxes as a lien against the property.

Below are a few categories of exemptions & deferrals provided by the Washington State Department of Revenue. The county assessor administers these programs and is responsible for determining if applicants meet the qualifications. Questions about these programs should be directed to the county assessor’s office.

Deferrals
Property tax deferral program for senior citizens and disabled persons
Property tax deferral program for homeowners with limited income

Assistance in the form of a Grant
Property tax assistance program for widows or widowers of veterans

Exemptions
Property tax exemption for nonprofit organizations
Property tax exemption program for senior citizens and disabled persons

Finally, there is a large list of other possible deferrals & exemptions available through the county assessor that may be available for a qualifying property depending on it’s condition, historic significance, or how it is used.

Siri Property tax response

What would siri have to say about saving on property taxes?

Some examples are:

  • Homeowner Improvement
  • Flood and Storm Damaged Property
  • Current Use Open Space
  • Current Use Forest Land
  • Historic Property
  • Designated Forest Land
  • Character building benevolent, protective or rehabilitative social services
  • Veterans and relief organizations
  • Libraries
  • Orphanages
  • Day care centers
  • Nursing homes and hospitals
  • Schools and colleges
  • Art, scientific and historical collections
  • Fire companies
  • Humane societies
  • Musical and artistic associations
  • Public assembly halls
  • Certain public authorities
  • Sheltered workshops for the disabled

As a reference, here are some resources for King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.

King County

Address Department of AssessmentsProperty Tax Advisor Office516 3rd Ave, Room 1236Seattle, WA 98104Toll Free: 1-800-325-6165 ext. 5-6330TTY: 206-205-6338

Fax: 206-296-0948

taxadvisor@kingcounty.gov

Exemption Questions (206) 205-6330
Website Appeals
Comparable Sales Comparable Sales

Pierce County

Address Assessor-TreasurerAnnex (Public Services Building)2401 South 35th Street Room 142Tacoma, WA 98409(253) 798-6111pcatr@co.pierce.wa.us
Exemption Questions (253) 798-6111
Website Appeals
Comparable Sales Comparable Sales

Snohomish County

Address Assessor’s OfficeFirst Floor, Administration Building East3000 Rockefeller Ave, M/S 510Everett, WA 98201425-388-3615contact.assessor@co.snohomish.wa.us
Exemption Questions (425) 388-3540
Website Appeals
Comparable Sales Comparable Sales

6 Tips for Reading Plat Maps

how to read a plat map

Each day, most real estate professionals access ‘Plat Maps.’ The need for these maps varies for each property, and each circumstance.  In Ticor’s effort to make things easy for clients, we thought you could use some ‘Pointers’ about working with Plat Maps!

6 Tips for Reading Plat Maps:

1.  Access –  Access is simply how someone can physically reach the property.  We have a sample for you here, where you can see that ‘Access’ is shown on map, by

A. city or county road,
B. private driveway (flagpole lot),
C. shared driveway with common ownership,
D. shared driveway with easement, and
E. private road.

Click the map to view an explanation of types of access

2. Views – Ticor usually provides a ‘Close –up’ view of the lot, along with a larger view.  Viewing the larger view will help you identify important points, such as where your lot is located, in relation to a major thoroughfare, or greenbelt.

3.  Dimensions – These are usually given for the lot as shown, but there can be variances.  But, what if no Dimensions are showing?

Places to check further for ‘Dimensions,’ are always available thru Ticor Property Info.  For example, Ticor Property Info Specialists can give you a copy of the ‘Face of the Plat’ if available; or can provide approximate dimensions with a map measuring tool.

4.   Unplatted, or Platted Property – Platted Property is created by the developer recording a plat. Unplatted parcels are not  in a recorded subdivision. Platted  land often has “lot and block” legal descriptions, and unplatted usually has “metes and bounds” legals. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule! For platted parcels, we can look at the face of the plat for a wealth of information about the lot and its surroundings. We’ll address this in depth soon, here at TicorBlog.com.

5.  Location of Lot – As it relates to a block, always useful to know. We’ll address this more in a future article.  In the meantime, it is always wise to check where your subject property ‘sits’ on a block, based on what you’ve seen, vs. what is showing on your Plat Map. Are these different? If so, it’s time to ask for some help from Ticor!  You can also compare the lot size to the acreage or lot square feet given on the property profile.

6. Troubleshooting Plat Maps – Don’t assume boundary lines, based on what is showing on a Plat Map. While Plat Maps can give a good idea as do the location of these lines, the only definitive way to know exact boundary lines is thru a survey.

One last note:  Remember, King County’s Plat Maps display information a bit differently than Snohomish or Pierce County.

Our Property Information Specialists are at your service!

Ticor Email for Property Info:   cs.wa@ticortitle.com

Ticor Seattle / Renton:
Ticor Bellevue:
Ticor Puyallup / Pierce County:
Ticor International:
206-720-6969 / 425-255-6969
425-467-0377
253-383-0055
425-204-5113
Note: Some charges may apply, in accordance with Washington State Insurance Commissioner Guidelines, but profile, map and deed are always free

Do you have questions, comments, or tips that you would like to share regarding plat maps? Please share your thoughts, questions, or comments below!