Comments on: How to Appeal Your King County Property Tax Valuation

By: LWHarrison

LWHarrison — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:17:29 +0000

I have posted a web site at http://www.hitax.info concerned with perceived excessive assessments in Fort Ann may apply to other districts. The sites main objective is to demonstrate differences between 2008 – 2009 data.
The charts list plot sizes both for length times width and in acres. Not all data is provided for both years for plot sizes. My goal is to have the information distributed to a large population so that others may compile detailed comparative data. Hopefully my data will be found to be constant with larger samples. In replies please use the subject line – hitax assessment -. I also do not link my email to avoid mail harvesters.
Find your assessment value per foot by length times width and by acre. First look at the dollar figure of your assessment, then see which dimension is applied for calculation of your plot.There may be up to four values for the years 2008 and 2009. This is the result of values being “floated” to obtain equality of the measurements.

To determine assessment amount per Sq. Ft. divide the quoted assessment by the total square feet by the assessment amount.

Example: $106,144 / 15,000 Sq.Ft. = $7.076 Per Sq. Ft. Then from the chart below:

Add $5.00 and $2.00 as . 87,120 + 217,800 = $ 304,920 is the total assessment per acre.

To find the number of square feet per acre multiply the posted value by 43560. Less than 1 will yield less Sq.Ft.,over 1 more than 43560.

Assessment = $ Sq. Ft. Assessment Value = acre

$ 1.00 $ 43,560
2.00 87,120
3.00 130,680
4.00 174,240
5.00 217,800
10.00 435,600
15.00 653,400
20.00 871,200
Thanks. Roy

By: Raining Sunshine

Raining Sunshine — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:44:10 +0000

One thing to look into carefully (when you are appealing) is what homes did the tax assessor’s office use as comps for your home. THe list of comps used by the assessor’s office should be something you get when you appeal. Reviewing that list of home can prove very valuable. Also driving by the homes will give you more feedback if you think this home should even have been used as a comp. I found that several of the homes used were not even close to be comparable. Comparing factors like square footage and the obvious differences is a start and then a drive by the home will let you know if the neighborhood and the home are anywhere comparable to your property and home. The assessor does send pictures but in black and white and with one view it just doesn’t give a very good representation of the house itself. Keep in mind that the assessor’s office doesn’t view these homes they are just using a database and pictures don’t always tell it all.

By: Kim

Kim — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:35:10 +0000

My property taxes went up 65% this year. When I bought my house in 2004 they were $1,100/yr. In 2007 they went up to $2,400/yr. This year they are $3,850/yr. Is there a cap on how much they can raise your taxes every year? This is outragous, my house is only 580 square feet!
A couple years ago they made it illegal to add to the template of my home, so no adding onto the home. (that should DECREASE the value of it right)? Now it’s declared in a flood zone so insurance in way more expensive too! HELP!

By: Jerome

Jerome — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:41:09 +0000

Did my B of E presentation yesterday so here are some facts to focus on. 1) do not assume that the person hearing your appeal, no matter the number they have already heard, “knows” what is, and is not, germaim to valuation. Example, the Board may think that the Appraiser’s “List of Sales” is the guideline. Look at what Scott Noble, Assessor, tells the citizens of KC: “The valuations have been based on three years of sales to mitigate speculation and provide the taxpayer with reasonable assessed values.” Blatently false, they pick three sales to validate your assessment. 2) The Assessor makes these false statements in his newsletter as well: “The new assessments, in general, remain below market value as of January 1, 2008.” Also, this from the Assessors eSales Search System: “…the assessors office does not have access to title records and other documents.” Blatantly false, Records Office records title records, and within two weeks the Assessors can access those records on their shared computer system. 3)Lastly, remember that the RE bubble burst about thirty [30] months ago, and the Assessors Office wants you to believe that your home has appreciated. Homes today are now at a late 2003 price level [see Case-Shiller National Price Index Study]
Good luck, thanks for stopping by for a view.

By: Raining sunshine

Raining sunshine — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:12:23 +0000

Quick questions. On the comps that I got back from the Assessor’s search, the included a variety of properties that are zoned RA5 but the lot size ranges from 58,000 to 33,000. That doesn’t make sense to me since it would be zoned at 5 acre parcels but the lot size would be quite a bit smaller in square footage. Any idea on how that happens?

And, what (sales difference) might it make to have a private well source versus being able to access the water district. And, what difference does a public access versus a private access make in sales value?

By: Jacalyn Holsted

Jacalyn Holsted — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:25:51 +0000

I just got the information from the King County Tax Advisor’s office this weekend. I requested the information in the beginning of August and have made numerous follow-up phone calls to the agency to get my request fulfilled. When I called the last time–it sounded like they lost my request or information. Anyway, the letter that I got with the packet is dated September 22 and the envelope is postmarked October 23. My advice don’t wait to get the information but keep calling to follow-up on it otherwise it might just get lost among many other requests.

Jacalyn

By: Katrina Munsell

Katrina Munsell — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 01:21:54 +0000

Next year (2009), 2008 market sales will be considered, but not for this year–they will be excluded by the Tax Assessor’s office.

By: Maria Little

Maria Little — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:17:22 +0000

A little frustrated with this information. perhaps I missed something. The Assessor’s Office is forbidden by state law to include 2008 market sales, but we are not! My appeal will include 2008 sales.

By: Katrina Munsell

Katrina Munsell — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:37:31 +0000

So sorry to hear that you’re still caught in the process–I can only imagine the volume of appeals they got this year! Research aside, have you tried calling the number and asking about potential hearing dates?

Nonetheless, you should still work on putting together your support and submitting it. Between Redfin sales data and the e-sales system that King County has, you likely have all the info you would need.

I also heard there is a local consultant who I believe used to work for the the King County Tax Assessor’s office. I’ve no personal experience with him, nor do I know what his charges are, but here’s his website:

http://www.harleyhoppe.com/

I know of at least one win that’s come back already, where King County stipulated to the appellant’s value, no hearing required.

Good luck!

By: Jacalyn

Jacalyn — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:19:41 +0000

I initially contacted the Property Tax Advisor’s office in early August and it is now the end of September and still I have no comps. I have been calling the office every 2 weeks and getting lots of excuses. I have heard it all–my contact is working weekends and nights, she worked over Labor Day, has letters to write but can’t get to them etc. etc. The last message from them said they were answering more phone calls and unable to get things done because of that. I will say that the office is doing a great job of following up with me–even if it is only excuses for not getting the comps to me. The office did offer to help me start the appeal process without the research and backup–which thanks to Katrina I have already done. I just hope that I get the comps in enough time to get them to the committee before my hearing.

Is there a way to find out now when my hearing date will be?

Thanks