Board of Equalization

COVID-19 Update

County offices are closed to the public. Until further notice, we are available by phone, email, or appointment to serve you! Call the clerk of the board at 425-388-3407 or email boe@snoco.org with questions or to make an appointment.

All hearings are being held remotely for the next few weeks. If you would like to attend a hearing, please contact the clerk for instructions. You may attend by Zoom or by telephone.

APRIL'S TOP QUESTIONS

1.   I just received my tax bill, and it's higher than I thought. Can I appeal my taxes?

Answer:   The Board of Equalization (BOE) has jurisdiction over assessment appeals, but not over the taxes that are levied on your property. If you disagree with your assessment, you have 60 days from the mailing date of your new assessment notice in which you may file an appeal with the BOE. Most of these assessment notices are mailed in late June, which makes the appeal deadline in late August.

2.  I filed an appeal last year, but haven't received resolution. What's happening?

Answer:  Your petition is in process. Most appeals are resolved within 12 months of filing. You may call or email to check the status at any time.

The BOE receives many appeals on properties’ assessed valuations every year. For the 2020 assessment year, we received approximately 1200 appeals. We do our best to manage these appeals in a timely manner, and we do plan to hold hearings throughout 2021 for those appeals. 

A copy of your petition has been provided to the Assessor for their review. The Assessor may contact you for more information. Then they will issue a response that supports their assessed value, or they may issue a corrected value, and it is at that point that a hearing will be scheduled before the Board of Equalization if necessary. 

We understand that it is difficult to wait, but we appreciate your patience. In the meantime, please be sure to pay your billed tax amount to avoid penalties and interest. If your appeal results in a reduction of your assessment, any overpayment will be returned to you.

About the Board

The board is an independent body organized to hear appeals of various determinations made by the assessor. It is comprised of five citizen members appointed by the Snohomish County Council, on the recommendation of the executive. The board’s goal is to provide an impartial hearing environment that protects each party’s due process rights and results in a fair decision. Board members must have knowledge of property values, and may not be an elected official or employed by an elected official. Board members are limited to three terms of three years each, and must attend training within one year of appointment or reappointment.