Better Homeowners
Since 1974, helping you when you buy, sell and all the years in between!

Answers to an Inaccurate Property Tax Assessment - 7/30/2025

Each year, homeowners receive a notification of their property tax assessment, which, when combined with the local tax rate, determines how much they owe in property taxes. While this process is meant to fairly reflect a home's value, assessments are not always accurate. If the valuation is incorrect, homeowners may end up paying more than they should. Fortunately, you have the right to challenge the assessment if you believe it is inaccurate.

Here are some of the most common reasons a property tax assessment may be incorrect:

  1. Overvaluation - Assessors estimate your home's market value, but if they overvalue it, your taxes will be higher than necessary. This can happen if they rely on outdated or incomplete data or if home values in your area have declined since the last assessment.
  2. Errors in Property Information - Mistakes in the assessor's records can lead to an inflated value. Common errors include incorrect square footage, an inaccurate number of bedrooms or bathrooms, or outdated details about renovations and improvements. If the records show more features than your home actually has, you may be paying too much in taxes.
  3. Comparable Sales Discrepancies - If similar homes in your neighborhood are assessed at a lower value, your home's assessment may not be consistent with market trends. Assessors use comparable properties to determine value, but if they fail to factor in differences—such as location, lot size, or condition—it could lead to an unfairly high assessment.
  4. Market Value Decline - Real estate markets fluctuate, and if your property's value has dropped since the last assessment, your tax bill may not reflect the change. Assessors do not always adjust values quickly enough to keep up with market shifts.
  5. Damage or Deterioration - If your home has suffered significant damage—such as structural issues, fire damage, or foundation problems—it could be worth less than its assessed value. If these factors aren't considered, you may be overpaying.
  6. Incorrect Classification - If your home is classified incorrectly—such as being assessed as commercial property instead of residential—it can result in a much higher tax bill.
  7. Exemptions Not Applied - Many homeowners qualify for tax exemptions, such as homestead, senior citizen, or veteran exemptions. If these were not applied, your tax bill could be higher than it should be.

If you believe your property tax assessment is incorrect, you have the right to challenge it. This typically involves gathering evidence, such as recent comparable home sales, correcting errors in the property records, or providing proof of market decline or damage.

Your real estate agent can be a valuable resource in this process. They can help you find comparable sales data and provide insights into market trends. If you have questions about your property's value or the process of appealing your tax assessment, reach out to your agent—they're there to help!

Larry Bell CRB, CRS, SRES, ABR, SFR John L Scott Real Estate Everett, WA (425) 359-4041 12094 Larry has over five decades of experience in the real estate industry, with a strong foundational background in new construction, design, development, financing, and sales management. Since 1974, he has focused on residential sales and listings, managing and training hundreds of agents and growing branch offices throughout every economic climate. Larry has developed in-depth market knowledge that all his clients benefit from. In 1992, Larry owned and operated a successful real estate franchise that maintained the title of top 10% personal production nationwide. Since 2019, Larry has been solely committed to representing home-buying and selling clients at John L. Scott Real Estate in Everett as a managing broker. Larry's commitment to continuing education and expanding his professional accreditations demonstrates his focus on providing the highest, professional service for his clients. He holds numerous accreditations, including: -CRB Certified Residential Broker -CRS Certified Residential Specialist -ABR Accredited Buyer Representative -SRES Senior Real Estate Residential Specialist -SFR Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource Additionally, Larry is an active member of: -National Association of Realtors -Washington State Realtor Association -Snohomish-Camano Board of Realtors He and Judy, his wife are a proud family. They share four sons, eight grandkids, and five great-grandkids. Larry is prepared to help you succeed in your real estate endeavors and welcomes the opportunity to help you with your real estate future! Contact Me Visit my Website Send a Referral Subscribe to Newsletter