Board of Equalization

February’s top question: Can I appeal my taxes to the Board of Equalization?

No - the board may accept petitions to appeal assessments and other determinations made by the Assessor’s office, but cannot accept appeals regarding your tax statement. For taxes payable in 2020, the appeal deadline for most taxpayers was August 20, 2019. New 2020 assessment notices will be mailed to most taxpayers in late June, and you have 60 days from the date of that notice to appeal your assessed value, for taxes payable in 2021. If you are unsure how or when you should appeal, please contact the clerk of the board at 425-388-3407 for more information.

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.