King County taxes - and the answer is . . .

Within 2 days of sending in my petition to fight my property tax assessment, I received the “Petition Receipt Letter” from the county.  My petition has been processed and forwarded to the Assessor’s Office for review.  Their response should be expected “over the next several months.” 

I was so excited and happy that I got a response that I let myself get ahead of the game! Once I finished reading the WHOLE letter did I see the problem.  If the Assessor’s Office doesn’t agree that my tax value is too high, or I do not agree with the new value - then a hearing date is set based upon a first come, first serve basis.  Since the Board receives between 5,500 and 8,000 petitions each year it is possible that the hearing would not take place by the time my 2009 taxes are due to be paid! Furthermore, the hearing may not be set before King County assesses my home again!! Then the whole process would start again!! The County would refund any difference if the value were to change once a hearing did take place!

Now I just wait! I am hoping that I will hear back and that the number will be reasonable - I certainly do not want to have to do this all over again before the first hearing even occurs.  I will continue to keep you posted on my progress!!

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