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The Board of
Equalization assists in the administration of property
valuation,
providing an impartial citizen forum for property owners. If a
property owner disputes the assessed value of property, the Board of
Equalization will hear the property owner's appeal and make a
decision.
If you have questions or changes regarding
the value for your property we encourage you to contact the Assessor's Office at
360-577-3010. If it appears an error may have been made, the
department can conduct an assessment review and, if indicated, adjust the
assessed value of your property. To appeal an Assessor's valuation of
property, citizens must file a complete appeal
petition
form with the Cowlitz County Board of Equalization by July 1 of the
current assessment year (2011), or within 30 days of when the last Change of Value
Notice was mailed by the Assessor, whichever date is later.
If your Change
of Value Notice was dated August 8, 2011 the deadline to file a petition
is September 7, 2011. (Remember there are 31 days in August)
Remember -
The Board of Equalization deals with valuation, not taxes. Your
taxes are based on the valuation of your property. Your property
will be valued in 2011 (and every year). You will pay taxes on
this value in February, 2012. If you wait until you receive your tax
statement in February, 2012 you will be too late.
You must appeal
your 2011 value by July 1, 2011 or 30 days from the date of the Notice
of Value statement, whichever is later.
Summary of 2011
Petitions Filed
Washington has a budget based
taxation system.
- Higher assessment do not result in more tax for a taxing district.
- Taxing districts are limited to a 1% increase over their highest lawful levy
since 1985, plus additional funds for new construction, increased value for
state assessed utility value, and annexations.
The Board of Equalization will
convene after July 15, 2011 in the County Administration Building, 207 4th Ave N.,
3rd floor. The Board continues in session during regular office hours
until all taxpayer appeals of assessed value are heard or otherwise resolved. Hearings are
scheduled on Wednesdays as needed. Hearings generally take
fifteen minutes for residential and
one half hour for commercial properties.
Telephone: 360-577-3015
Fax:
360-423-9987
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Address: 207 4th Ave N.
Kelso, WA 98626
(3rd Floor - inside Commissioners Office)
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