AppealDesk

Pierce County Property Tax Appeal, Washington

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

Watch: How to appeal your property taxes in Pierce County

Pierce County is Washington's second-most populous county with an estimated population of 952,790 as of 2026. The county seat is Tacoma, which serves as the economic and cultural hub for the region. Pierce County's median home value of $495,600 is significantly higher than the national average, and property tax bills reflect this premium real estate market. The county's median annual property tax bill of approximately $4,961 is well above the national median of $2,400, making property tax appeals particularly valuable for homeowners who may be overassessed. With an effective tax rate of approximately 1.01%, Pierce County property owners pay slightly above the Washington state median and the national average.

Notable cities: Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, University Place, Gig Harbor

Median Home

$495,600

Tax Rate

1.01%

Annual Tax

$4,961

Population

952,790

On the typical Pierce County home, valued near $495,600 at the county’s effective tax rate of 1.01%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying year after year until you appeal it. Here is how to find out if yours qualifies.

2026 Appeal Deadline: July 1, 2026 or within 60 days of the date of mailing on your value change notice, whichever is later

This year's appeal window has passed in most of Washington. Order now and we re-run your numbers free when the window reopens, so your evidence is ready the day your next notice lands.

The appeal deadline is the later of two dates: July 1 of the current assessment year, or 60 days from the date your value change notice was mailed. Assessment notices are typically mailed in spring and reach homeowners by mid-June. For 2026 assessments, property owners who received notices in spring 2026 must file by the later deadline. Always check the specific deadline printed on your assessment notice.

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How Pierce County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: Spring (typically by mid-June)

Washington state law requires the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer to assess all taxable property at 100% of its true and fair market value. This means your assessed value equals your market value with no reduction. For example, if your home's market value is $495,600 (Pierce County's median), at Washington's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $495,600, resulting in approximately $5,006 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.01%. Properties are physically inspected once every six years according to the revaluation plan approved by the Washington State Department of Revenue.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the County Board of Equalization. The Pierce County Board of Equalization is an independent, quasi-judicial body with five citizen members. At your hearing, you will present evidence supporting your claim that the assessed value exceeds fair market value, and the Assessor-Treasurer will present their evidence. The Board only considers market value evidence and cannot consider tax amounts, personal hardship, or percentage increases.

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Step 1: Review your value change notice carefully and compare your assessed value to recent comparable sales in your neighborhood using the Pierce County Assessor's Parcel Search at www.co.pierce.wa.us/atr.

2

Step 2: Gather evidence to support your appeal, including comparable sales data from the last 12 months, photos of property condition, repair estimates for any defects, recent appraisals, or documentation of factors that reduce your property's value.

3

Step 3: Download and complete the Taxpayer Petition for Review of Real Property form from the Board of Equalization website. The form must be properly filled out with all relevant questions answered. Only Washington State Department of Revenue-approved forms are accepted.

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Step 4: File your completed petition with supporting evidence at the Pierce County Board of Equalization by mail or in person before the deadline (July 1 or 60 days from notice mailing date, whichever is later). Keep copies of everything you submit.

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Step 5: Attend your hearing before the Pierce County Board of Equalization. You will present your evidence and the Assessor-Treasurer will present theirs. The Board is an independent body that determines whether the assessed value exceeds 100% of fair market value.

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Step 6: If the Board's decision is unfavorable, you can appeal to the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals within 30 days of the Board of Equalization's decision.

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Step 7: As a final option, if the State Board of Tax Appeals denies your appeal, you can file an appeal in Pierce County Superior Court.

Required form: Taxpayer Petition for Review of Real Property (Washington State Department of Revenue approved form)

Filing Methods

mail:Pierce County Board of Equalization, 2401 South 35th St, Room 176, Tacoma, WA 98409. Petition must be filed single-sided and signed.
in-person:Pierce County Board of Equalization office at 2401 South 35th St, Room 176, Tacoma, WA 98409. Office hours: weekdays 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM.
download:Download petition forms at www.co.pierce.wa.us/boe or www.piercecountywa.gov/679/Appeals

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales from the last 12 months showing similar properties sold for lessRecent professional appraisalPhotographs documenting property condition or defectsRepair estimates or contractor quotes for needed workDocumentation of factors affecting value (environmental issues, easements, etc.)

Pierce County Assessor Contact

Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer

Website: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/91/Assessor---Treasurer

Online Portal: https://atip.piercecountywa.gov/

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (front counter closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM during June, July, and August; phone lines remain open)

Tax Exemptions in Pierce County

Senior Citizens and People with Disabilities Exemption

Three income-based tiers: (1) Income $46,000 or less: Exempt from excess levies, Part 2 of state school levy, and regular levies on $60,000 or 60% of assessed value, whichever is greater; (2) Income $46,001-$57,000: Exempt from excess levies and Part 2 of state school levy; (3) Income $57,001-$64,000: Exempt from excess levies only

This program significantly reduces property taxes on your primary residence by freezing its value for tax purposes and exempting you from various levies including excess, special, and potentially regular levies.

Eligibility: Age 61 or older, OR retired due to disability, OR disabled veteran with 80%+ VA rating. Must own and occupy home as primary residence for at least 6 months per year. Combined household disposable income must be below $64,000 (Pierce County thresholds for 2026).Deadline: December 31 annually (renewals required minimum once every six years)

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption

Varies by disability rating and income tier. Veterans with 100% disability rating may receive exemption of up to 60% of assessed value or $60,000, whichever is greater. New tiered structure (effective 2026): 10-29% rating up to $5,000; 30-49% up to $7,500; 50-69% up to $10,000; 70-100% up to $12,000. Amounts adjusted annually for inflation.

Income-based property tax relief for veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 80% or higher, or those receiving 100% VA compensation.

Eligibility: Veterans with 80%+ service-connected disability rating or 100% VA compensation rate. Must own and occupy home as primary residence for at least 9 months per year. Income limits apply based on combined household disposable income.Deadline: December 31 annually

Property Tax Deferral Program

Full deferral of current property taxes

Alternative to exemption for seniors and disabled persons with income too high to qualify for exemptions. Allows deferral of property taxes with 5% simple interest, repaid when property is sold or transferred.

Eligibility: Age 60+ or retired due to disability. Household income typically capped around $67,000 for 2026. Must have equity in the home to secure the deferred taxes.Deadline: Contact Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer for annual deadline

Pierce County Appeal Packet · $49

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Pierce County for 2026?
The deadline to file a property tax appeal in Pierce County is July 1, 2026, or within 60 days of the date your value change notice was mailed, whichever is later. Your specific deadline is printed on the front of your assessment notice. Assessment notices are typically mailed in spring and reach homeowners by mid-June. Missing this deadline means you must wait until the next assessment year to appeal, so it's critical to act quickly once you receive your notice. The Pierce County Board of Equalization strictly enforces these deadlines.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Pierce County?
To file a property tax appeal, you must complete the Taxpayer Petition for Review of Real Property form available at www.co.pierce.wa.us/boe. The form must be filled out completely, signed, and printed single-sided along with your supporting evidence. File your petition by mail to Pierce County Board of Equalization, 2401 South 35th St, Room 176, Tacoma, WA 98409, or deliver it in person during business hours (weekdays 8:30 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM-4:30 PM). Only Washington State Department of Revenue-approved petition forms are accepted; letters or other forms will be rejected. Include all supporting documentation such as comparable sales, photos, or appraisals when you file.
What evidence do I need for a successful property tax appeal in Pierce County?
The Pierce County Board of Equalization requires market value evidence to support your appeal. The most effective evidence includes recent comparable sales from the last 12 months showing similar properties in your area sold for less than your assessed value. You should also provide photographs documenting your property's condition, repair estimates or contractor quotes for needed work, and any recent professional appraisals. The Board will not do research to support your appeal, so you must furnish specific evidence demonstrating the Assessor-Treasurer's valuation exceeds your property's fair market value. The Board cannot consider personal hardship, tax amounts, percentage increases, or other matters unrelated to market value.
What is the senior citizen property tax exemption worth in Pierce County?
The Senior Citizens and People with Disabilities Exemption in Pierce County can provide substantial tax relief based on three income tiers. If your household income is $46,000 or less, you're exempt from excess levies, Part 2 of the state school levy, and regular levies on $60,000 or 60% of your assessed value (whichever is greater). With a median home value of $495,600, this could mean exemption on approximately $297,360 in assessed value, potentially saving thousands of dollars annually. Income between $46,001-$57,000 provides partial exemptions, and income of $57,001-$64,000 exempts only excess levies. You must be 61 or older, or disabled, and own and occupy the home as your primary residence.
What happens at a Board of Equalization hearing in Pierce County?
At your Pierce County Board of Equalization hearing, you will appear before an independent, quasi-judicial board of five citizen members appointed by the County Executive. You present your evidence first, explaining why you believe the assessed value exceeds fair market value, typically taking 15-30 minutes. Then the Assessor-Treasurer's representative presents their evidence supporting the assessment. The Board's sole job is determining whether the assessment exceeds 100% of fair market value based on the evidence presented. The Board cannot consider tax amounts, assessments of other properties, percentage increases, personal hardship, or levy rates, only market value evidence matters. After both sides present, the Board deliberates and issues a written decision.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Pierce County?
Potential savings from a successful property tax appeal in Pierce County depend on how much your assessment is reduced. With Pierce County's effective tax rate of approximately 1.01%, every $10,000 reduction in assessed value saves you about $101 annually. For example, if your home is assessed at $495,600 but comparable sales show it should be valued at $450,000, a successful appeal reducing your assessment by $45,600 would save approximately $461 per year. Given that 25% of homes nationally are overassessed by an average of $1,346 annually, and Pierce County has higher-than-average home values, the potential savings can be significant. The reduction applies only to the year in which the appeal is made and granted.
Can I appeal my Pierce County property taxes online?
No, Pierce County does not currently offer online filing for property tax appeals. You must download the Taxpayer Petition for Review of Real Property form from www.co.pierce.wa.us/boe, complete it, print it single-sided, sign it, and submit it either by mail or in person to the Pierce County Board of Equalization at 2401 South 35th St, Room 176, Tacoma, WA 98409. While you cannot file electronically, you can access forms, research comparable sales, and view your property information online through the Assessor-Treasurer's Information Portal at atip.piercecountywa.gov. The Board office is open weekdays 8:30 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM-4:30 PM for in-person filing.
What if I disagree with the Board of Equalization decision in Pierce County?
If the Pierce County Board of Equalization denies your appeal or you disagree with their decision, you have the right to appeal to the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals. You must file this appeal within 30 days of the date the Board of Equalization mails notice of their decision. If the State Board's decision is also unfavorable, you can appeal to Pierce County Superior Court as a final option. When the Board of Equalization reduces your property value, the new valuation takes effect immediately. However, if the Assessor-Treasurer seeks to increase your value, it doesn't take effect for 30 days, giving you time to appeal. Value changes granted by the Board apply only to the year in which the appeal was made.

Official Resources

Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Official Website →

Access property information, parcel search, tax payment, exemption applications, and assessment appeals resources.

Pierce County Board of Equalization Appeals →

Download appeal petition forms, view hearing schedules, and find detailed instructions for filing your property tax appeal.

Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Information Portal →

Search property records, view assessed values, research comparable sales, and access your property's detailed assessment information.

Washington State Department of Revenue Property Tax Information →

State-level property tax resources including exemption programs, assessment guidelines, and State Board of Tax Appeals information.

For state-wide appeal information including Washington's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Washington Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

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← All Washington property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/679/Appeals | https://www.piercecountywa.gov/91/Assessor---Treasurer | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/washington/pierce-county | https://propertytaxrates.org/counties/washington/pierce-county/ | https://www.piercecountywa.gov/702/Senior-Citizens-Or-People-with-Disabilit | https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-counties/washington/pierce-county

Last verified: 2026-07-24