Snohomish County Property Tax Appeal, Washington

Travis Bunn·Updated July 22, 2026

Watch: How to appeal your property taxes in Snohomish County

Snohomish County is Washington's third-most populous county with approximately 880,000 residents. The county seat is Everett, with major population centers including Marysville, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mukilteo, Lake Stevens, and Mill Creek. Property tax appeals matter significantly here because Snohomish County has one of the highest median property taxes in the United States, ranked 155th of 3,143 counties nationwide. With a median home value ranging from $592,800 to $644,600 depending on the data source and an effective tax rate between 0.79% to 0.89%, homeowners pay substantially more than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

Notable cities: Everett, Marysville, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mukilteo, Lake Stevens, Mill Creek, Bothell

Median Home

$620,000

Tax Rate

0.82%

Annual Tax

$4,900

Population

880,000

On the typical Snohomish County home, valued near $620,000 at the county’s effective tax rate of 0.82%, 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 from the date your assessment notice was mailed, 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.

For 2026, assessment notices mailed in late June have a deadline of August 25, 2026 at 4:00 PM. The deadline is set by RCW 84.40.038 and is the later of July 1 of the assessment year or 60 calendar days after the date the county mailed your change of value notice. If you never received a notice, the July 1 default applies.

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Washington craftsman home among evergreens. Snohomish County appeal guide.

How Snohomish County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Snohomish County Assessor's Office

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: late May to June

Washington State law requires assessors to appraise property at 100% of its true and fair market value. Snohomish County updates all taxable real and personal property assessed values annually as of January 1 of each year. If your home's market value is $620,000, at Washington's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $620,000, resulting in approximately $5,084 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 0.82%. Properties are physically inspected at least once every six years.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the County Board of Equalization. The Snohomish County Board of Equalization is an independent body of five citizen members appointed by the County Council. All hearings are currently held remotely via Zoom or telephone. By law, the presumption of correctness is granted to the assessor, so you bear the burden of proving the assessed value is incorrect with clear evidence. The Board will only consider market value evidence and cannot consider your tax bill amount, percentage increase, personal hardship, or other properties' assessments.

Step 1: Before filing a formal appeal, call the Assessor's Office at 425-388-6555 (Residential Appraisal) to discuss your concerns with an appraiser. Many issues can be resolved through this informal conversation without filing an appeal.

Step 2: If you cannot reach an agreement with the appraiser, obtain a petition form from the Board of Equalization by calling 425-388-3407 or downloading it from the BOE website. Complete the form with your property information, your opinion of value, and specific reasons why you believe the assessed value is incorrect.

Step 3: File your completed petition with the Snohomish County Board of Equalization by the deadline (July 1 or 60 days from your notice date, whichever is later). Use the online webform, mail, or hand-deliver. There is no filing fee.

Step 4: After filing, you will receive a case/petition number by mail. Your petition will be forwarded to the Assessor's Office for review. Gather and submit your evidence (comparable sales, photos, repair estimates, appraisal reports) as soon as possible. The Assessor may contact you for more information or make a settlement offer.

Step 5: If no settlement is reached, attend your scheduled hearing before the Board of Equalization. Hearings are currently held remotely via Zoom or telephone. Present your evidence showing that the assessed value exceeds true market value. The Board will issue a written decision, typically within 12-18 months of filing.

Step 6: If you disagree with the BOE decision, you may appeal to the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals within 30 days of the mailing date of the BOE decision by filing an informal or formal appeal.

Step 7: If still unsatisfied after the State Board of Tax Appeals decision, you may appeal to Superior Court within 30 days of the state board's decision.

Required form: Petition to the County Board of Equalization (Form 64 0075 or county-specific petition form)

Filing Methods

online:Use the webform on the Snohomish County Board of Equalization website at snohomishcountywa.gov/134/Board-of-Equalization - petitions must be timestamped by 4:00 PM on the deadline. Note: email submissions are NOT accepted.

mail:Snohomish County Board of Equalization, 3000 Rockefeller Ave, M/S 409, Everett, WA 98201. Must be postmarked by the filing deadline.

in-person:Deliver to Snohomish County Board of Equalization office at 3000 Rockefeller Ave, M/S 409, Everett, WA 98201 by 4:00 PM on the deadline.

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable sales of similar properties (within 12 months of January 1, within 1 mile, similar size and features)Professional appraisal report dated near the assessment datePhotos documenting property condition, defects, or deferred maintenanceCost-to-cure estimates from licensed contractors for needed repairsProperty record corrections if the Assessor has wrong square footage, room count, or features

Snohomish County Assessor Contact

Snohomish County Assessor's Office

Phone: 425-388-3433

Address: 3000 Rockefeller Ave, M/S 510, Everett, WA 98201

Website: https://snohomishcountywa.gov/assessor

Online Portal: https://snohomishcountywa.gov/134/Board-of-Equalization

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed on holidays)

Tax Exemptions in Snohomish County

Senior Citizen & Disabled Persons Exemption

Varies by income tier: up to 60% exemption of value or full exemption from regular levies for lowest income tier

Provides property tax relief by freezing assessed value and exempting qualifying homeowners from various levies including excess, special, and potentially regular levies. The exemption is tiered based on income level.

Eligibility: Must be age 61 or older by December 31 (or age 57+ surviving spouse of prior participant), OR retired due to disability, OR disabled veteran with 80%+ service-connected disability rating. Must own and occupy as primary residence for more than 6 months per year. Combined household disposable income must not exceed $75,000 (2026 limit for Snohomish County).Deadline: December 31 of the year before taxes are due (apply by December 31, 2025 for 2026 tax relief)

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption

Up to 60% of assessed value or $60,000 for 100% P&T disability, whichever is greater. Full exemption from regular levies possible for lowest income tier.

Provides income-based property tax relief for qualifying disabled veterans. At the lowest income tier, veterans can be fully exempt from regular property taxes. Higher income veterans receive partial exemptions or assessed value freezes.

Eligibility: Must be a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of at least 80% from the VA, or receiving VA compensation at the 100% rate. Must own and occupy as primary residence. Combined household disposable income must be within program limits (VA disability compensation excluded from income calculation).Deadline: December 31 of the year before taxes are due

Property Tax Deferral Program

Covers full annual property tax bill

Allows eligible seniors and disabled persons to defer payment of property taxes. The state pays the taxes on behalf of the homeowner and places a lien on the property until repayment (when property is sold or transferred).

Eligibility: Must meet age/disability requirements similar to exemption program but have income too high for exemption. Income threshold approximately $67,000 for 2026. Must have at least 25% equity in property.

Snohomish County Appeal Statistics

Success Rate

30-50%

% Who Appeal

3-5%

Snohomish County Appeal Packet · $49

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Snohomish County for 2026?

For 2026, the appeal deadline is the later of July 1, 2026, or 60 calendar days after the date your change of value notice was mailed. For assessment notices mailed in late June 2026, the deadline is August 25, 2026 at 4:00 PM. This deadline is set by Washington state law (RCW 84.40.038) and is not flexible. If you miss the deadline, you typically must wait an entire year to appeal the next assessment. You can confirm your specific deadline by calling the Board of Equalization at 425-388-3407 or checking the date on your assessment notice.

How do I file a property tax appeal online in Snohomish County?

Snohomish County requires you to use the online webform located on the Board of Equalization website at snohomishcountywa.gov/134/Board-of-Equalization for electronic filing. Email submissions are no longer accepted. The online petition must be timestamped no later than 4:00 PM on the filing deadline. You'll need your property information, parcel number, your opinion of the correct value, and a brief explanation of why you believe the assessor's value is incorrect. After submitting, you'll receive a case number by mail and can then submit your supporting evidence through the website. There is no charge for filing an appeal.

What evidence do I need to win a property tax appeal in Snohomish County?

The strongest evidence for a Snohomish County property tax appeal includes recent comparable sales of similar properties sold within 12 months prior to January 1 of the assessment year, ideally within 1 mile of your property and within 20% of your home's square footage. You should find 3-5 arms-length sales with similar bedroom/bathroom counts and condition. Also effective are professional appraisal reports, cost-to-cure statements from licensed contractors for deferred maintenance or needed repairs, and photos documenting property condition or defects. If the Assessor has factual errors in your property record (wrong square footage, incorrect room count, features you don't have), documentation proving these errors is highly persuasive. The Board cannot consider your tax bill amount, assessment percentage increases, or comparisons to neighbors' assessments.

What happens at a Board of Equalization hearing in Snohomish County?

Snohomish County Board of Equalization hearings are currently held remotely via Zoom or telephone rather than in person. During the hearing, you will present your evidence to a panel of five citizen board members appointed by the County Council who are independent from the Assessor's Office. You'll explain why you believe the assessed value exceeds your property's true market value and present your comparable sales, appraisal, or other evidence. The Assessor's representative will also present their case. Board members may ask questions of both parties. By Washington state law, the Assessor's value is presumed correct, so you bear the burden of proving it is wrong with clear, cogent, and convincing evidence. Most appeals are resolved within 12-18 months of filing, and you'll receive a written decision by mail.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Snohomish County?

On a median Snohomish County home valued at $620,000 with the county's effective tax rate of 0.82%, an over-assessment of just 10% means you're overpaying approximately $508 per year in property taxes. A successful appeal that reduces your assessed value by 10-15% could save you $500 to $760 annually. According to national statistics, between 30% and 50% of homeowners who file appeals win some kind of reduction. For Snohomish County specifically, the Board received approximately 1,400 appeals for the 2025 assessment year, suggesting that only about 3-5% of homeowners actually file appeals. The key is ensuring your assessed value exceeds true market value based on comparable sales data.

Can I appeal my property taxes before paying them in Snohomish County?

Yes, you can and should file your property tax appeal as soon as you receive your assessment notice, which typically arrives in late May or June, well before your tax bill is due. The appeal deadline is 60 days from when your notice was mailed or July 1, whichever is later. Your property taxes are calculated later in the year and are due the following year, so the appeal process happens before you receive your tax bill. However, if your appeal extends into the period when taxes are due, you should pay your taxes on time to avoid interest and penalty charges. If your appeal is successful and your valuation is lowered, you will receive a refund or credit from the county for any overpayment.

What is the senior property tax exemption worth in Snohomish County?

The senior citizen property tax exemption in Snohomish County can provide substantial savings, potentially eliminating most or all regular property taxes depending on your income level. For 2026, qualifying seniors age 61 or older with combined household income of $75,000 or less can receive exemptions ranging from partial relief to full exemption from regular levies. The exemption is tiered by income: lower income households receive greater benefits. For example, at the lowest income tier, homeowners can save $2,000 to $5,000 or more per year. The program also freezes your assessed value at the enrollment value. To apply, contact the Snohomish County Assessor's Exemption Division at 425-388-3540 by December 31 to qualify for the following year's taxes.

Should I call the Assessor before filing a formal appeal in Snohomish County?

Yes, absolutely. County Assessor Linda Hjelle strongly recommends that property owners call her office to talk to an appraiser before filing a formal appeal with the Board of Equalization, as many concerns or issues can be resolved through a one-on-one conversation. You can reach the Residential Appraisal division at 425-388-6555. This informal review process can save you time and effort by potentially resolving property record errors, explaining the valuation methodology, or reaching an agreement on the assessed value without going through a formal hearing. If you cannot reach an agreement with the appraiser, they will explain how to proceed with filing a formal appeal with the Board of Equalization. This informal step does not affect your appeal deadline.

Official Resources

Snohomish County Assessor's Office →

Official assessor website with property search, assessment information, exemption forms, and SCOPI mapping tool.

Snohomish County Board of Equalization →

File property tax appeals online, download petition forms, and access appeal process guides and FAQs.

Washington State Department of Revenue - Property Tax →

State property tax resources including exemption programs, senior/disabled property tax relief, and statewide regulations.

Washington State Board of Tax Appeals →

State-level appeal board for appealing County Board of Equalization decisions on property values and exemptions.

SCOPI - Snohomish County Property Search →

Interactive online tool to search property information, view assessments, find comparable sales, and access parcel data by address or parcel number.

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://snohomishcountywa.gov/134/Board-of-Equalization | https://snohomishcountywa.gov/assessor | https://snohomishcountywa.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/3220 | https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/property-tax | https://bta.wa.gov | https://propertytaxrates.org/counties/washington/snohomish-county/ | https://www.tax-rates.org/washington/snohomish_county_property_tax | https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-counties/washington/snohomish-county

Last verified: 2026-07-22