BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
                                                  100 W. Broadway Suite 1
                                                     Montesano, WA 98563

The Assessor mailed the January 1, 2023, value change notices on Nov. 17, 2023. 
The 30-day filing window for appeals ended on December 18, 2023. 

To request a waiver of filing deadline for good cause under WAC 458-14-056(3) attach this form with your petition.

The Board of Equalization is a quasi-judicial board that hears appeals from taxpayers concerning the assessed value of their property.  Taxpayers can contact the board at any time during the year for information on the appeal process and appeal submittal timelines.  You only have 30 calendar days from the date the Assessor's Office mails your revaluation notice to you to submit a petition to the BOE.  Petition forms submitted after the 30 calendar day window are not timely and will be rejected unless the petitioner can show good cause to waive the deadline date.      

Once you receive your change of value notice and have questions concerning the new assessed value, you should immediately contact the Grays Harbor County Assessor’s Office.  Property owners can often settle disagreements at this level without filing a petition form; however, a petition MUST be timely filed within the 30 calendar day window with the Board of Equalization to protect your right to continue researching the value of your property and be able to have a hearing in front of the Board of Equalization explaining your reasons, evidence and findings to prove that your estimate of value is the correct market value.


Please contact the Clerk of the Board, Rose O'Keefe, at 360-964-1571 or rose.okeefe@graysharbor.us for forms, information on the appeal process and any questions you may have with filling out the appeal form or finding/submitting the required evidence.  The completed petition form must be timely filed within 30 calendar days from the date that the revalue notices were mailed, or by July 1st of the current assessment year whichever date is later in the year
You MUST submit a copy of your revaluation notice with your appeal.

The Assessor mailed the January 1, 2023, value change notices on Nov. 17, 2023.  The 30-day filing window for appeals ends on December 18, 2023. 

2023 Board of Equalization will convene on Dec 7, 2023 and continue in session for 28 days meeting on Dec 14th and Dec 18th. BOE notice of regular 28-day session 2023
       

To print a real property (residential/commercial) appeal form click here
To print a personal property appeal form
click here


Additional information on the appeal process:
            Welcome to the BOE process:  click here
              Evidence and documentation information:  click here
            Department of Revenue publication-appealing your property value:  click here
            Department of Revenue publication-Mass appraisal process: click here

The appeal process is informal and does not require an attorney.  Washington State law does require that the appellant submit clear, cogent and convincing evidence that proves the appraised value does not reflect market value as of January 1 of the assessment year.  Evidence should include 'market' sales information of comparable properties in your area or a similar area that have sold within the last few years showing a sales value closer to your estimate of value.  Sales closest to January 1 of the assessment year will hold the most evidential weight.  A private appraisal with comparable sales listed or information/photo's on conditions of the property not known to the Assessor can also be submitted as evidence. The completed appeal form must be submitted within the 30 day limit; however, you can submit additional evidence any time up to 21 business days before the hearing date. 

The BOE hearings are held in person and on ZOOM.  To watch a zoom recording of a previous meeting go to the Board meetings/hearings section on this site and click on link. 

If you are not satisfied with the determination made by the Board of Equalization, you can appeal that decision to the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals.

About the Board of Equalization

Mission
The Grays Harbor County Board of Equalization, comprised of the County Commissioners, hears and decides appeals related to property valuation and other determinations by the Grays Harbor County Assessor. The Board is established by the laws of Washington State and governed by the Washington State Department of Revenue. The Board of Equalization is committed to ensuring that adequate guidance and information is available to taxpayers in preparing a proper appeal.

Services

The Board provides impartial and economical adjudication for appealing the following
determinations of the Grays Harbor County Assessor:

  • Changes in real and personal property values (residential & commercial) 
  • Determinations of forest land classification/value/removal
  • Determinations of senior citizen/disabled exemption denials & deferral
  • Determinations of current use removals, exemption denials & classifications
  • Determinations of home improvement exemption denials 
  • Determinations regarding historic property
  • Determinations regarding destroyed property 
  • Determinations of valuation reductions after government restriction
  • Valuation of property previously qualified for a multi-unit housing exemption

Information on these topics can be found at the Department of Revenue website
under RCW 84.


The Board of Equalization does not have any authority to rule on the penalty imposed by the county Assessor on personal property taxes when the taxpayer has failed to timely file their personal property listing.

Board Membership
The Grays Harbor County Board of Equalization consists of three members representing each district within the county, and the clerk of the board. The Grays Harbor County Commissioners are the BOE board.

THE CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS ARE:
  Liz Marriott                           Randy Ross                   Susan Ancich
    District 1                               District 2                           District 3

Rose O'Keefe
Clerk of the Board


Additional Information:

Grays Harbor County Assessor’s Office

You may contact the Grays Harbor County Assessor’s office to review your property valuation at any time during the year.  Value agreements may be reached prior to filing an appeal with the Board of Equalization.

100 W Broadway, Suite 21
Montesano, WA 98563
(360) 249-4121


Assessor Office Hours:
Currently Posted Office Hours

Washington State Dept. of Revenue
The Washington State Department of Revenue website provides extensive information on property taxes including links to publications, forms and applicable laws.

Remember

  • The Board must decide if there is 'clear, cogent and convincing' evidence that the Assessor's value is incorrect
  • To file an appeal of the assessment of your property, you must complete and timely submit an appeal petition form to the Grays Harbor County Board of Equalization with a copy of your revaluation card attached. A letter or telephone call will not be accepted as a substitute for the appeal petition form.
  • The deadline for filing an appeal is July 1st of the current assessment year or within 30 days of the date that the Revalue Notices were mailed by the Assessor’s Office, whichever date is later.
  • There is no charge for filing an appeal and an attorney is not required.

A completed petition must include specific market-based reasons why you believe that the Assessor’s Office is incorrect. Statements that the assessor’s valuation is too high or property taxes are excessive are not sufficient. You should be specific as to why the assessed values does not reflect market value. Examples might include sales of similar property sold the year before the assessment date that reflect a lower value for your property; a recent appraisal of your property; or excessive deterioration of your property.