Jan. 21, 2009

Hinkle cosponsors legislation allowing taxpayers more time to appeal property tax valuations
'This legislation simply makes it possible for property owners to appeal unfair assessments due to fluctuating market conditions,' says Hinkle

Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, believes one of his highest priorities as an elected official is to watch out for taxpayers and protect taxpayer dollars at every opportunity.

Today, Hinkle cosponsored legislation to help protect property owners from unfair property assessments by giving them more time to appeal when there is a dispute.

"With the ups and downs of the real estate and housing markets the past few years, many property owners have seen huge increases in assessed values," Hinkle said.  "For some, that assessed value took place over a year ago when the market was booming.  Now that the market has gone backwards, the assessed value in many cases is not even close to reality.

"This legislation simply makes it possible for property owners to appeal unfair assessments due to fluctuating market conditions," Hinkle said.

House Bill 1480 changes the date a home owner may appeal the property's assessed value from June 30 to November 1.

Hinkle said the appeal still must be made within 30 days after the date of the assessment.  But, he said, in some cases, if the property hasn't changed in assessed value, no notice is given to the homeowner.  This scenario can make it nearly impossible for the homeowner to appeal should market conditions change the true and fair market value.

"A lot of homeowners in the 13th District were not allowed to appeal their assessments because the county assessor ruled that the assessed value of their property didn't change from the previous year," Hinkle explained.  "As such, no official notice was given to the homeowners, so they then could not make an appeal.  This legislation fixes a glaring 'catch-22' for property owners."

House Bill 1480 was referred to the House Finance Committee.

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