Dear King County Taxpayer:

As real estate values have dropped, there is a natural expectation that your property taxes should drop as well. However, this may not be the case.

Depending upon where you live, the specific taxes levied in your area, and local real estate values, it's possible that while the appraised value of your home has decreased, your taxes have increased.

That's because about half of your property tax is determined by the levies that you and your neighbors have approved for such services as schools, parks, EMS and fire/rescue, among others. If these levies stay the same or increase from the year before, your property taxes may increase. Similarly, if other valuations decrease more than yours, your taxes may also increase.

Only 17 cents of every property tax dollar supports the King County General Fund. The other 83 cents are divided between the State, cities and other local jurisdictions.

There are 165 local taxing districts in King County, and break downs among levies are included in your specific tax bill.

Please call us at 206-296-7300 if you have any questions.

Lloyd Hara

King County Assessor