Home > Washington > Cowlitz

Cowlitz County, Washington

312 SW 1st Ave.
Kelso, Washington 98626

Tel: 360-577-3016
Fax: 360-577-3132

County Website: Cowlitz county
Assessor Website: Cowlitz county assessor

Cowlitz County Property Assessment Adjustment Instructions

Research the property tax laws and regulations in Cowlitz County, Washington to ensure that you have a valid reason for appealing your property taxes.
Obtain a copy of your property's most recent assessment from the Cowlitz County Assessor's Office (https://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/assessor/)
Gather any relevant documentation, such as recent appraisals or comparables, that support your claim that your property is overvalued.
Complete the appropriate appeal form and submit it to the Cowlitz County Assessor's Office by the deadline specified on the form. (https://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/assessor/property-tax-appeals/)
Attend the hearing in front of the Cowlitz County Board of Equalization, where you will present your case and provide evidence to support your appeal.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your appeal, you may file an appeal to the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals within 30 days of the Board's decision. (https://dor.wa.gov/appeals)

URLs

Here's how to lower your property taxes in Cowlitz county

Contact the county assessor

Contact the Cowlitz county tax assessor's office and ask for a review of the property's value. Visit the Cowlitz county assessor's website to find the phone number to call. If the assessor determines that your property is worth less than the value on which your taxes are based, your property taxes may be lowered.

Tax exemptions

Start by finding what your tax bill is. Typically you will find your tax bill information on your mortgage statement. Look for tax exemptions or credits that you may be eligible for. Many states and localities offer exemptions or credits for homeowners who meet certain criteria, information such as being over a certain age or having a low income. Cowlitz county may have these types of exemptions available for homeowners. These exemptions and credits can lower the property tax you owe.

Appeal tax assessment

Appeal the property tax assessment. If you believe that your property's value has been overestimated, you can typically appeal the assessment to your Cowlitz county tax assessor's office. This is part of the services that your assessor's office provides. You will need to provide evidence to support your claim, such as a recent appraisal or sales data for comparable properties and homes in your area. Usually, you will meet with the Board of Equalization. If your appeal is successful, your property taxes may be lowered.

Challenge the tax rate

Consider challenging the tax rate. In some cases, the amount of property taxes you owe is not based on the value of your property, but on the tax rate set by your local government. If you believe that the tax rate is too high, you can contact your Cowlitz county government and ask them to consider reducing it.

Property Tax Rules

Stay up-to-date on your property's value and property tax rules. For the purpose of lowering your Cowlitz county property tax, property value is the assessed property value and not the market property value. Assessed property value is used for taxation purposes while market property value is what a buyer and seller would likely agree on. Typically the assessed value is lower than the market value. Your property's value can change over time due to a variety of factors, such as changes in the local real estate market or improvements you make to your property. To ensure that your property taxes are accurate and fair, it is important to stay informed about your property's value and contact Cowlitz county local tax assessor's office if you believe there has been a significant change.

Keep in mind that property tax laws and regulations can vary, so it is important to consult with your Cowlitz county Washington tax assessor's office for specific information about how to reduce your property taxes.

About Cowlitz County

Homes in Cowlitz county have a median home value of $244,940.

Cowlitz county home values are ranked 21 out of 39 counties in the state of Washington for median home price. The average median home value in Washington is $245,180. Garfield county has the lowest median price at $151,329. King county has the highest median price at $600,350.

Compared to the rest of the United States, Cowlitz county homes have a median home value that is above the national median value of $130,626 by ~88%.

Washington Median Home Values by County

The median household income in Cowlitz county is $58,791.

Compared to the state of Washington and the United States, Cowlitz county's median household income is lower than the state of Washington's average median household income of $62,134 and higher than the United States average median household income of $54,172.

income

Cowlitz county's population has grown from 82,119 in 1990 to 110,730 in 2020, an increase of 35% over that time frame.

For comparison, the state of Washington's population has grown from 4,866,669 in 1990 to 7,705,281 in 2020, an increase of 58% over that time frame.

In the United States, the population has grown from 248,790,925 in 1990 to 331,449,281 in 2020, an increase of 33% over that time frame.

Cowlitz county's population change from 1990 to 2020 is less than the population change for Washington and greater than the population change for United States.

population

Cowlitz County Washington Cities

Ariel, Castle Rock, Cougar, Kalama, Kelso, Longview, Ryderwood, Silverlake, Toutle, Woodland

Cowlitz County Washington Zipcodes

98581 / 98603 / 98611 / 98616 / 98625 / 98626 / 98632 / 98645 / 98649 / 98674 /

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