Property Tax Lawyers in Kent
Laws of Kent, Washington require all property owners to pay a tax on the value of their property. Property taxes only apply to real property (as opposed to personal property). This includes land, buildings, and assets that are permanently or semi-permanently adhered to the land.
The property tax in Kent, Washington is simply a percentage of a piece of property's appraised value, paid to the state and/or local government on a periodic - typically annual - basis.
The federal government almost never imposes property taxes directly. Property taxes are collected nearly exclusively by state, county, and local governments.
How Property Tax is Calculated in Kent, Washington
Kent, Washington property taxes are typically calculated as a percentage of the value of the taxable property. Rates vary widely across the country, typically ranging from less than 1% at the low end, to about 5% at the high end.
To collect the property tax in a fair and consistent manner, Kent, Washington tax authorities need to have an objective formula for determining the value of land under its jurisdiction.
In many ways, the value of a piece of land is relative. After all, many people ascribe sentimental value to their homes, which goes well beyond its market value. To ensure that the system is fair, the government uses only objective standards to determine value.
To that end, the Kent, Washington employees in charge of appraising land look at objective facts to measure value, like the size of the land and any buildings on it, the way in which the land may legally be used (zoning), and the health of the local real estate market.
How A Kent, Washington Property Tax Attorney Can Help.
In Kent, Washington, property taxes can become pretty confusing. Legal disputes can arise in the property tax context, even if there is no wrongdoing, and the dispute arises from an honest misunderstanding. You might have a good reason to suspect that a mistake was made when your property was appraised, resulting in a higher tax bill than you believe you legally owe, for example.
If you encounter a legal issue with your Kent, Washington property taxes, and don't handle it properly, unnecessary inconvenience and expense can result. If you have the help of a skilled tax attorney in Kent, Washington, however, the odds of encountering such a problem will be small.