Skip to main content

Important!

Due to the pandemic, our offices are closed to the public. Please visit our Contact page for support options.

COVID-19 business relief is available. El alivio comercial de COVID-19 está disponible.

Home
  • Laws & rules
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • About
  • Log in

Search Google Appliance

  • Home
  • Open a business
    • Get started
    • Apply for a license
    • Plan for taxes
  • Manage a business
    • Run
    • Grow
    • Close
  • Taxes & rates
    • Sales & use tax rates
    • Tax incentives
    • Business & occupation tax
    • Retail sales tax
    • Use tax
    • Property tax
    • Other taxes
    • Income tax
  • File & pay taxes
    • Filing frequencies & due dates
    • File or amend my return
    • Report no business activity
    • Late filing
    • Reviews and appeals
    • Apply for a tax refund
  • Education
    • Industry guides
    • Events & workshops
    • Watch a video
    • Audits
  • Forms & publications
    • Forms by name
    • Forms by subject
    • Publications by name
    • Publications by subject
Home / Find taxes & rates / Property tax / How my residential property is valued
Print

How my residential property is valued

State law requires that county assessors appraise all property at 100 percent of its true and fair market value in money, according to the highest and best use of the property. Fair market value or true value is the amount that a willing and unobligated buyer is willing to pay a willing and unobligated seller. The county assessor values real property using one or more of three professional appraisal methods.

Real property includes land, improvements to land, structures, and certain equipment affixed to structures. Personal property includes furnishings, machinery and equipment, fixtures, supplies, and tools. The primary characteristic of personal property is its mobility. Personal property tax applies to personal property used when conducting business or to other personal property not exempted by law. Most personal property owned by individuals is specifically exempt. However, if these items are used in a business, personal property tax applies.

For more information on how your residential property is assessed and valued see A Homeowner's Guide to Property Taxes (pdf).

Laws & rules | Careers | Contact | About

Home

About

Careers

Contact

Help us improve!

Join our mailing lists

Laws & rules

News releases

Statistics & reports

 

Open a business

Get started

Apply for a license

Plan for taxes

Manage a business

Run

Grow

Close

 

Taxes & rates

Sales & use tax rates

Tax incentives

Business & occupation tax

Retail sales tax

Use tax

Property tax

Other taxes

Income tax

File & pay taxes

Filing frequencies & due dates

File or amend my return

Report no business activity

Late filing

Reviews and appeals

Apply for a tax refund

Education

Industry guides

Events and workshops

Watch a video

Audits

Forms & publications

Forms by name

Forms by subject

Publications by name

Publications by subject

  • Department of Revenue Facebook page
  • Department of Revenue Twitter feed
  • Department of Revenue LinkedIn page.
  • Department of Revenue YouTube channel

Español | Русский | 한글 | Tagalog | Tiéng Viét | 漢語

  Subscribe to receive notifications | Taxpayer Rights and Responsibilities 
Your Privacy | Accessibility | DOR Staff only | © 2017 WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND ITS LICENSORS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Access Washington