What is a special assessment?

A special assessment in Washington’s property tax law is an additional tax or fee that may be imposed on a property owner. Generally, a special assessment is intended to fund an improvement or service in the local area. These improvements or services could include road or sidewalk repairs, utility upgrades, or other public works projects. In Washington, the amount that a property owner pays for a special assessment is based on the amount of benefit the owner will receive from the improvement or service. This means that any given property may have different fees from other properties in the same area depending on the size, type, and number of improvements the property is receiving. Unlike normal property taxes, special assessments are not treated as part of the general fund of the county or municipality. Instead, they are treated as separate charges and are used to directly benefit the property owners in that specific area. Property owners in Washington can appeal their special assessment if they feel that it is too high or not fair. Generally, the appeal will be made to the county or municipality assessor and a decision will be made by a neutral third party. Overall, special assessments are an important part of property tax law in Washington and are used to ensure that local improvements and services are paid for by those that will benefit from them.

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What is a special assessment?

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