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Board of Equalization

IMPORTANT NOTICE: 

APPEAL DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 19, 2025.

 

On September 19, 2025, the Assessor mailed the 2026 Official Notices of Assessed Value. The deadline to appeal the new value is November 19, 2025. 

 

For petition forms click here.


If you are appealing multiple parcels, you must submit separate petitions for each parcel. 


Must be postmarked no later than November 19, 2025 to:
 Board of Equalization 
 128 N 2nd Street Room 232
 Yakima, WA 98901

 

The Board cannot consider appeals based on the amount of taxes paid, rate of percentage increase, or assessments/taxes of other parcels in comparison to yours (see RCW 84.40.030 and RCW 84.40.0301).


ALL APPEALS MUST BE FILED WITH A COPY OF YOUR ASSESSMENT NOTICE. FAILURE TO INCLUDE THIS DOCUMENT WILL RESULT IN DENIAL OF YOUR APPEAL.

EMAILED DOCUMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. ALL PETITIONS MUST BE MAILED OR DELIVERED TO THE BOE OFFICE. 

Your petition must include sufficient information or evidence to apprise the board and the assessor of the reasons why you believe the assessor’s determination is incorrect. Successful forms of evidence include:

 

  • Comparable sales and/or sales of the subject property
  • Contractor estimates of costs to repair building or land defects
  • Letters or documents from government agencies and/or experts regarding development limitations
  • Deeds describing easements that impact value
  • Independent appraisals
  • Photographs of features or conditions you believe diminish your property’s market value
  • Maps showing proximity to high traffic areas, access limitations, etc.

 

When gathering evidence and formulating arguments, it is important to keep in mind that, by law, the assessor is presumed to be correct. The burden of proof is on you to show that the assessor’s determination is incorrect. Evidence must be “clear, cogent, and convincing” (WAC 458-14-046(6)).

 

Matters unrelated to market value such as assessment comparisons of other properties, percentage of value increases, personal hardship, amount of tax, etc., cannot be considered. 

 


Members

The Yakima County Board of Equalization, consisting of 5 citizen volunteers, provides taxpayers with the opportunity to appeal property assessments. The current Board is made up of 5 members, who serve 3-year terms. Members should have some knowledge of property values, and may not be an elected official or employed by an elected official.

  • Arvel Hale
    • 12/31/2025
  • Jerry Mellen
    •  12/31/2027
  • Kristi Wilbert
    • 12/31/2025
  • Ricky Adams
    • 12/31/2026
  • Dave Cook
    • 12/31/2026

Responsibilities

The Yakima County Board of Equalization is an independent, quasi-judicial body organized to hear appeals of various determinations made by the assessor. It is comprised of five citizen members appointed by the Board of Yakima County Commissioners. The BOE's goal is to provide an impartial hearing environment that protects each party's due process rights and results in a fair decision. Established by RCW 84.48.


Appealing Your Property Assessment to the County Board of Equalization: READ THIS FIRST


Appeal Forms

Board of Equalization appeal forms may be obtained from the Clerk of the Board.
Request a form be mailed by contacting the Clerk at 509-574-1500. Voicemail is available 24/7. Leave your name, telephone number, and mailing address for forms to be mailed. Forms will be mailed the next business day. In addition, the form is available for download:


Filing Deadline

Appeals must be filed with the Board of Equalization within 60 days of the postmarked date of the Assessor's Notice of Value.

For additional information, please see the Washington State Department of Revenue Property Tax Information.

Mail completed forms and information to:

Board of Equalization 
128 N. 2nd Street, Room 232
Yakima, WA 98901

Hearing address:

Board of Equalization 
128 N. 2nd Street Room, 33B or Zoom
Yakima, WA 98901


Income & Expense Information


If your appeal is on a Commercial or Industrial property, you must submit at least 3 years of income and expense information along with your appeal. Both the Board of Equalization and the Assessor's Office realize the sensitivity of this information. Both RCW 84.08.210 and 84.40.020 protect the privacy of this information from disclosure or public inspection. You can be assured that this information will be held in strict confidence.


Property Tax Rates Differ


The amount of property tax due on comparable properties may be different throughout a county. Such differences can be due to multiple factors:

  • The various combinations of taxing districts in different areas of the county
  • The amount of the budget for each taxing district
  • The presence of voter-approved special levies and bonds
  • Possible exemptions on the properties
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