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The Washington Legislature is considering two bills that would
make it easier for property owners to dispute overstated tax
assessments.
Currently, Washington law presumes the value
assigned by the assessor is correct and requires taxpayers to
present "clear, cogent, and convincing evidence" to the
contrary. The proposed legislation requires the state to adopt a
more common "preponderance-of-evidence" standard.
HB 2977 and
SB 6517 address what supporters say is one of the highest
burden-of-proof standards in the nation.
House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler told the
Seattle Post Intelligencer, "This just lowers the bar for
citizens who have to make their case if they think their
valuation is too high.”
The bills are supported by the Association of
Washington Business and opposed by the Washington State
Association of County Assessors.
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