COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — Kootenai County property owners who are unsatisfied with their 2022 value assessments have just a few weeks to appeal, as reported by our news partner, the Coeur d'Alene Press.
Property values have reportedly skyrocketed in Kootenai County, where some residential property owners have learned that the assessed values of their homes has increased by hundreds of thousands of dollars in one year.
The total market value established by the assessor must be within 90% to 110% of the property's fair market value, based on property sales information.
If property values jump significantly in a single year, according to the Assessor’s Office website, it could be because a physical inspection revealed significant improvements or because the property is located in a “hot market” with higher sales data.
Before filing an appeal, property owners should first consider why they believe the value on the property is wrong.
For example, does the property have some quality that would make its value significantly lower than others in the neighborhood?
Conversely, does the property have improvements — such as a shop, landscaping or paving — that might increase its value above others?
Do the valuations of the property and any improvements to the property seem reasonable based on market sales in the neighborhood?
Property owners can first contact the Assessor’s Office and speak with an appraiser.
To reach the Assessor’s Office, call 208-446-1500 or email kcassr@kcgov.us.
If an error occurred — for example, if the property is bigger or smaller than indicated in the assessment — it may not be necessary to file an appeal at all.
Those who are still unsatisfied with the assessed value can file a formal appeal.
The forms to appeal a property assessment are available here.
They can also be picked up in person at 451 N. Government Way in Coeur d’Alene.
Submit the appeal form, a copy of the assessment notice and any evidence supporting a different value to the Kootenai County Commissioners’ Office.
Appeal forms must be received by the Board of County Commissioners no later than 5 p.m. Monday, June 27.
Submissions may be mailed to P.O. Box 9000, Coeur d’Alene, or delivered in person to 451 N. Government Way.
Property owners will then be scheduled to appear before the Board of Equalization, which is comprised of the county commissioners.
Assessment appeal hearings are currently scheduled on the county’s calendar on each weekday between June 28 and July 11.
Value appeal hearings are “quasi-judicial.” That means the property owner must provide evidence the assessed value is incorrect.
Evidence could include documentation showing comparable properties in the same neighborhood have sold for less or more than the assessment in the current year. Sales occurring after Jan. 1 of the current year are not admissible.
A decision by the Board of Equalization is further appealable to the State Board of Tax Appeals.
In tax years 2019, 2020 and 2021, the State Board of Tax Appeals considered four appeals from Kootenai County residential property owners. The Kootenai County BOE’s decision was affirmed in three of four cases.
For more information, visit www.bta.idaho.gov.
Questions about your assessment?
Call the Kootenai County Assessor’s Office at 208-446-1500 or email kcassr@kcgov.us.
The forms to appeal your 2022 property value assessment are available at www.kcgov.us/529/Property-Assessment-Appeal or in person at 451 N. Government Way in Coeur d’Alene.
Appeal forms must be received by the Board of County Commissioners no later than 5 p.m. Monday, June 27.
Submissions may be mailed to P.O. Box 9000, Coeur d’Alene, or delivered in person to 451 N. Government Way.
The Coeur d'Alene Press is a KREM 2 news partner. For more from our partners, click here.