Hi Mustachians, I'd love to hear your thoughts and advice on a moral quandary regarding taxes.
I bought my house in Seattle in 2012. At the time, the assessed value was very low. Based on the sale, the assessment increased dramatically the following year but it is still well below the market value of the home. I appealed the assessment, however, because the assessor increased the condition of the home to "very good" (the best category, pristine condition) from "good" (no obvious repairs needed) based on the listing photos. The home is quite nice, but the condition -- based on the definitions provided by the assessor -- is actually "average" because it requires a number of minor repairs (rotting front porch, cracked and crumbling plaster walls, broken siding, etc.). So, I think I have a pretty good argument for the appeal that the condition of the house is listed incorrectly. I also don't want the assessment to continue to go up even higher as I make some of these repairs.
I don't feel "right" pushing this appeal too hard, however. Washington State does not have an income tax and, while I like to save money, I generally believe that tax revenue is important to keep things running smoothly. The state and the City are constantly in budget crises and property taxes are the only revenue available to provide many of the services that I depend on (roads to ride my bike on, for example, and new bike lanes, and decent public schools). The best I can do with the appeal is probably around $500/year -- not peanuts, but also not extraordinary in the big scheme of my mustachian lifestyle.
What would you do in this situation? Should I push the appeal?
Thanks!