Now that you've wrestled with your income taxes (and/or your tax accountant) for the season, it's time to think about that other big, looming and unavoidable bill.

On April 30th, your quarterly Property Taxes are due.

If you own land or a home here in Federal Way or anywhere else in the nation, you are privileged enough to receive that ungainly bill from the gov'mint.

I built the house I live in and it's not overly fancy or mansion-like, but I am becoming afraid of how much it costs to live in here.

I don't have a problem with taxation if it's fair. I like driving on maintained roads, having good teachers and schooling for students and it's nice to know that I can call 911 and have somebody pick up on the other end.

But every year when that envelope from Finance and Business Operations Division lands on the kitchen counter, I cringe and try to find reasons to avoid opening it.

Why should we fear a simple bill like this?

Because, while the taxing of personal abodes is a practice that has been going on since Roman times, just like the days of Caesar, those practices have been fraught with unfairness and inaccuracies.

The way governments determine what and how much to tax is amazingly complicated.

Especially if you feel you have been taxed unfairly or, for some unusual circumstance, the government actually owes you a refund.

It's sort of like insurance companies and any State Lottery. They're in the business to make money, not lose it.

Take the list of "current billing distribution" on my own bill for instance.

There is the standard State tax, ($783) then there's the local school support $(1410), followed by county tax ($434) and the all important road improvement tax ($588). Then the tax gods lump in port, fire, sewer and water ($168), which seems like a pretty good value. But there are "other charges" ($122) which are explained as "NOX WEED and SWM and SOIL CON."

I understand that noxious weed and surface water management are serious issues, but soil conservation?

When was the last time you saw a county truck out there conserving the soil?

The King County Surface Water Management webpage says that $19 million dollars was collected in 2005 for surface water management.

That seems like a lot of green for cleaning out a few drains. I'm being a little facetious here, but it's still a serious amount of money.

According to the website, Domainia.com, currently in King County there are over 24,000 personal residences in foreclosure, preforclosure or are being auctioned off due to bankruptcy or tax lien costs.

According to the website for the Washington State Attorney General, simple foreclosures in Washington increased significantly last year, claiming 18,527 homes - or one in every 129.

Some people elect to have their property taxes lumped in with their mortgage, and when this is combined with an adjusted rate plan, rising valuations can literally drive you out of your home if you're not fully prepared.

Property tax in general is the largest source of funding for local services, helping to pay for public schools, city streets, county roads, police, fire protection and lots of other services.

They are based on comparable, monetary value of your home or land. Property taxes are local taxes. Your local officials establish a value for your property, set tax rates and collect your taxes. State law, however, governs the process.

The City of Federal Way currently collects a 6 percent utility tax on electric, gas, cable, phone, surface water, and garbage services.

The amount of taxes paid by an average household is around $240 per year, or $20 per month. Out of 39 King County cities, Federal Way ranks 33rd in per capita tax revenue, which seems ok.

But if we as taxpayers don't monitor our governing bodies like watchdogs, misappropriations and greed can run rampant.

So what recourse do us taxpayers have in the face of runaway taxation?

If you believe your tax bill is unlawful or excessive and you want a refund you must, at the time you pay the tax, provide a separate written statement (1) saying that you are paying the tax or a portion thereof under protest, and (2) stating all of the reasons why you believe the tax paid under protest is unlawful or excessive

Extensions cannot be granted due to hardship or any other extenuating circumstance.

If you are a senior citizen and/or are struggling with poverty-level income, or if your property is damaged or destroyed, you might be eligible for a reduction in your assessed-value and taxes. For details call the Department of Assessments at (206) 296-5151.

If you feel a mistake has been made in valuing your property, contact the Department of Assessments at (206) 296-7300. You may also file a valuation appeal by contacting the King County Board of Equalization at (206) 296-3496.

Lastly, you can look up your property's assessed value online, using the Property Information System. For further information, contact the Department of Assessments by calling (206) 296-7300 or visiting their website at http://www.metrokc.gov/assessor/.