Senior Citizen/Disabled Persons Exemption

You may qualify for this program if:

• You are 61 by December 31st during the year the claim is filed, or are retired from gainful, regular employment due to a disability (proof of disability is required).

• You are 61 by December.

• You are the owner/buyer or have a life estate in the property, and it is your primary residence.

• Your combined gross income is less than $35,000.
   

The amount of exemption is based on your income and the assessed valuation of your property.


Tax Deferral Program

The deferral program postpones payment of your taxes or special assessment. On your behalf, the Department of Revenue pays the deferred taxes or special assessment to the county where you live. The amount of the postponed taxes and/or special assessment, plus eight-percent interest, becomes a lien in favor of the state, on your property, until the total amount is repaid. You may qualify if you are at least 60 years old or physically disabled with an annual income of $34,000 or less.

  For more information on these exemption programs contact:

Sheryl Crose, 360-875-9300 ext. 2207

Residential Improvement Exemption (new construction)

If you decide to improve your home, you may be eligible for a three-year property tax exemption on that improvement. Washington State law provides that the Assessor may grant an improvement exemption up to 30% of the current assessed value of your home.

At the end of the three-year exemption period, the value of your improvement will be added to the value of your home and the exemption will end.

Please keep in mind that the exemption applies only to new improvements. The assessed value of your home may increase, just as other property in the county increases during that three-year period.

Swimming pools, golf greens, fences, outbuildings and improvements which would not be common to, or normally recognized as components of a dwelling unit, are NOT eligible for exemption under this program.

The exemption cannot be granted on the same dwelling more than once in a five-year period, calculated from the date the exemption first affected the assessment roll. 

For more information on this exemption contact:

Sheryl Crose at 360-875-9300 ext. 2207
Becky Nissell at 360-875-9300 ext. 2210

Destroyed Property

Property Subject to Reduction and Who May Apply

Any real or personal property that has been placed upon the assessment roll as of January 1 of the assessment year in which the property was destroyed, in whole or in part, or is in an area that has been declared a disaster area by the Governor and has been reduced in value by more than 20 percent may apply. Either the Assessor may take action on his/her own authority or the taxpayer may file a claim. No relief shall be given to any person who is convicted of arson with regard to the property for which relief is sought.

For more information on this exemption contact:

Becky Nissell at 360-875-9300 ext. 2210