Tax statements are mailed
out in mid-February each year. Current year first half taxes
are due by April 30. Second half taxes are due by
October 31. If the tax amount is less than $50.00,
the entire amount is due April 30. If the due date
falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Holiday, then payment will
be accepted the next business day.
 
Paying Your Property Taxes
Please visit our Property Tax Payment Center
page to see the various ways we have set up for you to pay
your taxes.
Interest and Penalty
If the first half taxes are not paid by April 30, the
entire tax becomes delinquent. Interest and penalty on delinquent
first half taxes is calculated on the entire year's taxes. Second
half taxes become delinquent after October 31.
Interest is 1% per month on the full amount due
1st Half Penalty is 3% on amount unpaid on June 1
2nd Half Penalty is 8% on amount unpaid on December 1
Interest and penalty
rates are set by law (RCW 84.56.020). Payments made without
the appropriate interest and penalty will be returned with
an opportunity to pay without further cost by a certain date.
There is no "good cause" statute that allows the waiving of
interest and penalties except in the circumstance of the county
making an error when the tax account originated (the source
document for proof is the real estate tax affidavit), or in
case of hardship caused by death of the taxpayer´s spouse,
or taxpayer´s parent-owned property, if the Treasurer
is notified within sixty (60) days of the tax due date (copy
of death certificate required). (RCW 84.56.025)
When You Don't Have a Statement
Failure to receive a tax statement does not relieve you
of the responsibility for your tax payments. The fact that
you did not receive a statement is not grounds for a waiver
of interest and penalties. Contact
the Treasurer's Office for replacement statements or tax amounts
due.
Paying Taxes Under Protest
Taxpayers are required to take the following actions at
the time you pay the property tax in order to petition your
case with the Superior Court: (1) present a separate written
protest to the County Treasurer at the time of payment of
the tax; and (2) list in writing all the reasons why you feel
the tax is unlawful or unfair. You may also file a petition
contesting your valuation with the County Board of Equalization.
For additional information regarding appealing your property
valuation to the Board of Equalization, please see Appealing Your Property
Tax.
The County Treasurer cannot provide you with any form of legal
advice. The responsibilities of the Treasurer are limited to
accepting the petition and notifying the impacted taxing districts.
You may want to consult an attorney before submitting your letter of
protest. The law has very strict requirements and you may jeopardize
your case if the letter of protest is incomplete.
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