News

It’s Easier to Receive a Property Tax Reduction Now

February 7, 2020
hand placing coins in stacks in front of small house figurine

For many years, Washington state has provided a property tax reduction to older adults and veterans with disabilities to make it easier for those on fixed incomes to remain in their homes. Unfortunately, due to rapidly rising home values and property taxes, these programs didn’t help enough of our neighbors. That’s why regional leaders and groups like the AARP Washington asked state leaders for help, and in 2019 they responded.

The legislature has raised the income threshold for the property tax exemption program, making tens of thousands more people eligible for help. In King County, if you are 61 years or older, own your home, and have an annual income of $58,423 or less (after certain medical or long-term care expenses), you may be eligible.

Property tax portal

The King County Assessor’s new Tax Relief portal is now live! Homeowners can get easy instructions about applying for a property tax exemption and apply online.

Our brand-new Property Tax Relief portal is now live at taxrelief.kingcounty.gov. You can watch informative videos and read qualification and application details on this site. Click on “Documents you’ll need” for a handy checklist. To apply online, click on “Sign in to apply.” For more information, e-mail Exemptions.Assessments@kingcounty.gov or call the King County Assessor’s office at 206-296-3920. A booklet is also available (click here). Editor’s note: Most AgeWise readers live in King County. If you are a homeowner in a different county in Washington state, you’ll find information online by searching your county name and “property tax exemption.”

We want to help everyone apply who is eligible because King County should be a place everyone can call home!

Contributor John Wilson was elected King County Assessor in 2015 and elected to a second term in 2019.

This article originally appeared in the February 2020 issue of AgeWise King County.