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Property Tax Relief Programs
If your property
is damaged or destroyed, you may be eligible for reduced assessed
value for taxes payable in the following year. Application forms
are available from the Assessor’s Office.
If you
have agricultural, open space or timber lands, you may apply to
classify your land under the Current Use/Open Space program. A
current use assessment generally means a reduced assessed value
for the duration of the classification. There will be a compensating
tax due for removal from the classification. Contact the assessor’s
office for information and application forms. The application
must be made by December 31 for classification in the following
year.
If you
improve your single family residence by remodeling; adding new
rooms, decks, patios or other improvements, you may apply for
a three-year exemption from taxes on the value of the physical
improvement. Physical improvements do not include normal maintenance
items. An application for the exemption must be filed with the
assessor prior to completion of the project.
If your property has amenity features which could possibly be
enjoyed by the public, i.e. a trail or view, it may qualify for
inclusion in the Public Benefit Rating System (PBRS). The program
offers reduction in value for tax assessment in exchange for allowing
public enjoyment of the amenity. This program is administered
by the Department of Planning and Community Development. Contact
that department for information on PBRS.
If you
are a senior citizen or disabled person, you may qualify for property
tax relief. To be eligible for the Property Tax Exemption program,
you must:
* Be age 61 or older on December 31 of the filing year (no age
requirement for disabled persons.)
* The owner and occupant of a single family dwelling, mobile home,
or one unit in a condominium or cooperative.
* Have combined disposable income of $35,000 or less for the prior
year (including income of spouse and co-tenant).
* File a claim with the county assessor between January 2 and
December 31.
Your
household income determines the amount of exemption from regular
property taxes or excess levies.
If you
are a senior citizen or disabled person whose income is below
$40,000, you may defer property taxes and special assessments
on up to 80 percent of the equity in your home. Unlike the senior
citizens and disabled persons exemption program, deferred taxes
are a lien on the property. This lien becomes payable, together
with interest, upon sale, transfer or inheritance of the property.
In
2004, the Island County Assessor’s Office assessed 53,922
parcels of real and personal properties.
1,402
of those parcels received Senior Citizen and Disabled Citizen
exemptions.
We had
2,144 parcels in Current Use Programs.
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