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Property Tax Relief Programs
Damaged
or Destroyed Property:
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.
Current
Use Programs:
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.
The
application must be made by December 31 for classification in
the following year. Contact Jan
Graham in the assessor’s office for more information
or application forms.
Improvements
to a Residence:
If you
improve your single family residence by remodeling; adding new
rooms, decks, patios or other improvements attached to your home,
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.
Send
your completed application to the Island County Assessor's office
before you begin. Contact Mary
Engle in the Assessor's Office for help with the exemption
on improvements to your residence.
Public Benefit Rating System:
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
Jeff Tate (360-679-7344),
the director of the Department of Planning and Community Development
for more information about applying for PBRS.
Senior
Citizen or Disability Exemption:
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 or disabled.
* 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.
Contact
Morrie Parker in
the Assessor's Office for assistance in filing for this exemption.
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