PORT TOWNSEND — This year’s property reassessments in the Brinnon and Quilcene school districts have some property owners shocked at the 40 percent average increase since the last time the properties were reassessed four years ago.
It’s too late to appeal property evaluations sent out Aug. 1 to the three-member Board of Equalization for this year, although appeals can be filed for next year.
Property owners have one month from the date valuation change notices were sent out to appeal.
But Jefferson County Assessor Jack Westerman said there are still options for cutting tax payments through a variety of programs.
Residents 61 years or older or those who are disabled can apply for the senior citizen and disabled person property tax exemption program.
To qualify, annual income must not exceed $35,000.
If accepted into the program, the property value freezes as of Jan. 1 of the first year in the program and remains frozen as long as the individual qualifies.
If income is between $0 and $25,000 annually, the property owner is exempt from regular property taxes on up to $60,000 or 60 percent of the frozen value, whichever is greater, plus all additional tax levies, called excess levies.
If annual income is between $25,001 and $30,000, the property owner is exempt from regular property taxes on up to $50,000 or 35 percent of the frozen value, whichever is greater, not to exceed $70,000, plus all excess levies.
If the annual income is between $30,001 and $35,000, the property owner is exempt from all excess tax levies.
“It’s really a sweet deal, if you qualify,” Westerman said of the exempt program.
Veterans with 100 percent service-connected disabilities qualify for the program.
