The first half of property taxes — or an application for an extension of payment from eligible businesses — is due on April 30.
A new law allows businesses that can document a 25 percent reduction in revenue attributable to real property for 2020 compared to 2019 can apply for a extension of payment on 2021 real property taxes through Dec. 31. HB 1332 was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday.
Eligible taxpayers must complete and submit the form by April 30 to the Clallam County or Jefferson County treasurer’s office.
The request form is posted on the Department of Revenue website at extension requestform, said Teresa Marchi, Clallam County treasurer.
The form is titled 2021 Request For Real Property Tax due date Extension & Payment Agreement due to Revenue Loss.
Verification of the revenue loss could be subject to audit by the Department of Revenue, treasurers said.
If granting the extension results in any taxing jurisdiction being unable to make scheduled bond payments, then the county treasurer may need to deny the extensions under ESHB 1332, said Stacie Prada, Jefferson County treasurer.
Otherwise the first half of property tax payments are due April 30.
Mailed payments must be postmarked, put in a drop box, or paid online by that date to avoid penalty and interest charges. Mail dropped in a U.S. postal mailbox after the post office pick-up time may result in a postmark of May 1 and will be considered delinquent.
Taxpayers who would like a receipt should include their email address to have a receipt emailed to them, or they must include a self-addressed stamped envelope with their payment to receive a hard copy receipt mailed to them.
Delinquent payments will be subject to 1 percent interest on the full year amount. On June 1, an additional 1 percent interest and 3 percent penalty will be charged on the full year tax amount.
In Clallam County, the only drop-off location for payment by check is the light gray drop box specifically designated for property tax payments and other courthouse business within the circular drive at the county courthouse at 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
In Jefferson County, drop boxes are in the rear parking lot of the county courthouse at 1820 Jefferson St., in Port Townsend at all hours; and during business hours at the Port Townsend 1st Security Bank, Port Hadlock 1st Security Bank and Port Ludlow Sound Community Bank.
Payments also can be made at treasurer’s offices. The Clallam County office is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments can be made via phone for the Jefferson County treasurer’s office.
Most credit and debit cards are accepted, either at the counter or online at http://www.clallam.net/Treasurer or http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/337/Online-Property-Tax-Assessment-Payments or by phone. A convenience fee will be charged by the credit and/or debit card provider.
Electronic checks may be used to make payments.
For more information, check the treasurer’s offices websites or call 360-417-2344 in Clallam County and 360-385-9150 or email treasurer staff@co.jefferson.wa.us in Jefferson County.
