Property owners in King County – and across the state – are expected to see a major property tax increase, with an average 17 percent increase in the county.
Even renters could see increases if additional costs are passed to them.
Here’s how to find your 2018 property tax costs in King County. Updates are expected to be posted by Thursday, February 15.
Step 1: Go to the King County Parcel Viewer and search for an address
Search with an address or zoom in to select a specific property on the map. For this example, we’ll use the Space Needle, which has always been privately owned. The address for the Space Needle, Seattle's best known landmark, is 400 Broad Street.
When you select a specific property on the map, click on the link for Property Report. That will open a new window.
Step 2: When you click on the property, select Property Report to find your Real Property Tax number
In the new window, look for the Property Tax Bill box in the bar above the parcel section. When you click on that, it will open a new window and automatically generate your real property tax number in the search box.
If you need to find your real property tax number again, it’s the Parcel Number on the previous page.
Step 3: Find your 2018 tax information
Your parcel number should show up as the real property tax account number in the middle search section for Real Property Tax.
Click the search button.
That should bring up your 2018 property tax information after Feb. 15, 2018. It also lists property tax amounts for previous years.
If you have questions, you can call King County's property tax information line at 206-263-2890. The customer service line is staffed from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. You also can follow this form to send an online message.
How much higher will property taxes be this year?
In King County, the average increase is nearly 17 percent – and possibly even higher if your property received a new assessment notice. Residents in the city of Carnation are expected to see a property tax bill more than 30 percent higher.
An example with the 17-percent increase: If your previous total property tax bill was $5,000, the new total would be $5,850.
If your property was assessed at a higher value than in previous years – meaning that you could see an even higher amount in addition to the expected increase – you would have received a notice in the mail in 2017.
Will I get a bill?
If your home lender setup an escrow account, you’ll pay the additional amount as part of your monthly mortgage payment.
If you pay your property taxes separate from a monthly escrow payment, you’ll receive the bill in the mail from King County.
Why are property taxes higher?
[ Follow this link to see an video explanation from KIRO 7’s Gary Horcher. ]
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