Whatcom County property taxes, values are up. Here’s what to know about your 2020 bill
Property taxes in Whatcom County have increased by 14.3% from 2018 to 2019, according to information from Whatcom County Assessor Rebecca Xczar. A total of $370,655,704 will be collected in 2020.
The county treasurer mails property tax bills in February for payments that must be paid and postmarked by April 30 and Oct. 31.
Here are five things to know about property taxes in Whatcom County:
▪ Washington generally uses a budget-based system to collect property taxes. Districts set a budget for the amount of money they need to collect. Your share of the overall tax money collected is based on your property’s value. In addition, for taxes due in 2018-2021, the Legislature approved a temporary fixed-rate funding strategy for public basic education.
▪ Each property in Whatcom County is revalued every year. Property is appraised in several ways, including sales of similar properties, structure replacement costs and income of business properties. An increase in value does not mean that next year’s property taxes will increase at a proportionate rate. Total assessed values of real property, new construction and personal property increased 10.4% from 2018 to 2019, or $35,560,406,229, according to values from the Whatcom County Assessor’s annual tax books.
▪ Whatcom County properties are in an average of nine to 11 taxing districts. Tax bills list each district you pay. The assessor’s website lists what each collects.
▪ Regular districts, including the county, cities, port and fire district, can increase the property tax budget 1% each year. The amount can also increase to include the value of new property. If a taxing district does not increase taxes by 1% in a year, it can “bank” that increase and take it later. If a district did not increase taxes for five years, “banking” them, it could then increase taxes by 5% in one year. Voters may also approve an increase beyond the 1% for an established district, such as Greenways, or create a new district, such as EMS, that will require taxes. Special districts, such as schools, and special-purpose bonds must ask voters to approve the total amount to collect for a period of time.
▪ Be sure to mail your payments several days in advance, as local mail goes to Seattle before being returned to county offices. Information about your statement is online at whatcomcounty.us/Treasurer. Select “payment center” then “tax statement information.” You can also pay by phone at 855-461-9815, but other fees apply.
