Stanwood-Camano School District
Learn about our replacement levy on the Feb. 13 ballot
![Stanwood-Camano School District Learn about our replacement levy on the Feb. 13 ballot](https://cdn.smore.com/u/thumbs/1e81/thumb-eda2019e9429b1144af8e22c088b4e8f.jpeg)
We want everyone to know about important recent changes to tax exemption programs for senior citizens and disabled persons. These programs can reduce property tax bills, including for our school levy.
Last year, the state Legislature — with overwhelming bipartisan support — increased the income threshold for seniors and people with disabilities to qualify for a property tax exemption.
It had been a number of years since the state’s property tax relief programs had been modified, and now more people — whether they know it or not — qualify for tax breaks.
Here’s what you need to know:
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? — Homeowners can get a break on their property taxes if they are at least 61 years old, unable to work because of a disability, or meet one of several other qualifications.
INCOME LEVEL — Applicants also must make less than their county’s income limit for the program. In Snohomish County, that new limit as of Jan. 1 is $75,000. In Island County, the limit is $54,000.
DEDUCTIONS — The bill also increased the number of deductions — such as qualifying medical expenses — that can help lower a person’s income to meet the county’s threshold.
FREEZES HOME VALUE — For homeowners who qualify, the county freezes their property value and exempts them from certain levies, such as the school levy. For example, a Camano Island homeowner who qualified for an exemption 10 years ago for a $200,000 house may have a house worth $500,000. But as long as the person qualifies for the exemption, the taxable value of the property remains frozen at $200,000.
HOW TO APPLY — People can contact their county Assessor’s Office, who will help with the application process every step of the way. Typically, a homeowner simply needs their previous year’s tax return to get started.
A property tax exemption renews automatically for up to three years following your initial application, and new applicants are eligible for rebates if they would have qualified during the past three years.
Legislators have said the program is important to allow people with fixed incomes more stability in an era of rapidly increasing property values. They said they want to create opportunities for relief because Social Security checks, retirement accounts, and other funding streams don’t necessarily grow at the same rate as housing values.
More information:
Snohomish County Assessor's Office — call 425-388-3433, email contact.assessor@co.snohomish.wa.us, or visit their website
Island County Assessor's Office — call 360-679-7303, email assessoremail@islandcountywa.gov, or visit their website
In next week’s levy update, we’ll share ballot drop-box location and mail-in ballot information.
Find last week's levy update HERE.