Release Date: February 14, 2023

2023 Property Taxes

Aggregate King County property values increased by 21.8% in 2022, rising from $722.5 billion to $879.9 billion, but since we operate under a "budget based" property tax revenue system here in Washington State, property taxes were up, but nowhere near 21.8 percent. Aggregate property taxes in King County for 2023 rose by 6.4% or nearly $436 million, going from $6.6 billion to $7.2 billion largely due to voted measures.

The property taxes that you pay in the present year are based on the value of your property in the previous year. So, for example, your 2023 property tax bill is based on your 2022 property valuation. And your annual valuation, by state law, is calculated to be the value as of January 1 for that value year. In other words, in February 2023, you will receive a property tax bill for the value of your property as of January 1, 2022. (July 31, 2022 for remodels or new structures)

The difference between the property value increase and the property tax increase is related to how the property tax system works in Washington State. The property tax system here is often referred to as “budget based” because the mill or levy rate adjusts to property value changes so only the amount of revenue requested by the taxing districts is generated (the mill rate goes down when values go up, and up when values go down). And in Washington State, the amount of revenue taxing districts, like cities, and school and fire districts, for example, can collect from year to year can only go up by one percent unless voters approve more.

This is why voter-approved levies, and not the value of your property, is usually the primary cause of increased property taxes. Voter-approved levies are not subject to that one-percent-growth restriction. Here are a couple of examples of the budget-based phenomena in 2023:

• The highest property value increase in 2022 occurred in Sammamish where the median home value increased by 51.2%. Because of the “budget based” system, the property tax increase for 2023 payments in Sammamish is 24.0%. To accomplish this, the levy rate for Sammamish decreased by -18%, or -$1.72935 per $1,000 of property value.
• The lowest property tax increase for 2023 is in the City of Tukwila with a 1.3% increase. The median home value in Tukwila increased 16.7% in 2022, so the levy rate for this area saw a decrease of -13.2% or -$1.59891 per $1,000 of property value.

• King County: KC voters approved a Conservation Futures 1-year permanent lid lift to a maximum rate of $0.06250/$1,000, for the acquisition and preservation of urban green spaces, natural areas, wildlife and salmon habitat, trails, river corridors, farmlands and forests. Qualifying Seniors/disabled taxpayers are exempt from this lid lift.
• Cities: Voters in the following cities approved the following property tax measures.
  City of Bellevue: 9-year temporary lid lift for Open Space/Parks. Qualifying Seniors/disabled taxpayers are exempt from this lid lift.
  City of Mercer Island: 16-year temporary lid lift for Parks Maintenance & Operations. Qualifying Seniors/disabled taxpayers are exempt from this lid lift.
  City of Normandy Park: 6-year temporary lid lift for City Services/Police.
  City of Shoreline: 6-year permanent lid lift for Police & Neighborhood Services. Qualifying Seniors/disabled taxpayers are exempt from lid lift.
  
• Fire Districts: Voters in the following fire districts approved various measures. FD 28 6-year permanent lid lift restoration to $1.50/$1,000, 6% limit factor in years 2-6.
  FD 34 6-year permanent lid lift to $1.25/$1,000, 6% limit factor in years 2-6.
  FD 44 6-year permanent levy lid lift to $1.50/$1,000, CPI-W limit factor in years 2-6.
  
• Si View Metropolitan Park: 30 year General Obligation Bond – Aquatic Center
• School Districts: The following School measures were passed in 2022.

Assessor eReal Property Search

Contact us
General Info: 206-296-7300
TTY: 1-800-833-6388
Senior Exemptions: 206.296.3920
Email: assessor.info@kingcounty.gov

King County Tax Advisor

Contact us
Telephone: 206-477-1060
Toll Free: 1-800-325-6165 ext. 7-1060
TTY Relay: 711
Fax: 206-296-0948
Email: taxadvisor@kingcounty.gov

Pay your property taxes

Contact us
Property Tax Hotline: 206-263-2890
Foreclosure: 206-263-2649
Email: PropertyTax.CustomerService
@kingcounty.gov
King Street Center 201 S. Jackson St, Suite 710, Seattle, WA 98104

How King County's revenue falls behind even as property taxes go up

2022 Area Reports: The King County Department of Assessments annually revalues 700,000 parcels.

Area Reports are provided between June and October. The following files are in .PDF format, and are all roughly 250 KB to 3,000 KB in size. You will need a copy of PDF reader to view these files. For more information visit Software help.

KEY DATES 2023

• May 1st First half of property taxes due
  (If taxes are less than $50, full payment is due.)
• May 1st Personal property listing forms due
• June 1 Three percent penalty assessed on delinquent taxes
• July 1 Appeals to the County Board of Equalization must be filed by July 1 or within
  60 days of notification.
• Sept. 1 Applications for limited income
  deferrals due
• Oct. 31 Second half of property taxes due
• Dec. 1 Eight percent penalty assessed on delinquent taxes

KEY LINKS

• Senior Exemption Portal - Online filing for tax relief

eReal Property - View parcel characteristics, values and sale history

eSales - Search sales for comparison

eListing - File Personal Property Listing Online