Thurston County bills more total property taxes in 2023. Here’s what affected your bill
Thurston County billed more property taxes in 2023 than in 2022, continuing a multi-year trend that is raising questions among some who are getting larger tax bills.
Treasurer Jeff Gadman said his office billed a total of $568.2 million in property taxes across all jurisdictions in the county this year. However, that number doesn’t include special government assessments.
The property tax total has been increasing each year. Gadman said his office billed $536.6 million in 2022, $502.2 million in 2021 and $476.9 million in 2020. So why the increase?
For that answer, you have to turn to the Assessor’s Office, which is responsible for valuing all real or personal property within the county. Last month, the Assessor’s Office released a property tax fact sheet and levy data for 2023.
You also have to consider what amounts local and state governments are levying to support their programs.
How did property values increase in 2023?
The county’s total taxable property value increased about 26.7% from about $47.3 billion in the 2021 assessment year to $59.9 billion in 2022, according to the Assessor’s Office. They attributed this increase to a mix of new construction and rising property prices.
So, property values are to blame for increased property taxes?
Partly. Property taxes also are affected by levies, legislative action and taxing district budgets.
However, the Assessor’s Office notes the average levy rate countywide decreased from $11.35 per $1,000 of assessed property value in the 2022 tax year to $9.5 in 2023. But with the rising property values (tax rates x property values = bills), the total tax bill still was up.
What caused property taxes to increase aside from property values?
The county’s total property tax bill increased by over $32 million in 2023. The Assessor’s Office lists multiple reasons for this increase.
First, voters have approved various levies in recent years. For example, voters passed a six-year permanent levy lid lift for Medic One in 2021. Other levies have benefited various school and fire districts.
Second, local governments, school districts and taxing districts have increased their budgets by raising their regular levies. They can legally do this annually by either 1% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.
Third, multiple taxing districts used banked capacity to set their levies for the 2023 tax year. This means they opted not to levy the full amount of tax permitted by law in previous years, which allows them to use those amounts to increase it for this year.
Fourth, new construction in the 2022 assessment year totaled $855 million, which was about $126 million more than the total from 2021. That offsets the burden on existing property owners.
Lastly, the Assessor’s Office cited legislative action from the past several years for the increase in property taxes.
What can cause property tax increases to vary by individual?
The Assessor’s Office says an individual property owner may get a higher tax bill if the value of their property rises more or declines less than other nearby properties.
Additionally, an individual might get a higher tax bill if there’s new construction on a vacant lot. A property that previously received an exemption also may become fully taxable if it’s sold. Exemptions may be given to seniors and disabled persons, for example.
How can property taxes decrease?
The Assessor’s Office says property tax decreases may occur if taxing districts choose to request less money from taxpayers or voters reject excess levies.
Taxes also may fall if assessed values decrease and the taxing district has already set the maximum levy rate allowed by law.
In other cases, property values in one area can increase less rapidly than other areas. An individual’s property also may see a lower bill if their property value decrease is greater than other nearby properties.
Some people may qualify for property tax exemption programs.
Lastly, legislative action may decrease levies or limit their increase.
Can I protest my tax bill?
Property owners have to pay their tax bills even if they don’t agree with them. However, the Treasurer’s Office says owners can preserve their legal right to seek a refund by submitting a separate written statement with their payment.
This statement should indicate the owner is paying under protest and outline all the reasons why they believe the tax is unlawful or excessive.
The Treasurer’s Office won’t respond to this statement. Instead, the taxpayer must go through an appeal process that’s handled by the Thurston County Board of Equalization, a quasi-judicial board comprised of three citizen members.
How can I see where my tax money is going?
The public can visit a Thurston County website called “My Property Tax Distribution.” By inputting an address in the search box, anyone can see how their property taxes are distributed to taxing districts.
This website also shows the amount of money all taxing districts have billed in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Where can I get more information about property taxes and values?
Taxpayers with questions about their bill can visit the Treasurer’s Office at 3000 Pacific Ave. SE or call 360-786-5550. The office is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Those with questions about their property assessment can visit the Assessor’s Office at the same location or call 360-867-2200.
The Treasurer’s Office and Assessor’s Office also have answers to more frequently asked questions on their websites.
