Statement from Kitsap County Treasurer Meredith Green regarding property tax payments

To respond to the economic impacts stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, Kitsap County Treasurer Meredith Green encourages property owners who are financially able to pay first half or full year property taxes early to fund essential services needed now and in the months to come. Your property taxes fund essential services in state and local government, including cities, counties, public health, schools, fire districts, ports, hospital and other districts.

Property tax payments that occur twice yearly fund state and local governments. Unlike the federal government which can print money and withholds taxes throughout the year, property taxes are the primary source of cash flow for our local governments. Without the cash flow from property taxes, some districts might be unable to meet their expense or debt obligations, which would also impact bond ratings.

Treasurer Green states, “We recognize that many families and businesses are struggling to make ends meet during the economic crisis from the COVID-19 pandemic. Some are asking what kind of assistance programs are available if taxpayers need help paying the real and personal property taxes due on April 30. The due date for the first half property taxes remains April 30 and we have been assured by mortgage escrow companies that they will pay the first half taxes by then. Kitsap County will temporarily extend the property tax deadline for residential and commercial taxpayers to May 31, 2020. The extension shall not apply to prior year delinquent taxes or intermediaries, including mortgage loan servicing companies. If taxpayers anticipate being unable to make their payment by May 31, please contact our office after April 13 at treasurer@co.kitsap.wa.us when we may have a return to normal staffing in the office and have a payment plan program developed.”

To reduce the risk of virus transmission, Treasurer Green encourages electronic payments. A temporary reduction in the e-check fee to $0.50 has been negotiated, which is less than the cost of a stamp. Please keep our employees safe so that we may continue to serve you.

The County Treasurer serves as the bank of Kitsap County and the junior taxing districts and is considered an essential service. The office is closed to the public until further notice, although taxpayers may continue to transact business through the website, email, mail or phone calls. A skeleton crew is working in the office and other employees are working remotely.

Assessor Phil Cook has extended the deadline for filing Business Personal Property affidavits (for equipment used in businesses) from April 30 to May 31. Assessor Cook states “We realized that businesses may need to be focusing on higher priority issues and want to accommodate that need. If you need to contact us, please email us at assessor@co.kitsap.wa.us since staff in the Assessor’s office are working remotely.”