Kitsap County Assessor's Newsletter February 2024

2024 tax highlights:

Its February and that means that the office had a very busy January completing the 2024 property tax calculations and certifying them to the Treasurer’s Office so that they can get mailed out to Kitsap taxpayers by mid-month.

As was shared in our December newsletter, each taxing district has to provide their approved resolution authorizing the collection of property tax to the office in order for the Assessor to correctly calculate the rate via the total assessed value of the district.  This process has to be completed for each of the taxing districts in the county, of which there are currently 40.  The districts are the various cities, schools, fire, port, park, library, state and county. 

Elections that impact future property taxes:

Remember to Vote by February 13, 2024!

The Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Central Kitsap and North Kitsap School Districts are asking their voters to approve ballot measures at the February 13, 2024 Special Election that will affect property taxes to be collected in 2025 and beyond.  The ballot measures include enrichment and operation levies (Bainbridge Island, Bremerton and Central Kitsap), bonds (Bremerton and North Kitsap) and a technology levy (Bainbridge Island).

These are all excess levies which are imposed over and above regular property tax levies. Local schools only levy excess levies.  Regular property tax levies are imposed by districts such as the county, cities, fire districts, parks, ports, the library and the public utility district. Districts with regular levies may increase their budget each year by 1% without voter approval.  These districts may ask voters to approve an excess levy such as a bond, which if approved, would be in addition to their regular levy.

For more details on the February Special Election visit the Kitsap County Auditor's Elections webpage.

When are property taxes due?

Property taxes are due twice per year, with the first half being due by April 30^th and the second half due by October 31^st each year.  Did you know that the Treasurer’s Office offers a variety of ways to pay your property taxes?  If you are interested in learning more about payment options, please visit the Treasurer's website.

It's time for businesses to file their personal property listings: 

Personal property filing reminders and listings were sent out last month for businesses to report their equipment as of January 1, 2024.  This self-reported information is used to determine the assessed value on which property taxes will be based next year.   This annual filing is due by April 30^th each year.  Online filing is available for existing accounts and is the preferred method of filing.  If you have a business and do not have a personal property account, you may complete a listing for a new account and email the completed form to personal-property@kitsap.gov and an account will be set up right away so you may file online.  For additional information, the Department of Revenue provides a detailed publication on Personal Property Tax.

Did you know detailed property tax information is available in our Assessment Books?

After property tax calculations are done for the new year, the Assessor’s Office compiles the data into an annual Assessment Book.  This includes general property value and tax information, typical residential taxes, historical data, property tax collected for all districts in Kitsap County and much more.  The Assessment Book for taxes payable in 2024 has just been completed.  You may view this book as well as previous years on the Assessment Book webpage.