Property Tax Exemption for the Elderly, Disabled or Veterans

State

Washington

Year

2016

Variations in Receipt of Benefit

Benefit Varies with Income

Benefit Type

Circuit Breaker

Benefit

The benefit is an exemption of valuation from regular property tax based on income. Those with income less than $30,000 are exempt from regular property taxes on the greater of $60,000 or 60% of the value of their residence Those with disposable income between $30,000 and $35,000 the exemption is the taxes on the greater of $50,000 or 35% of the value, not to exceed $70,000. Property values are frozen as the 1 January 1995 or 1 January of the initial application year, whichever is later.

How is Benefit Disbursed

Exemption from assessed value

Eligible Property Type

Residential

Characteristics of Eligible Property

Eligibility is limited to the applicant's place of residence.

Eligibility Criteria

Age

Disability

Homeowner

Income Ceiling

Principal Residence

Veteran

Surviving Spouse

Description of Eligibility Criteria

Claimant must be 61 years or older, retired from gainful employment due to disability, or a veteran with 100% service connected disability. Claimant can not have an income exceeding $40,000. A surviving spouse or domestic partner of someone who had the exemption is eligible if 57 or older and meet the other criteria.

Local Option in Adoption of Program

Local government is unable to exercise an option

Local Option Regarding Program Features

No local option regarding program features

State Funding for Local Tax Loss

Local government covers all of its tax loss

Record ID

WA101_RR16

Footnotes

Effective October 9, 2015, the combined disposable incomes for claimants in 2016 and subsequent collection years are increased by $5,000. This was enacted in 2015 Wash. 3rd Sp. Sess. Laws ch. 30 § 2 (SSB 5186). Regular property tax is the property tax levied by or for a taxing district which is subject to the aggregate tax limitations.

Sources

Wash. Rev. Code § 84.36.379 ~ 84.36.381 (1-5); Wash. Rev. Code 84.04.140 (in effect for 2016)
Source Constitution: 
Const. of the State of Wash. Article VII §10
2015 Wash. 3rd Sp. Sess. Laws ch. 30 § 2

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