King County, homeowners pay an average property tax rate of 0.88%, less than the national average of 1.1% and the state average of 0.9%, costing the average homeowner $3,572 per year.

Property taxes are an unavoidable expense when you own a home, and with tax rates varying year after year and from one county to the next, it’s difficult to figure out precisely what you’ll end up owing.

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Property tax 101

Local governments and school districts need revenues from property taxes to fund all the essential services and public works they provide, including police, fire, public works, libraries, and other vital services.

To raise these revenues, counties tax “real property”—plots of land owned by taxpayers—and the homes or structures built on that land.

The values of properties are calculated by a local tax assessor, who figures out how much your home is worth as far as taxation is concerned. This is weighed against county property taxes—0.88% in King County—to figure out how much you’ll owe in property taxes.

MORE: Is car insurance tax deductible?

What is the property tax rate in King County?

King County has an average tax rate of 0.88% of a property’s assessed value. That’s less than Washington’s statewide average of 0.92% and the national average of 1.1%. Homeowners here pay an average of $3,572 per year in property taxes.

How King County property taxes are determined

Before taxes can be set, King County has to figure out how much revenue it needs to raise. This involves looking at the budgets of every government and school district in King County—so-called “taxing entities”—to figure out how much revenue is needed.

Next, each property needs to be

assessed by the King County Assessor

, who will look at the property as if it were vacant as per Washington State laws. They look at the value of the land and improvements, including homes and other structures, to calculate the total taxable value of the property.

King County’s assessors physically inspect each property in the county once every six years and update their appraisals. That means your home’s taxable value will change every six years as well.

That total value is measured against county property taxes. So if you own a $400,000 home, you’d be left with a $3,520 tax bill.

What do King County property taxes pay for?

Like most other counties throughout the United States, King County uses property tax revenue to pay for essential local services, including:

Public schools, libraries, and adult education programs

Emergency services (police, fire, and medical services)

City streets and county roads

Public works, including sewers and building safety

Playgrounds

Public transportation

Public housing

Museums

How to pay property taxes in King County

Property taxes in King County are due twice yearly, with the first half of the yearly total due May 2nd and the second half due October 31st. These dates mildly fluctuate year after year, so be sure to check in with

the King County property tax FAQ

for details.

There are several methods to pay property taxes in King County, including the following:

Online, through one of two websites:

this site

if you have your tax account or parcel number, or

here

if you do not.

By mail. You’ll need to pay by check, and they don’t accept any other form of payment. Mail your check payable to King County Treasury and send it to: King County Treasury, King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St., Suite 710 Seattle, Washington 98104.

Pay through your mortgage company. Call your mortgage lender directly for advice on how to do this.

Unfortunately, you cannot make payments in person or over the phone due to the ongoing pandemic, but keep an eye on that aforementioned FAQ for policy changes as COVID restrictions continue getting lifted.

MORE:

Washington car insurance laws

How to save money on homeowners and car insurance in Washington

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How do you appeal King County property taxes?

To appeal King County property taxes, you first need to appeal your assessed property value.

Here’s a guide from King County

explaining the appeals process and the evidence you’ll want to gather for your appeal. You should

contact the King County assessor

if you believe a factual error has been made.

If you believe your property taxes are excessive or unlawful, you can seek a refund in court if you follow state laws. You’ll need to pay your taxes, but include a separate written statement explaining that you are paying the tax under protest and then explaining the reasons why you believe that taxation is unlawful or excessive.

When are property taxes due in King County?

Property taxes in King County are split up into two halves, with the first due in late April or early May and the second half due in late October or early November. In 2022, these dates are May 2nd and October 31st, respectively.

Are property taxes high in King County?

King County has impressively low property tax rates. The national average property tax rate is 1.1%. The average in Washington State is 0.92%. But King County residents enjoy a low 0.88 % property tax rate.

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