County Assessor's Manual September 2021 County Assessor's Reference Manual for Washington State FOREWORD The county assessor is responsible for determining the true and fair value of locally assessed properties, real and personal. The wellbeing of local government and of the taxpayers it serves depends on the thoroughness and fairness of the assessor. Responsibilities of the assessor are many, varied, and changing. Newly elected or appointed officials and staff may require assistance in learning and mastering the myriad concepts, terms, laws, rules, policies, and procedures that apply. Even experienced assessors need occasional reference material. The Washington State Association of County Assessors (WSACA) was appointed and assigned the duty of developing a manual for the office of County Assessor. This manual, which was originally approved by WSACA, is maintained and periodically updated by the Property Tax Division of the Department of Revenue (DOR). It serves as a reference guide for assessors and is intended for practical use. For General Information pertinent to laws or rules relating to the duties of the assessor, refer to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), and Property Tax Advisories (PTA). If Specific Information is Necessary relative to state laws or judicial rulings, contact your Prosecuting Attorney. Some areas have court cases listed, which were linked in older versions of the Manual, there are no links in this version. For Assistance or Advice contact: Department of Revenue Property Tax Division P. O. Box 47471 Olympia, Washington 98504-7471 Telephone (360) 534-1400 September 2021 County Assessor's Reference Manual for Washington State Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 – General Information........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 State Government ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 County Government ................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 County Assessor ......................................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Other Elected Officials .............................................................................................................. 11 1.5 Washington Association of County Assessors .......................................................................... 15 1.6 Washington Association of County Officials ............................................................................ 20 1.7 International Association of Assessing Officers ....................................................................... 29 CHAPTER 2 – Department of Revenue ................................................................................................... 31 2.1 Summary of Duties and Powers ............................................................................................... 31 2.2 General Provisions .................................................................................................................... 33 CHAPTER 3 – Taxable Property .............................................................................................................. 34 3.1 General Information ................................................................................................................. 34 3.2 Real Property ............................................................................................................................ 39 3.3 Mobile Homes .......................................................................................................................... 42 3.4 Current Use............................................................................................................................... 42 3.5 Timber and Forest Land – Reforestation Lands ....................................................................... 47 3.6 Personal Property ..................................................................................................................... 48 3.7 State Assessed Property ........................................................................................................... 51 3.8 Other Property ......................................................................................................................... 54 3.9 In Lieu of Property Tax ............................................................................................................. 54 3.10 Public Lands .............................................................................................................................. 55 3.11 Leases ....................................................................................................................................... 56 CHAPTER 4 – Property Tax Collection ................................................................................................... 58 4.1 Taxable Situs ............................................................................................................................. 58 4.2 Listing of Property .................................................................................................................... 58 4.3 Collection of Taxes.................................................................................................................... 60 4.4 Lien of Taxes ............................................................................................................................. 63 4.5 Omitted Property and Omitted Value ...................................................................................... 63 4.6 Destroyed Property .................................................................................................................. 64 4.7 Refunds ..................................................................................................................................... 64 4.8 Reassessment of Property ........................................................................................................ 65 4.9 Recovery of Taxes Paid or Property Sold for Taxes .................................................................. 65 CHAPTER 5 – Exemptions and Deferrals................................................................................................ 66 5.1 Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons ....................................................................................... 66 5.2 Nonprofit Organizations ........................................................................................................... 67 5.3 Deferral of Special Assessments and/or Property Taxes ......................................................... 71 5.4 Other Exemptions ..................................................................................................................... 73 CHAPTER 6 – Taxing Districts ............................................................................................................... 78 6.1 Taxing Districts ......................................................................................................................... 78 September 2021 County Assessor's Reference Manual for Washington State 6.2 Plats .......................................................................................................................................... 78 6.3 Surveys ..................................................................................................................................... 79 6.4 Segregations ............................................................................................................................. 80 CHAPTER 7 – Levies ............................................................................................................................... 81 7.1 Levy of Taxes ............................................................................................................................ 81 7.2 Limitations ................................................................................................................................ 85 7.3 Withdrawal or Reannexations of Areas ................................................................................... 87 7.4 Public Hearings – Increasing Revenues .................................................................................... 87 CHAPTER 8 – Property Tax Annual Ratio Study .................................................................................... 88 CHAPTER 9 – Assessment Roll/Tax Roll ............................................................................................... 89 CHAPTER 10 – Special Benefit Assessment Districts .......................................................................... 91 10.1 Diking and Drainage ................................................................................................................. 91 10.2 Flood Control Districts .............................................................................................................. 91 10.3 Irrigation And Rehabilitation Districts ...................................................................................... 92 10.4 Forest Fire Protection Assessment Districts ............................................................................. 92 10.5 Horticultural Assessment Districts 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