With the significant increase last year in assessed values, taxpayers will see much lower tax rates on their tax bills this year with some property owners seeing a drop in the tax rate of over $2 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The Assessor’s Office has a map visualizing the countywide tax rates on the county website.  

Washington State has a budget-based property tax system where taxing districts ask for an exact dollar amount to be collected from the taxpayers. In a budget-based tax system, as assessment levels increase the tax rates will decrease to ensure only the collection of the budgeted amount.

Despite, the lower tax rates, property taxpayers will see increases in their property taxes across the county due to the increased property tax requests by taxing districts. “Taxpayers should not be confused that a lower tax rate indicates that a tax district is cutting taxes,” said Assessor Peter Van Nortwick. “Property taxes increase because tax districts request additional tax revenue, not because assessed values have increased,” Van Nortwick added. 

Taxpayers interested in seeing a breakdown of their property taxes, including any tax district increases, can visit the county’s online property information center, search their property, and view their property tax page.

For more information on taxing districts and levy rates, visit the Assessor’s website at https://clark.wa.gov/assessor/annual-reports.

CONTACT:
Peter Van Nortwick, County Assessor
564.397.4634, peter.vannortwick@clark.wa.gov