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Legislation Increases Senior & Disabled Persons Income Limits for Tax Purposes, effective for 2024 Taxes.
Income Thresholds: https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/property-tax/senior-citizens-and-people-disabilities-exemption-and-deferred-income-thresholds
10/16/2023
JEFFERSON COUNTY TAXABLE PROPERTY VALUES UPDATED FOR 2024 TAXES
State law requires every county to appraise taxable property each year at 100% of fair market value. Jefferson County accomplishes this by a focused re-inspection of one sixth of the County each year. The other five sixths are updated through a combination of statistical sales analysis and inspections of areas needing a more detailed approach. The physical re-inspection area this year is the Tri-Area (Chimacum, Port Hadlock, Irondale) and Marrowstone Island portions of the Chimacum School District. The Assessor’s Office has completed their 2023 inspections and market analysis and has recently mailed out change of value notices (COV) for the majority of properties in Jefferson County. These values will be used for calculating 2024 taxes.
Property owners may discuss their assessed values with the Assessor’s appraisers if they believe the value is not reflective of market value. Appraisers can adjust a value within the 30 days after COVs are sent if they feel there is additional information that was not considered. Property owners may also choose to file an appeal with the Jefferson County’s Board of Equalization (BOE) by the end of the 30-day window from the date of notice. Changes made as a result of BOE decisions will be reflected in revised 2024 tax statements, should decisions be determined after tax statements are mailed next February.
Values have continued to rise in 2023, following 2022 sales data. The University of Washington puts the median home price for Jefferson County for 2022 at $606,800, an increase of 19% over 2021, and the 5th highest County in the State. We have not yet captured the full increase since values in Jefferson County rose around half of that increase with a county wide median assessed value of $508,000. Affordability remains a challenge for Jefferson County.
If you have questions on this process, please do not hesitate to contact the Jefferson County Assessor’s Office by phone at 360-385-9105, in person at 1820 Jefferson St. (Courthouse), or by mail at P.O. Box 1220, Port Townsend, WA 98368.
Thank you, Jeff Chapman, Assessor
Jefferson County Assessor
As your Assessor, one of my functions is to have this office be transparent and accessible to you. This web section will provide you with information on questions you may have regarding the Assessor’s office. If further assistance is needed, the Assessor’s staff is always willing to answer your questions.
It is our goal to appraise all property fairly and equitably, to maintain accurate and accessible property records and give prompt and courteous customer service.
State law requires that the Assessor value property at 100% of true and fair market value. The market value is the amount of money that a willing and unobligated buyer is willing to pay a willing and unobligated seller. An individual sale does not automatically establish the value of a property. The Assessor uses multiple sales to establish market value.
The Jefferson County Assessor’s office is required to physically inspect, appraise and revalue all real property once every 6 years with an annual review and update based on sales analysis. This appraisal cycle is established by the state constitution & state laws, enforced by the State Department of Revenue.
· We maintain inventory, description, ownership, sales and mapping for all properties.
· We provide information, education and assistance.
· We provide public computer access to assessment data, also now available on the Internet through the Real Property Search.
· We allocate value to taxing districts, calculate levy rates and certify tax roll to our Treasurer and provide information for tax exemptions:
o Senior Citizen and Disabled Persons Exemption
o Open Space Taxation, Forest Land Exemption, Farm & Agriculture Exemption
o Historic Properties Exemption
o Residential Home Improvement Exemption
· We prepare the defense of valuations for appeal board cases.
· We maintain business personal property listings and audits.
We do not, mail or collect your taxes. Please contact the Treasurer’s Office (360) 385-9150.
We do not, assist with completing your appeal form or take your appeal form. Please contact the Board of Equalization (360) 385-9100.
Real Property is land and any improvements, such as buildings, attached to the land. Properties are revalued annually and are physically inspected at least once every six years. After determining the value, the Assessor mails property owners a “Change of Value Notice.” The notice states the new and the old values. By comparing the two values, property owners can tell whether their property has increased or decreased in value. The notice also breaks down the value between land and improvements. Valuation notices are NOT tax bills. An increase in value does not mean that next year’s property taxes will increase at a proportionate rate.
Residential Revaluation Map