For Immediate Release:
March 2, 2023
Spokane County 2023 Property Tax Statements to be Mailed to Taxpayers; Overall Tax Roll Grows by $48 million to Countywide Total of $818 million.
Spokane County, WA Annual Spokane County property tax statements are being mailed to taxpayers this week and will begin arriving in mailboxes soon. The countywide property tax roll increased by approximately $48 million to a new total of nearly $818 million to be collected this year. Since 2019, the Spokane County property tax roll has increased by approximately $239 million.
The increase in tax dollars to be collected can be attributed to increases approved by local governments, increases in property values and new construction, and voter-approved ballot measures. On average, approximately 40% of a property tax bill consists of voter-approved bond and levy ballot measures. Several voter-approved measures took effect for 2023 property taxes including an EMS levy approved by City of Spokane voters in April 2022.
“While the Treasurer does not assess your property value or set your tax rates, I believe it is part of our role to help taxpayers better understand where their tax dollars go,” said Michael Baumgartner, the Treasurer of Spokane County. “This year’s tax statement includes information on the top tax increases for 2023, how taxes are distributed, and assistance programs.”
The below chart includes the five largest property tax increases as calculated by the Spokane County Assessor’s Office. Not all the listed increases are paid by every taxpayer.
Nearly 60% of levied property taxes fund public K-12 education. Other major property tax distributions include funding for city and county government and area fire districts.
Source: Spokane County Assessor’s Office Annual Reports
The Treasurer’s Office recognizes that the Courthouse is not a convenient location for all taxpayers looking to make in-person payments. That is why Treasurer’s Office staff will again be on-site at Spokane Valley City Hall to collect property tax payments and answer questions on Friday, April 21 and Friday, April 28 from 8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Only check or card payments will be accepted at Spokane Valley City Hall and applicable payment processing fees apply.
The public is invited to attend the next “Taxpayer Town Hall” taking place at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 22 at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture Auditorium. Treasurer Michael Baumgartner and Assessor Tom Konis will present and take questions on issues involving property taxes and property assessed valuations.
“Taxpayer Town Halls are a great opportunity for the public to interact with their local government. Anyone interested in learning more about property taxes and the role of their local government is encouraged to attend.” Added Baumgartner.
First half property tax payments are due by April 30 with second half payments due by October 31. Property tax payments are accepted online at the Treasurer’s Office website, by mail, and in-person either during business hours or at one of three drop boxes located on the Spokane County Courthouse campus. For more information, visit the Treasurer’s Office website at www.spokanecounty.org/treasurer.
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