Dec. 31 property tax deadline is approaching fast
Last updated 12/24/2020 at 12:16pm
SPOKANE COUNTY – Taxpayers have until Dec.31 to pay their second half 2020 property taxes without late interest charges. The fall property tax deadline in Spokane County was previously extended for most taxpayers from Oct. 31 to Dec. 31, the longest tax extension of any Washington counties.
According to a news release from Treasurer Mike Baumgartner, the December due date applies to both real and personal 2020 property taxes in Spokane County. One percent interest mandated by state law will accrue monthly beginning Jan. 1, 2021.
“When I extended the first half tax deadline earlier this year I did so to relieve some pressure from the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic shutdown ordered by the governor,” Baumgartner said. “Now this fall, many taxpayers are still struggling whether they are out of work, trying to work while providing child care, or unable to open the doors of their businesses. It only makes sense that if government is going to continue to restrict citizens’ ability to work, that it provides some relief.”
Fall collections from individual taxpayers, businesses and payments by mortgage loan service providers are tracking similarly to collections during the spring tax extension earlier this year. Payments received on behalf of taxpayers paid by mortgage loan service providers received by Oct. 31 accounted for approximately 40 % of estimated fall tax payments.
Many businesses and individual taxpayers also chose to pay their taxes by the original due date. The Treasurer’s Office as part of its community outreach efforts encouraged taxpayers able to pay to do so by the original deadline to support local public services that rely on property tax revenue.
The county treasurer is responsible for the debt service of local taxing districts including payments on area school and fire bonds. Through office cash flow forecasting of collected tax revenue and investment management, the Treasurer’s Office made approximately $120 million in principal and interest debt payments the first week of December.
“When we granted our tax extension, ensuring government’s debt payments would be made on time was one of our top considerations,” Baumgartner added. “I am pleased to report that our office had sufficient liquidity to make timely payments on local government bonds.”
For more information on taxpayer assistance programs and Spokane County property taxes, citizens should visit www.spokanecounty.org/treasurer or call 509-477-4713.
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