The Lewis County Treasurer’s Office on Friday released a document that describes changes to property taxes as a result of state legislation that was passed in March.
House Bill 1982 — which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2023, for the tax year 2023 and beyond — will mean changes on delinquent, or past due, property taxes.
Treasurer Arny Davis described the revisions as relief to both interest and penalty fees associated with late taxes.
“For those experiencing foreclosures it represents a little bit of relief,” he said.
Historically when taxes are delinquent, there’s a penalty fee and additional 1% interest owed every month the taxes are late, Davis said, meaning 12% annually.
Thirty days after first half taxes are late, taxpayers receive a 3% penalty.
Thirty days after second half taxes, on Dec. 1, there’s an additional 8% charge.
The change in January will drop the annual interest rate from 12% to 9% on certain parcels.
These revisions only apply to real property, not personal property.
“Personal property taxes, they are still due and still have that penalty,” Davis said.
To ask about what this means for your property, call the treasurer’s office at 360-740-1115 or visit the office’s website at https://lewiscountywa.gov/offices/treasurer. The office is closed for a lunch break between noon and 1 p.m. daily.
A pdf with a detailed explanation of the legislation and frequently asked questions was posted on the county’s website at https://lewiscountywa.gov/media/documents/Special_Notice.pdf.
