FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5112

                           C 67 L 97

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Providing property tax refund interest from the date of collection.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Oke and Winsley).

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on Finance

Background:  Taxpayers are entitled to interest on refunds of property taxes.  Interest accrues from the date of payment of the tax in all cases in which the taxpayer institutes an action for a refund in state or federal court and in small claims petitions to the county assessor.  Interest on administrative refunds made by petition to the county treasurer accrues from the date of payment or the date of claim, whichever is later.  If the county treasurer rejects the claim, or takes no action within six months, and the taxpayer institutes a court action for the refund, interest accrues from the date of payment.  In addition, the county treasurer may refund without interest, within 60 days of payment, taxes paid more than once or paid in excess of the amount due.

Summary:  Interest on administrative refunds made by petition to the county treasurer accrues from the date of payment.

The act applies to claims made after January 1, 1998.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 43 3

House     97 1

House     98 0 (House reconsidered)

Effective:  July 27, 1997