Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Local Government & Housing Committee

HB 1208

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Allows a county treasurer to use a verification of payment rather than a stamp to show evidence of payment of the real estate excise tax.
Makes payment dates and interest charges for diking, drainage, or sewerage improvement district assessments the same as for property taxes.
Requires that property tax refund claims be made within three years of the due date for payment.
Authorizes a county treasurer to begin collection of various taxes and assessments once the treasurer completes the yearly tax roll.

Background:

County treasurers operate under the authority of various state statutes relating to the receipt, processing, and disbursement of funds. County treasurers are the custodian of the county's money and the administrator of the county's financial transactions. In addition to his or her duties relating to county functions, the county treasurers provide financial services to special purpose districts and other units of local government, including receipt, disbursement, investment, and accounting of the funds of each of these entities. County treasurers are responsible for the collection of various taxes (including legal proceedings to collect past due amounts) and other miscellaneous duties, such as conducting bond sales and sales of surplus county property.Among a county treasurer's duties in collecting taxes is the establishment of the county's tax rolls. The county treasurer's establishment of the yearly tax rolls is the prerequisite to the county treasurer having the authority to levy and receive taxes. Until 2007, the county treasurer could not receive tax payments prior to February 15. The 2007 Legislature eliminated this requirement. The county treasurer may receive tax payments once the tax roll for the current year's collection is complete.The first half of property taxes are due by April 30 and the second half on October 31. The interest rate on delinquent property taxes is 12 percent.Property tax refunds can be made if there has been mistake or error in the tax bill. Also, refunds are given if the property's value has been reduced due to an appeal. The claim for refund must be made within three years after the taxpayer paid the property tax. However, the county legislative authority may order a refund for an unlimited period.Diking, drainage, or sewerage improvement district assessments for construction or maintenance of improvements are collected in the same manner as property taxes. The annual assessments or installments of assessments for construction and maintenance and repairs are due in two equal installments. The first is payable by May 30 and the second by November 30. The rate of interest on late delinquencies is 10 percent.The real estate excise tax is collected by the county treasurer. The tax generally applies to sales of real property. The county treasurer must put a stamp on the instrument of sale or conveyance showing the tax has been paid before the instrument can be filed with the county auditor.

Summary of Bill:

Statutes that reference the February 15 property tax collection date are changed to reference the date of the completion of the tax roll. Accordingly, a county treasurer is authorized to begin collecting various taxes and assessments once he or she completes the yearly tax rolls. All property tax refund claims must be made within three years of the due date for payment. This includes property tax refund claims made on order of the county legislative authority.

The payment dates for diking, drainage, or sewerage improvement district assessment are changed to the dates used for property tax collections: April 30 for the first half payment and October 31 for the second half. The interest rate charged on delinquent assessments is increased to 12 percent.The stamp required to show evidence of payment of the real estate excise tax is replaced by a verification of payment by the county treasurer.