County Treasurers.
A county treasurer (treasurer) is the custodian of county money and the administrator of the county's financial transactions.  Treasurers have many duties enumerated in statute, which include receiving and disbursing money, issuing receipts for money received, and maintaining financial records reflecting receipts and disbursements.
 
Tax Statements and Payment Due Dates.
All real and personal property in Washington is subject to property tax, unless the law provides a specific exemption.  All taxes due on real and personal property are due and payable to the treasurer.  To avoid interest and penalties, at least half of the amount owed is due by April 30, and the balance is due by October 31.  If the tax is less than $50, the entire payment must be paid in full by April 30.  Delinquent tax payments are subject to interest and penalties.
 
Tax Delinquencies and Payment Options.
Delinquent tax payments are subject to interest and penalties.
 
Interest is charged at a rate of 1 percent per month on the full amount due from the month of delinquency until the delinquency is paid in full.
 
In addition, a 3-percent penalty is also imposed on the unpaid amount of current taxes on June 1, with an additional 8-percent penalty imposed on the unpaid amount of current taxes as of December 1.
 
Taxpayers are authorized to participate in a payment agreement with the treasurer for past due tax delinquencies.  If a taxpayer is participating in a payment agreement, the treasurer may not assess additional penalties on any taxes that are included within the payment agreement.

The 3-percent penalty on delinquent property taxes on June 1 and the 8-percent penalty on December 1 are both eliminated for residential parcels with four or fewer units.  Delinquent property taxes on-residential real property and residential real property with more than four units per parcel remain subject to these penalties.

Interest charged on delinquent property taxes is reduced from 12 percent to 9 percent for residential parcels with four or fewer units.  Delinquent property taxes on-residential real property and residential real property with more than four units per parcel remain subject to the 12 percent interest rate.

Interest that has been assessed prior to any payment agreement remains due.  Penalties assessed prior to the effective date of the bill and assessed prior to any payment agreement remain due.

(In support) The state currently charges 23 percent total penalties and interest on delinquent taxes.  This bill allows a more reasonable interest rate to be paid on property taxes.  Counties may currently extend property tax due dates, which is currently happening in some areas.  This allows prevention of foreclosure by making the tax and penalties code more fair.  The COVID-19 pandemic is leading to more time spent at home and more spending on utilities and groceries.  Property taxes represent a pressure point on low-income families.  Exorbitant interest and penalties cause people to slide further into debt.  The interest rate should be lowered as well to 9 percent, which is the rate on consumer and medical debt.  People facing delinquency almost always are facing other crises such as death, divorce, mental health crises, etc.  These are people in the most need of support and do not deserve exorbitant interest and penalties.  The human impact when someone loses their home due to delinquency charges is enormous.
 
(Opposed) The Association of Washington Counties appreciates the desire to keep people in their homes.  This bill also affects all properties, not just homeowners.  Commercial property owners sometimes use the structure to simply not pay taxes.  This creates problems for the state and all junior taxing districts.  This could have an impact on both county revenues and their ability to pay bonds.  Additional forgiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic would be appropriate, but restrict it only to residential properties.  The cash flow from counties to smaller taxing districts could be negatively impacted by this, such as not being ready for fire season.  Park and recreation districts are also likely to be impacted since they do not have much cash flow either.  Treasurers should retain the ability to make decisions on a case-by-case basis.  The title is to protect homeowners from foreclosure, but instead it places library and fire and other districts at financial risks.  Treasurers may already waive these penalties, and send notice prior to people facing penalties.  Low-income folks can apply, and treasurers can waive combined interest and penalties.  Potential revenue loss will undermine essential government services.  Without penalties, there is less motivation to pay properly.  The City of Ruston lost huge revenue because a developer decided it was easier not to pay taxes.  Elimination of penalties will remove an essential device that ensures timely payments are retained.