A Spokane County Superior Court Judge today upheld a City of Spokane ordinance that authorized a property tax exemption for low-income seniors and disabled individuals. The ordinance
applies to the City’s new street levy, approved by voters in November.
applies to the City’s new street levy, approved by voters in November.
The Spokane City Council adopted the exemption ordinance
in February, mirroring one already allowed by state
law. The City adopted its own exemption program to apply to the street levy
because the City was told that the state’s program didn’t apply to the new levy
as it did to the previous 2004 Street Bond.
in February, mirroring one already allowed by state
law. The City adopted its own exemption program to apply to the street levy
because the City was told that the state’s program didn’t apply to the new levy
as it did to the previous 2004 Street Bond.
The Spokane County Assessor’s Office argued that the exemption was not authorized to
implement it because of opposition by the Washington State Department of
Revenue. The issue ended up in court, following the City’s attempts to
resolve the issue administratively.
implement it because of opposition by the Washington State Department of
Revenue. The issue ended up in court, following the City’s attempts to
resolve the issue administratively.
City staff will now work with the Assessor’s
Office to determine how to correct the approximately 4,700 incorrect property tax bills.
Office to determine how to correct the approximately 4,700 incorrect property tax bills.
The tax exemption applies to seniors or disabled
individuals with a household income of $35,000 or less. Citizens can apply for
the property exemption through the Spokane County Assessor’s Office.
Information is available at www.spokanecounty.org/Assessor/.
individuals with a household income of $35,000 or less. Citizens can apply for
the property exemption through the Spokane County Assessor’s Office.
Information is available at www.spokanecounty.org/Assessor/.