If you’re a homeowner, you’ll have to pay property taxes each year. Precisely how much you have to pay will vary depending on where you live and the value of your home. Tax rates will also change from year to year, which can make anticipating your total property tax obligation a bit difficult.

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Property tax 101

First off, there are some property tax basic concepts that you’ll need to be aware of. These key points apply to property tax in most areas—not just Snohomish County. Here’s what you’ll need to know:

Property taxes are levied annually against any non-exempt real property, such as land, homes, and other buildings.

Property taxes are paid to your local government, which uses the revenue to fund important public works and community services.

Your property tax obligation will be a dollar amount based on a certain percentage of your home’s assessed value as determined by a local tax assessor.

The percentage you owe will be determined by your local tax rate.

This local tax rate will change from year to year in response to fluctuations in the current market conditions and your local government’s budget.

In short, property taxes are a source of revenue that your local government uses to pay for vital expenses associated with running the county (law enforcement, public education, roads, etc.)

These taxes are collected from property owners to ensure that anyone with a vested financial interest in the welfare of the community contributes to the cost of its upkeep and improvement.

MORE:

Is car insurance tax deductible?

What is the property tax rate in Snohomish County?

Snohomish County’s average tax rate is 0.89% of assessed home values, which is well below the national average of 1.1% and slightly below the Washington statewide average of 0.92%. Based on that 0.89% rate, Snohomish County homeowners can expect to pay an average of $3,009 a year in property taxes.

How Snohomish County property taxes are determined

Snohomish County property tax laws dictate that your total property tax obligation is calculated by multiplying your home’s assessed value by the tax rate in your levy area.

The assessed value is determined by a local tax assessor. They will evaluate your home to determine its fair market value. Based on this value and the current market trends, the assessor will assign your home an assessed value or “taxable value.”

The local tax rate for your area is based on several factors, including:

Budgets of any tax jurisdictions that your home falls under (school districts, counties, townships, cities, etc.)

Voter-approved special measures and expenses

Voter-approved levies

Once the tax rate for your area is set, it will be multiplied by your home’s assessed value. The result will be your tax obligation for that year. A property tax bill detailing your total amount owed and the due dates will be mailed to you by the

Snohomish County Treasurer's Office

What do Snohomish County property taxes pay for?

As with any county, Snohomish uses the revenue from property taxes to pay for essential public works and community services. These include (but are not limited to):

Law enforcement

Public transportation, roads, and highways

Public schools, museums, and libraries

Public health and safety

Sewer maintenance and upkeep

In addition to these expenses, the 2020 Snohomish County

Comprehensive Financial Report

lists several major initiatives that will be receiving extra funding and resources, including:

COVID 19 Health and Economic Emergency

Racial Equity and Social Justice

Public Safety

Economic Development

Housing Affordability

Environmental Protection

Opioid Epidemic Response

Service-Technology-Excellence-Program

Fiscal Sustainability

These are areas that the county government feels need additional attention, so a good amount of the revenue from property taxes will go toward addressing them.

MORE:

How to deduct a car accident from your taxes

How to pay property taxes in Snohomish County

Snohomish homeowners have the choice if they want to pay their entire tax bill at once or split it up into two equal payments. The first payment is due each year on April 30th. If you decide to split the payment up, the second half is due on October 31st.

How you pay for your property taxes in Snohomish County is up to you. You can pay online, by mail, in person, over the phone, through your mortgage, or by using Evergreen Note Servicing. Here’s what you’ll need to do for each:

Online: You can

pay online

using a credit/debit card.

Mail: You can send a check or money order made out to Snohomish County Treasurer by mail to: Snohomish County Treasurer, 3000 Rockefeller Avenue M/S 501 Everett, WA 98201.

In person: You can pay in person at the Treasurer’s Office using cash, check, money order, or debit/credit card. The Treasurer's Office is located at the Snohomish County Administration, east building on the first floor at 3000 Rockefeller Ave Everett, WA 98201.

Phone: You can pay over the phone using a credit or debit card by calling 833-440-3332.

Through your mortgage: If you want to pay your property taxes through your mortgage, you’ll need to make arrangements with your mortgage lender. Typically, this is set up when you sign your mortgage and buy your home. Some mortgage lenders will allow you to arrange this after the mortgage is already in place, but many will not.

Evergreen Note Servicing:

Evergreen Note Servicing

is a loan servicing company. They offer a service where they will pay your property taxes. In exchange, you will make monthly payments to repay the amount plus interest. You can contact them at 253-848-5678 to make arrangements.

MORE:

Washington car insurance laws

How to save money on homeowners and car insurance in Washington

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FAQs

When are property taxes due in Snohomish County?

Snohomish County property taxes are due on April 30th and October 31st each year. If you would prefer to pay off the entire balance in one payment on April 30th, that is allowed.

How do I get my Washington property tax statement?

Your property tax statement will be mailed out to you before each due date. If you would like a digital copy of the statement, you can

look it up online

Are property taxes high in Snohomish County?

Although the average tax rate in Snohomish is higher than in most places, the actual average dollar amount owed is relatively low. For context, the average

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