Property Tax Bills Higher For Most In Pierce County This Year

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — Pierce County this week mailed property tax bills to nearly 175,000 property owners, and with a few exceptions, officials said most can expect a moderate increase in what they owe.

Even as real estate values soared further last year, the Pierce County Assessor's Office said statutory limits actually reduced the tax rate in most districts. However, many jurisdictions approved new bond and levy measures that will see totals nudge a little higher.

Overall the county is billing $1.85 billion in property taxes, an increase of a little over 5 percent from the year before.

"The only significant increases are in areas where voters approved new levies or bonds," said Mike Lonergan, the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer. "As a result, we see moderate tax increases in most of Pierce County, and even small decreases in Edgewood and Sumner, where a school bond was paid off."

Nearly 60 percent of Pierce County's property taxes fund state and local school levies, with nearly 20 percent funding city and county services. Nearly 12 percent of the money funds fire and EMS services. The taxes also help fund parks, libraries, flood control, Sound Transit and the Port of Tacoma.

According to the Assessor's Office, each year the annual tax rate is calculated by multiplying property values by the combined rate of the taxing districts where a parcel is located. Except for voter-approved measures, taxing districts are limited to 101 percent of the previous year's tax revenues.

Pierce County voters approved 17 school levies in 10 districts last year, while voters in five fire districts authorized levy lid lifts for EMS services. The average property tax bill in Pierce County this year is $5,579.

Payments are due in equal halves, with the first deadline arriving May 1 and the second on Oct. 31. For homeowners that pay taxes through a mortgage escrow account, statements will be sent directly to the bank or mortgage company. Taxpayers may also view their statements on the Pierce County website.