How are property taxes levied?
Two things determine your property taxes:
- Your assessed value, and
- The budgets of the tax districts in which you live.

Throughout the year, my appraisal staff assesses all residential and commercial property at fair market value. In November, each of the 56 Spokane County tax districts establishes a budget and sends their budget resolution to me. In January, I use the budget resolutions to calculate levy rates to fund those budgets. Then in February, the Treasurer uses my levy rates and assessed values to determine individual property taxes. Washington State has a budget based property tax system where only the proportionate amount of the budget is collected from the property owners according to their assessed value.

Homeowner's Guide to Property Taxes (PDF)

Show All Answers

1. Are there maps online?
2. Didn't Initiative 747 limit my property tax to a 1% annual increase?
3. Do I qualify for senior citizen/disabled exemption?
4. What about exemptions on property?
5. How are property taxes levied?
6. How does the Assessor value commercial property?
7. Is assessed value different than market value?
8. Is my Senior Citizen or Disabled Person Exemption Application processed yet?
9. My property was revalued last year. Why did my assessed value go up?
10. What is the Open Space Act?
11. What is the Property Valuation Cycle?
12. What is personal property?
13. What is property tax?
14. When are property taxes determined?
15. Where do I get information about property ownership and legal descriptions?
16. Where do I get information about the assessed value of my property?
17. Where’s my property line?
18. Who do I contact to see what my property taxes will be?
19. Who must report personal property?
20. Why are there two addresses on my Official Assessment Notice?
21. Why do my property lines not line up with the aerial photo and/or street centerlines?
22. What are Property Class Codes?
23. How do I contact the Department of Revenue?
24. How do I sell or move my mobile home?