Title
A MOTION relating to a pilot program for partial payment of delinquent real property taxes.
Body
WHEREAS, all property in Washington is subject to property tax each year based on its value, unless a specific exemption is provided by law, and
WHEREAS, the county treasurer is responsible for providing a notice of tax due to county taxpayers and collecting the tax, and
WHEREAS, county treasurers are allowed to collect taxes, assessments, fees, rates, and charges by electronic bill presentment and payment, and
WHEREAS, property taxes are due on April thirtieth each year, with the option for eligible accounts to pay one-half of the tax by April thirtieth, and the other half by October thirty-first, and
WHEREAS, a tax account becomes delinquent and subject to interest and penalties if the tax payment is not made on time, and
WHEREAS, throughout any given tax roll year there are in King County between 15,000 and 25,000 current-year delinquent real properties, between 6,000 and 12,000 prior-year delinquent real properties, and between 100 and 2,500 real properties subject to property tax foreclosure, and
WHEREAS, the county is committed to providing fairness and flexibility in the payment of real property taxes for homeowners experiencing acute financial hardship, and
WHEREAS, in the 2014 legislative session, the Washington state Legislature passed Substitute House Bill 2309, which became Chapter 13, Laws of Washington 2014, that allows county treasurers to accept partial payment of property taxes;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The executive is requested to establish a thirty-six month pilot program to allow real property taxpayers in King County, on the terms of this motion, to submit to the treasurer partial payment of delinquent real property taxes including interest and penalties.
B. The pilot program for partial delinquent real property tax payment is subject to the following:
1. The pilot program will commence...
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