Columbia County
Property Tax Collection
When Tax Statements are Mailed
Sold
Property
Tax
Statements & Due Dates
Interest
& Penalty on Delinquent Taxes
Personal
Property
Senior
Citizens & Disabled Persons Exemption
Mobile
Home Owners
Tax
Paid Under Protest
Foreclosure
& Sale for Non-payment of Taxes
Accepted
Payments
Pay Taxes Electronically
Contact
Information
TAX STATEMENTS ARE SENT OUT ONCE A YEAR. Tax statements are mailed from Dayton, Washington, on February 14 or the first business following when it falls on a weekend or holiday.
SOLD PROPERTY: If your have sold property prior to receiving a tax statement or at any other time during the year, please notify the Treasurer's Office so a statement can be forwarded to the new owner. Failure to receive a tax statement on property does not excuse any penalty or interest charges
TAX STATEMENT: EXAMINE YOUR TAX STATEMENT to avoid payment on the wrong property. First half or full payment of tax must be paid/postmarked no later than April 30th. Second half tax must be paid/postmarked no later than October 31st. Tax amounts $50.00 or less on individual parcels must be paid in full with the first half payment. Delinquent tax amounts showing on your statement will not include the interest and penalty because this amount changes every month.
INTEREST AND PENALTY ON DELINQUENT TAXES: If the first half taxes are not paid by April 30th, interest is charged on the full amount of tax at 1% (one percent) per month. In addition to the interest, there will be penalties added the first year of delinquency. A 3% (three percent) penalty will be added on June 1st, and an 8% (eight percent) penalty will be added on December 1st. Payments received on delinquent PERSONAL PROPERTY tax after the April 30th deadline must be paid in full with applicable interest, penalties, and costs.
Real Estate and Mobile Homes may still be paid in halves through October 31st, with interest and penalties calculated on the full tax. Failure to pay second half taxes will also result in interest and penalty charges. BEFORE PAYING DELINQUENT TAX, PLEASE CONTACT THE TREASURER'S OFFICE AT (509) 382-2641 FOR THE CORRECT INTEREST AND PENALTY AMOUNT COMPUTED FOR THE DATE OF YOUR PAYMENT.
PERSONAL PROPERTY: Taxes are computed on the assessed valuation as of January 1st of the preceding year. They are a lien on the Personal Property of the person assessed. IT IS UNLAWFUL TO SELL PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHOUT PAYING TAX IN ADVANCE. A clear bill of sale cannot be issued until such payment is made. PERSONAL PROPERTY is subject to immediate seizure and subsequent sale if at least the first half of the tax is not paid by April 30th and the second half by October 31st. Check with the County Treasurer's Office before buying or selling any personal property. (RCW 84.56.070.090)
SENIOR CITIZENS AND DISABLED PERSONS EXEMPTIONS: If you own a residence, you may be entitled to a property tax exemption. To qualify you must be 61 years old or retired because of a disability, the property must be your main residence, and you must have a limited income. For application forms and further information, please call the Columbia County Assessor at (509) 382-2131.
MOBILE HOME OWNERS: Check with your County Treasurer's Office before buying or selling a mobile home to assure the proper changes have been made and to protect your property against any property or excise tax lien. (RCW 84.60) Movement of a mobile home without a movement permit issued by the Treasurer may result in a penalty. (RCW 46.44.175).
TAX PAID UNDER PROTEST: To preserve your right to seek a court ordered refund you must comply with the requirements of the law. (RCW 84.68.20)
FORECLOSURE AND SALE FOR NON PAYMENT OF TAXES: After the County Treasurer has started the tax foreclosure procedure by filing a Certificate of Delinquency in Superior Court, all tax, interest, penalties, and costs must be paid through the current year in order to remove the property from foreclosure. All REAL ESTATE with delinquent taxes for three years or more will be subject to foreclosure.
PAYMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED IN U.S. CURRENCY ONLY. MAKE YOUR CHECK, CASHIERS CHECK, OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO THE COLUMBIA COUNTY TREASURER. WASHINGTON STATE TAX LAWS PROHIBIT US FROM RECEIPTING PARTIAL PAYMENTS. WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING DEBIT/CREDIT CARD ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS! PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS!
TREASURER (509) 382-2641 Taxes, delinquent interest, foreclosure, mobile home sales and moving permits, address changes.
ASSESSOR (509) 382-2131 Values, exemptions, ownership, personal property listing, open space, omitted taxes, levy rates, legal descriptions, maps.