OLYMPIA, Wash. — A bill that has been pre-filed ahead of the 2025 legislative session would exempt seniors over a certain age from all state and local property taxes.
All property owned by anyone over 75 years of age would be exempt from state and local property tax, regardless of combined household income under SB 5020, filed by Sen. Phil Fortunato (R-Auburn).
The bill also includes protections for seniors who are confined to hospitals, nursing homes or assisted living facilities. The tax exemption would still apply under these circumstances:
- The residence is only temporarily unoccupied
- The residence is occupied by a spouse, domestic partner or financial dependent of the exempt person
- The residence is rented for the purpose of paying nursing home, hospital, assisted living facility or adult family home costs
The exemption would be valid for the senior's primary residence and would not apply to other property belonging to an exempt person. The exemption can be transferred if that person sells, transfers or is displaced from their home, but they can only claim an exemption for one property per year.
The bill goes much farther than other state and local property tax exemptions typically do.
The state of Washington has some property tax relief for seniors, but it is tied to income requirements.
In Washington state, those 61 years of age can qualify for an exemption from paying certain levies, and the property tax exemption program will also freeze the taxable value of that resident's home the first year that they qualify, if they make an annual household income of under $84,000 a year. Depending on disability and veteran status, seniors may qualify for a larger exemption.