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1. Where are you located and what are your hours of operation?

Our office is located in the Yakima County Courthouse, 128 North 2nd Street, Room 115.  The Drive Thru Facility is located north of the Courthouse at 217 N. 1st St. Both locations are open to assist the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

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1. Where and how do I apply for a senior citizen and/or disabled person’s exemption on my property taxes?

You will make your application in the Yakima County Assessor's Office located in Room 112 of the Yakima County Courthouse. Please contact them at 509-574-1100 to request what type of information/documentation you must provide them in order to apply. Their operating hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Be sure to ask what other types of property tax exemptions/deferrals that you may be eligible for from that office.

2. Why am I still paying property taxes if I have an exemption?

The amount of tax you may be exempt from paying is based on your value at the time that you apply and what level of exemption you were granted by the Yakima County Assessor's Office based on your income. It may also be based upon the acreage of your property that you receive the exemption on which only provided a partial exemption.

After the exemption is applied, you may have value that is left that creates the property tax you must pay. You may also have assessments to pay which are never included in an exemption.

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1. How can I obtain information on foreclosure properties?

We provide information on these properties on our website under the heading of Foreclosure/Distraint.

Other types of foreclosures may be through the Yakima County Sheriff's Office and lenders who are foreclosing on their Deeds of Trust for which our office has no responsibility.

2. If I have delinquent taxes and/or assessments, when does the county begin their foreclosure process?

Real property foreclosure begins May 1st for real property taxes/assessments delinquent 3 or more years.   Personal property taxes where current year's taxes are less than $50, must have 1st half paid by April 30th to avoid Distraint and associated costs.  Personal property taxes where current year's taxes are more than $50 for the entire year, must be paid by October 31st to avoid Distraint and associated costs.

3. Where do I go to find out if there are any liens on my property?

Liens are recorded in the Yakima County Auditor's Office in Room 117 of the Yakima County Courthouse. Their operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Please check with the Yakima County Clerk's Office which is located on the 3rd floor of the County Courthouse for any judgments that may have been filed.

4. What are surplus funds/proceeds?

If a parcel is sold at a foreclosure sale for an amount greater than the minimum bid, the surplus monies (excess proceeds) can be claimed by the previous recorded title owner provided that all registered liens having a legal right to claim the money have been satisfied.  If a valid claim has not been received after a three year period, the surplus is deposited into County funds. (RCW 84.64.080).  

The amount of fees or compensation provided to third parties assisting in locating or purporting to locate any property or surplus funds is limited to 5% of the value returned to the rightful owner under RCW 63.29.350.  Any person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than the amount of the fee or charge he or she has sought or received or contracted for, and not more than 10 times such amount, or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both.

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1. When are property tax statements sent to taxpayers?

The annual property tax statements are generally mailed during the month of February. If you have not received your property tax statement by the end of March, please notify our office at 509-574-2800.

2. When are property taxes due?

The first-half property taxes are due on or before April 30. The second-half property taxes are due on or before October 31.

Further information is available on the back of your tax statement or on our webpage under Tax Information.

3. Why did I receive my property tax and assessment statement when my mortgage company pays them?

Our office does not track whether or not you have an escrow account. You are legally the taxpayer and we work directly with you. You have a contractual relationship with your mortgage company that does not involve our office. Most mortgage companies request that information electronically. You may wish to verify with your mortgage company as to whether or not they want you to forward your tax statement to them.

It is always your responsibility to ensure taxes are paid in a timely manner. You can check online to see your paid taxes and print receipts.

4. Do you accept postmark as the date of payment?

We are able to accept the “federal” postmark from the United States Post Office. Personal/business postage meters do not provide a valid postmark in this instance.

5. What happens if I don’t make my payment on time?

Property taxes become delinquent May 1st for first-half and November 1st for second-half.  

• Interest accrues at 0.75% per month on the current year taxes for residential real property with four or fewer units per taxable parcel on the full year amount of taxes and/or assessments owing.  Prior years taxes and all other parcels will accrue interest at 1% per month.
• Penalty of 3% will be assessed on June 1st and an 8% penalty will be assessed on December 1st for all residential real property with greater than four units per taxable parcel and all personal property parcels.
• All real and personal property taxes where the current year's taxes are more than $50 may be paid in half with any applicable interest only through October 30th; on October 31st, those taxes are due in full.  All other property taxes where current year's taxes are than $50, must have 1st half paid by April 30th to avoid costs

Real property foreclosure begins May 1st for real property taxes/assessments delinquent 3 or more years.  Collection fees will be assessed during this process.

Personal property distraint begins May 1st for first-half and November 1st for second-half.  Collection fees are assessed starting on those dates.

6. Is there a drop box for property tax payments?

There is a secure drop box located outside the entrance of the Courthouse and a secure drive-up drop box located across from the Courthouse on the north side of Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, both available 24/7. There is also a drop box located along the West Wall outside of our office.

7. Can I pay my taxes with a credit or debit card?

Yes. There are three payment options when using either a credit or debit card.

8. How are my property taxes calculated?

Your property taxes are calculated by multiplying the taxable value by the levy rate for the area that the property is located divided by $1,000.

Example:
Taxable Value = $250,500
Levy Rate = 12.49655
$250,000 X 12.49655 = $3,130,385.78 divided by $1,000 = $3,130.39

The other item that is taken into consideration when your property taxes are calculated is whether or not you have some type of exemption.

9. How do I make a taxpayer name or address change?

You may do this via our website at  Name and Address Change Request, on the back of your payment coupon or by sending us a signed note requesting the change. Be sure to include your parcel number(s) on all correspondence with our office.

To make a change to the mailing address for the owner record, you will need to contact the Yakima County Assessor's Office at 509-574-1100.

Note: Changing the taxpayer name or address is solely for the purpose of receiving a property tax and assessment statement. It does not change the ownership or vesting. To change the ownership or vesting on a parcel, please seek legal guidance.

10. Why haven’t I received my property tax statement?

Our office may not have your most current mailing address. However, you do not need the property tax statement to make your payment. You can find your tax and assessment information under the heading of Pay Property Taxes. Just include your parcel number with your payment to avoid any complications in having your payment applied.

Please remember, even if you have not received your property tax statement, it is your responsibility to pay the taxes in a timely manner to avoid delinquent charges.

11. What happens if both my mortgage company and I pay my taxes for my property?

You will need to work with your mortgage company on this issue. We do not refund payments when this occurs but consider the property taxes paid in full for the year.

12. What can I do if the “situs/location” address is incorrect on my tax statement?

You will need to contact the Yakima County Assessor's Office at 509-574-1100 to request a correction to this address. We obtain the situs/location information that is printed on your tax statement directly from that office.

13. How do I protest my taxes?

This information is located under the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 458-18-215 and may be accessed in the Paying Property Taxes Under Protest (PDF). You must follow the directions provided explicitly in order to maintain your right to an appeal.

14. What are personal property taxes?

Personal property taxes are due on the following types of personal property.

15. I am delinquent on my personal property taxes. Why are they treated differently than my real property taxes?

According to state law, RCW 84.56.070, certain personal property taxes become delinquent on May 1 and November 1, respectively. They fall into the collection process called distraint and become immediately due in full with interest and administrative costs associated to the collection process.

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1. What is required for each property transfer?

To find out what is required for each property transfer, view our Property Transfer Requirements page.

2. What are the excise tax rates for Yakima County?

Any property/mobile home located in the following city limits are subject to a 1.78% excise tax fee plus an additional $5 for a state technology fee: Grandview, Granger, Mabton, Sunnyside, Union Gap, Wapato, Yakima and Zillah.

All other locations are subject to a 1.53% excise tax fee plus the additional $5 for the state technology fee.

Note: Excise tax and/or transfer fees must be paid in cash or certified funds.

The Washington State Department of Revenue maintains the most current excise tax rates.

3. How long do I have to process my property/mobile home transfer and pay excise tax?

Washington State Law, RCW 82.32.050, provides the seller with 30 days from the date of the sale to process the transfer without incurring interest and penalty fees on the excise tax amount.

4. I am gifting my property. Is there anything else I need to do?

There is a Real Estate Excise Tax Supplemental Statement (PDF) that must be signed by both parties, and it must accompany the completion of a Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit and your conveyance document.

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1. What can I do if I disagree with my assessed value?

You must contact the Yakima County Assessor's Office or file a valuation appeal with the Board of Equalization in the County Commissioner’s Office.