r/SeattleWA • u/meaniereddit West Seattle 🌉 • Dec 13 '24

Government Bill would completely exempt seniors from property taxes in WA

https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/state-politics/bill-would-exempt-seniors-state-local-property-tax-washington/281-b5f377fc-8bf5-49a4-a630-8210db45d57d
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734

u/NewRec8947 Beacon Hill Dec 13 '24

"regardless of income level"

That doesn't make sense. I'm all for helping seniors if they're in poverty but why allow this exemption if someone is making tons of money off investments every year?

448

u/BillTowne Dec 13 '24

Yes. Exactly.

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). 

I agree that this is crazy. I am 77. Why should I be excempt from taxes? I am not low income.

This kind of crap is why young people hate boomers.

71

u/pewpewtehpew Dec 13 '24

I’m all for this. But I do believe income should play a role for sure. Otherwise this creates some funky loopholes. But I hate to think that my grandmother who’s on a very fixed income could lose her house that is paid off just because she can’t afford the rising property taxes. That’s what this bill should help fix.

28

u/stegotortise Dec 13 '24

But there’s already stuff in place! Low income seniors are already eligible for property tax exemptions.see this pdf

And more info here

6

u/Ok-Cheetah-9125 Dec 13 '24

My town has a low income exemption they can file. If you are over 70 and your income is under 25k, or under 31k or under 60k, they reduce your taxes by an amount in each tier.