Spokane7
68°
February 5, 2012 in City
More seeking property tax exemptions
Many homeowners over 62 are eligible for discount
When Rose Fanger reached retirement age, the Spokane resident began looking for ways to save.
“It’s scary going on a fixed income,” she said.
Fanger took advantage of a property tax exemption available to Washington residents 62 and older or who are disabled, and who have income of less than $35,000 a year. The lower a person’s income, the bigger the reduction in property taxes.
Although the allowance has been available since 1965, the economic slump has drawn renewed attention to it as people look for savings.
“I’m very pleased it’s available for people,” Fanger said. “What I’ve been able to do – fortunately – is put a new roof on, and I couldn’t do that if I had to pay all my property taxes.”
The exemption is available at three income levels: $0 to $25,000; $25,001 to $30,000; and $30,001 to $35,000.
The lowest income level allows for an exemption from voted taxes, such as school bonds and levies, which represent about 48 percent of a homeowner’s total property taxes. Additionally, those in the lowest bracket can receive a 60 percent reduction in taxes on a home’s assessed value. People can apply for the exemption through their county assessor’s office. Idaho offers a similar tax exemption program, according to the Idaho Tax Commission.
Spokane Valley resident John Frostad recently applied for the property tax exemption and found out that not only was he eligible for the current year, but the county also reimbursed him for two previous years.
“It helps you get by,” Frostad said. “Everyone is used to making $70,000 to $100,000 a year from working, then you retire and it drops to $30,000. You have to get used to that.”
He said the reduction in taxes means “I can pay my heating bill. Not everyone can.”
Spokane resident Robert Earle says the exemption has helped him better afford health care and he plans to keep applying for the property tax waiver as long as he qualifies.
“This break does help,” Earle said. “I’m waiting for paperwork to come in the mail now.”
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idahocity on February 05 at 6:59 a.m.
“It helps you get by,” Frostad said. “Everyone is used to making $70,000 to $100,000 a year from working, then you retire and it drops to $30,000. You have to get used to that.”
i need to move to the valley so i can find one of those 70-100k jobs.
lewis8457 on February 05 at 7:24 a.m.
wow never heard of this program i will need to hop aboard this band wagon.
idahocity on February 05 at 7:30 a.m.
sounds like the land of milk and honey to me and it’s just down the road.
westerly on February 05 at 8:05 a.m.
You don’t have to be disabled, just 62 or over and total income less than $35,000 a year gets your property taxes shaved down. Just supply your 2011 Fed income tax returns to county.
Bruce (aka thatoneguy) on February 05 at 9:04 a.m.
“Everyone is used to making $70,000 to $100,000 a year from working…”
Everyone? Wanna bet $10,000 on that?
avocet on February 05 at 10:43 a.m.
So those who are granted the exemption, which includes exemption from paying the portion for voted levies, are still allowed to vote on said levies. So they can vote “yes” for levies that increase everyone *else’s* property tax.
That’s not right. They should also be exempt from voting on levies.
Pigrobin on February 05 at 11:51 a.m.
Avocet, I assume you understand that 18 year old high school students can vote for levies. Voting for levies has nothing to do with paying property taxes. You must really have a problem with that.
avocet on February 05 at 12:25 p.m.
Piggyrobin, when it comes to *property owners* who can vote other people’s property taxes higher when it doesn’t affect their own, I DO have a problem with that. Maybe you should too.
liberal_in_right_wing_land on February 05 at 12:43 p.m.
Man, democracy sucks huh?
Dazzeetrader11 on February 05 at 12:49 p.m.
The levy money is raised from property tax increase. Assuming a tax levy ( Oh Vote fo Kids! lol)…is granted you will pay more in tax….more if you have some nice properties. It’s the same old theme….
Back to the article though, people over 62 always have the option of continuing to work….and produce something…and generate more savings, pension money and salary. Nothing is sacred about 62 yrs of age or 68 yrs of age.
misjustice on February 05 at 12:57 p.m.
^ I KNOW!
According to “some people” you old folks just need to suck it up and pay your share (as well as others’ shares), get a second job and work until you drop dead.
Afterall, those that really need property tax relief, like Providence hospital, just got their tax burden reduced and the county must make up that money somehow. So you oldsters need to stop being a burden and get out there and get a job!
At least that is what “some people” think.
; )
Diana on February 05 at 1:10 p.m.
Okay, I’m convinced. I’ll work until I drop dead, so Sacred Heart can get a tax break.
Who’s hiring 62-68 year olds, by the way?
Pigrobin on February 05 at 1:35 p.m.
Actually I don’t have a problem with it Avocet. I suppose you have a problem with the kid from Spokane who is serving in Afghanistan voting to raise your property taxes. How about any permanent resident of Spokane residing outside of the state or USA voting to raise your property taxes…I bet that really chaps your butt.
misjustice on February 05 at 1:55 p.m.
“Who’s hiring 62-68 year olds, by the way?”
I heard that someone, who is a regular contributor on these threads, is. But it’s in Poland, in a sweatshop….errr…I mean a factory.
RedCedar on February 05 at 2:09 p.m.
“Hi. Welcome to Wal*Mart.”
Dazzeetrader11 on February 05 at 3:09 p.m.
They key ( although you obviously missed it mrJ) is that you don’t leave your job. Then you won’t have to find one.
The Poland plant pays good wages…just not union wages. Why the heck do you think out group went there. Oh..poor unions…offshore jobs…at least they are willing to work, have skills and cannot/do not….depend on Obama for food stamps.
Life is different in most parts of the world oh spoiled one. You work or you might not eat. The world isn’t beholden to you for their life style either. Nor are YOU the standard…just another liberal who loves the free lunches passed out. But these are choices.
And now you might know why the US is in decline..it’s because of the liveral entitlement programs. 50% of the GDP is spent on that. But, back to the article, keep working if you like your job., If you don’t, well you make $30 and get a nice tax break. BUT don’t whine over your choices. You make them and you live with them.
reservedparking on February 05 at 4:37 p.m.
I’ve lived in the valley 20+ years & like it just fine.
What’s so wrong with the valley?
Diana on February 05 at 5:26 p.m.
Somebody mooed: “They key ( although you obviously missed it mrJ) is that you don’t leave your job. Then you won’t have to find one.”
Tell that to the people who were laid off. In Little Georgie’s last year in office the economy was losing 750,000 jobs a month.
Cheers, Daisy!
johnclarke on February 05 at 5:44 p.m.
Dazzeetrader11 on February 05 at 3:09 p.m.
The Poland plant pays good wages
OMG the imaginary “poland plant” again. Daisy ! Stop lying.
Dazzeetrader11 on February 05 at 6:26 p.m.
Sorry Clarkie..the plant is spectacular and make lots of good things Like medical good. Ever have a Holter monitor put on? Something tells me many on this blog have…well guess what? Not made in the US. Couldn’t afford to. EKG leads when you have your chest pain? Or in the CCU when you have your heart attack or your surgery? Not made in the uS….sorry guys. Made elsewhere.
Poland, Inida…couldn’t afford to be in the US. Unions cured that. SO America loses jobs…vote for Obama…I hear he promised to brings the overseas job back to the US. But pleae Clarkie…you’re a duffer…thank me for your relatives that are monitored in critical care situations…we make lots of things.. medical devices, etc. Big plants too…Obamacare wants to tax those things. Good luck. Can’t afford to be in the US…Thank Obama…
Have fun but thank me. I provide jobs and other things besides medical things. Just can’t do it here. Wanted to…but got to expensive. No matter, at least you get access to the things provided. We even make washers for your tractors. We do love America but cannot afford the tax and cannot afford the unions.
misjustice on February 05 at 7:41 p.m.
Hmmmm, that’s rich, if inconsistent; degrading 62 year old citizens and those with a low income for taking advantage of a rule that allows them to pay lower taxes while crowing about a corporation that moves a business off-shore to totally AVOID PAYING TAXES…
I guess Mitt Robme was right when he said, “corporations are my friends, people!” And “I don’t really worry about poor people!”
greenlibertarian on February 05 at 10:55 p.m.
Wow. That defines the evil of a troll.
/shudder
NEVER feed a troll.