Event Recap
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday, April 19th at the McKinney Center for our Senior Property Tax Exemption Workshop with King County Assessor John Wilson!
This was a powerful session that equipped our homeowners with critical information about property tax relief—one of the most impactful tools for staying in your home as property taxes continue to rise across King County.
CLICK HERE FOR THE ASSESSORS SLIDE PRESENTATION
đź“Š WHAT WE LEARNED: THE TAX BURDEN IS REAL
Property taxes in King County are up 10% in 2026:
- Total property tax revenues increased by $770 million countywide
- King County property taxes now total $8.4 billion
- Residential homeowners carry 73.4% of that burden (vs. 26.6% commercial)
Example increases in our BLH service area:
- Seattle: 11.88% increase → $8,888 on a $897,000 home
- Kent: 10.01% increase → $6,293 on a $625,000 home
- Renton: 9.00% increase → $7,712 on a $729,000 home
- SeaTac: 7.64% increase → $6,180 on a $552,000 home
- Tukwila: 3.11% increase → $6,339 on a $577,000 home
For Black homeowners, this matters even more:
The homeownership gap between Black and white families in King County has not closed in 20 years—it remains 25% vs. 65%. Rising property taxes are one of the primary reasons Black families lose their homes. This exemption helps us stay.
âś… THE SENIOR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM
King County Assessor John Wilson walked us through the Senior Property Tax Reduction Program, which provides significant relief to qualifying homeowners.
WHO QUALIFIES?
Age/Disability:
- 61 years or older by December 31st of the assessment year, OR
- Disabled by Social Security Administration definition, OR
- A Veteran with service-connected disabilities (80% evaluation or 100% compensated)
Occupancy/Ownership:
- Must occupy the property as your principal residence (more than 6 months/year)
- Must own or be purchasing the home
- Property must be 1 acre or less (or 5 acres if zoned for such)
Income Limits (2024-2026):
- $84,000 or less in annual household income
đź’° HOW MUCH WILL I SAVE?
The program offers three levels of exemption based on income:
| 2026 Income Limit | Exemption Level | Avg. Savings (on $761K home) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $76,000 | Full Exemption | $6,142/year |
| $76,001 – $89,000 | Partial Exemption | $4,131/year |
| $89,001 – $101,000 | Standard Exemption | $3,767/year |
(Note: Income thresholds have increased significantly from prior years—more families now qualify!)
This is a GIFT, not a loan.
The property tax reduction never has to be repaid. The tax burden shifts to other taxpayers, and jurisdictions still receive their necessary funds.
đź“ť HOW TO APPLY
Applications are available now.
ONLINE:
https://senior-exemption.kingcounty.gov/intro
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION:
https://kingcounty.gov/en/legacy/depts/assessor/Forms.aspx
IN PERSON:
King Street Center, 2nd Floor
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
⏰ IMPORTANT DETAILS
Processing Time:
Current timeframe is up to 6 months (based on application volume). You will be notified by letter or email.
Retroactive Applications:
You can apply for up to 3 prior years, but you must have met qualifications each year.
Property Value Freeze:
Once approved, your property value freezes at the market value of the first year approved. If market value drops below the frozen value, the lower amount is used for taxation.
Mandatory Renewal:
Within 6 years, you’ll receive a mandatory renewal application from the Department of Assessments.
Your Responsibility:
You must notify the Assessor’s office if your income changes in a way that affects your benefit level, or if you sell the home or other major changes occur.
🙌 THANK YOU, ASSESSOR WILSON!
We are grateful to King County Assessor John Wilson and his team for taking the time to present this critical information to our community. This is exactly the kind of partnership that helps Black homeowners stay in their homes and build generational wealth.
Contact the Assessor’s Office:
King County Department of Assessments
John Wilson, Assessor
(206) 296-7300
[email protected]
📢 NEXT STEPS FOR BLH MEMBERS
If you think you qualify:
- Call our outreach Specialist Rhonda Smith at 206.580.3653 or email us at [email protected]
- We can help you navigate the application process and connect you with housing counselors if needed
- Drop by our Community Hub Hours (every Thursday, 10am -2 PM at McKinney Center) where we’ll have staff available to answer questions
If you know someone who qualifies:
Share this information! Many seniors don’t know this exemption exists. You could save a neighbor, family member, or church member thousands of dollars per year.
🔥 THE BIGGER PICTURE: WHY THIS MATTERS
Black homeownership in King County has been flat or declining for 20 years. The market is not closing the gap between Black and white homeownership—it is reinforcing it.
Property taxes are one of the hidden forces pushing Black families out of homes they own. When your property value increases 8-12% but your income doesn’t, the tax burden becomes unbearable.
This exemption is not charity—it’s justice.
It’s a small correction to a system that has historically excluded Black families from wealth-building and continues to extract wealth through rising tax burdens.