Jefferson County property owners can soon expect to see property tax statements in their mailbox.

Initial notices of the arriving statements was sent by the county via email Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Jefferson County Treasurer Stacie Prada noted that first-installment property taxes are due Friday. April 30. 

Median home assessed values in 2020 (used for 2021 taxes) rose roughly 8 percent from 2019, according to Jefferson County Assessor Jeff Chapman. 

Many local taxing district budgets were held down on tax increases by statutory limitations, however, and for some districts, the Assessor’s Office said some levy rates dropped.

County officials said the state levy remains a fixed rate levy this year tied to assessed values, and there were notable local levy changes, most notable with the Port of Port Townsend’s Industrial Development District levy and local school voted capital project levies.

Tax changes on a typical home went from a drop in Gardiner of 2 percent to an increase in Quilcene of more than 27 percent, according to Chapman.

Taxpayers receiving their statements by mail will notice this is the second year the county is using white return envelopes instead of the historical green return envelopes; the change allows the county to track mail when returned and also  saves money on envelope printing.

When paying by mail, taxpayers will need to place their payment coupon in the envelope so that the Treasurer Office’s address shows through the window.

Taxes may be paid online, by mail, by credit card or electronic check, at local financial institutions, in county drop boxes, or by appointments with the Treasurer’s Office at the Jefferson County Courthouse

Payments sent by mail should be postmarked no later than April 30 to avoid penalty and interest charges. Taxpayers should write their property tax account number on their check or money order. Cash should not be sent through the mail. Taxpayers do not need to include a tax statement or coupon with the payment as long as the property tax account number is on the check or money order and payment is for the exact amount due.

Electronic checks have a $2 service fee charged by the provider that has been temporarily reduced to 50 cents during the pandemic. Go to the Jefferson County Treasurer’s webpage for instructions and fee amounts http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/329/Treasurer.

Drop boxes are available in the rear parking lot of the Jefferson County Courthouse and also at local banks, from April 1 to April 30, during business hours at Port Townsend 1st Security Bank of Washington, Port Hadlock 1st Security Bank of Washington, and Port Ludlow Sound Community Bank.

For more information, call the Treasurer’s Office at 360-385-9150.