CHENEY, Wash. – A new state law signed by Governor Jay Ferguson will give property‑tax relief to an estimated 50,000 Washington seniors and couples beginning with the 2027 tax year. Senate Bill 6162 raises the income ceiling for the exemption, allowing more residents 61 and older to qualify.
How the exemption changes
Under the current rule, Spokane County homeowners who are 61 or older, own their primary residence and have a combined disposable income of $50,000 or less qualify for a state property‑tax exemption. SB 6162 lifts that threshold to $74,000 for individuals or couples, expanding eligibility across the state.
Spokane County Assessor Tom Konis explained that the higher ceiling will let many more seniors keep more of their hard‑earned money. “We’re trying to make it easier for the taxpayers,” Konis said, noting that the bill also simplifies the application process.
What taxpayers can expect
For a typical Spokane home valued at $300,000, the assessor’s office estimates the new exemption could save an eligible senior about $200‑$300 annually, depending on the exact disposable income level. The law creates three income tiers; each tier provides a different amount of savings on county or city levies in addition to the state exemption.
In addition to the higher income limit, the legislation adds a standard deduction of $7,500 per individual (or $15,000 for a couple) that applicants can claim when filing. Konis said the deduction will further reduce paperwork and speed up processing.
Local impact and broader context
Cheney Public Schools is currently proposing a replacement bond and levies for the November 2026 ballot. The district’s current property‑tax rate is $3.93 per $1,000 of assessed value. If the levy passes, the rate would drop slightly to $3.90 per $1,000, lowering the annual tax bill for a $350,000 home from roughly $1,375.50 to $1,365.
While the school‑district levy is a separate local matter, the statewide exemption will affect the same pool of homeowners who pay those levies. By reducing overall tax liability, the law aims to keep seniors in their homes and prevent forced sales due to rising costs.
Application process
Eligible residents must apply through the Spokane County Assessor’s Office. The office will handle the paperwork, and Konis emphasized that the streamlined process should prevent the “too‑complicated” filings that have discouraged applicants in the past.
“I’ve heard too many times people have started to fill out the documentation and it just got so complicated they gave up,” Konis said. “It will be faster for my staff to be able to process the applications once we get them.”
Support and expectations
Advocates of the bill argue that the expanded exemption will protect vulnerable seniors from losing their homes as property values and tax rates rise. The legislation reflects a broader trend in Washington to address the financial pressures on older residents while maintaining funding for essential services.
Governor Ferguson highlighted the bipartisan nature of the bill, noting that it balances fiscal responsibility with compassion for Washington families. “This is about giving hardworking seniors the relief they deserve while preserving the resources our communities need,” he said.
Residents who believe they may qualify should contact the Spokane County Auditor’s Office for income‑verification guidelines and the Assessor’s Office to begin the application process.
Original reporting: KHQ Spokane (news) — read the source article.
