Question: WHAT IS PERSONAL PROPERTY?

Answer: Personal Property is used in business operations. The chief characteristic distinguishing Personal Property from Real Property is mobility. Land and improvements are considered Real Property. Unless specifically exempted by law, all other property is taxable as Personal Property.
(RCW 84.40.080)

Question: HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO FILE A PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX AFFIDAVIT?

Answer: Each year, after a personal property account is established, property owners will be mailed an affidavit at the beginning of each calendar year. By April 30, the property owner must certify that the list is correct, make any adjustments necessary, sign and return the affidavit to the Assessor-Treasurer's office. By law, property owners are responsible for filing the personal property affidavit every year. This is true even if the property owner does not receive an affidavit in the mail. The penalty for failing to file a personal property affidavit is 5% of the tax due per month, up to a maximum penalty of 25% on the total assessed tax.
(RCW 84.40.040, 84.40.130)

Question: WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT PAY MY PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES?

Answer: By law, a lien on personal property exists from the time the Assessor-Treasurer's office lists and values the property until the tax is paid. If the tax is not paid, the treasurer may place a tax lien on the property owner's real property.
(RCW 84.56.070)

Question: WHY IS THERE A LATE FILE PENALTY ON MY TAX BILL?

Answer: The Late File Penalty is assessed if the previous year’s Personal Property Affidavit was filed after the April 30th due date or not filed at all.

The penalty is calculated at 5% of the tax amount due for each additional month, or fraction thereof, that the Personal Property Affidavit was received after April 30th to a maximum of 25%.
(RCW 84.40.130)

Example: 2005 Affidavit received in August (4 months late)
2006 Tax Amount Due: $1,000.00
Late File Penalty: 20%
2006 Total Amount Due: $1,200.00