Veterans (Seniors)

HB 2621 expands Washington's senior property tax relief program to cover more residents. It increases income thresholds for full exemption (from $50,000 to $70,000 for moderate income, and $60,000 to $80,000 for lowest income) and raises the property value cap for full exemption (to $500,000). Eligibility includes residents 61+ or disabled retirees, veterans with 40%+ disability rating, and surviving spouses 57+. The bill also streamlines how exemptions transfer when moving homes and requires clearer reporting on how property tax revenue is used. This directly affects seniors and disabled homeowners with limited income who own their primary residence.

SB 6316 creates a property tax exemption for seniors (61+), disabled retirees, and veterans with a 40%+ VA disability rating. It exempts $150,000 of a home's assessed value from property taxes for households with combined income under $65,000, applying to taxes levied starting in 2027. To qualify, applicants must live in the home as their primary residence, meet income limits, and file annual renewal forms by June 30. The exemption is in addition to existing homestead exemptions and requires renewal every six years. This directly affects eligible homeowners by reducing their annual property tax burden.

SB 6162 expands Washington’s senior property tax relief program to help older residents and veterans with lower incomes. It directly affects seniors aged 61+ (or disabled retirees), veterans with 40%+ VA disability ratings, and surviving spouses aged 57+ who meet income thresholds. The bill provides tiered tax relief: full exemption from all property taxes for those below income threshold 3, and partial exemptions (covering up to 80% of home value) for those between thresholds 1 and 2. Key changes include simplifying eligibility rules, allowing income adjustments for events like spouse death or Social Security COLAs, and locking in lower property valuations for qualifying homeowners.

HB 1179 would allow Washington seniors aged 61+ and disabled veterans with VA disability ratings of 80% or higher to freeze their property tax valuation. Qualifying residents would pay no tax on a portion of their home's value based on income: lower-income households get full relief on all taxes, while others receive partial relief up to $70,000 of home value. The exemption uses "combined disposable income" to determine eligibility and applies the frozen valuation (based on 1995 or qualification year) to reduce taxes. This law would take effect for property taxes collected starting in 2026.