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July 14, 2015

County merges commercial timber tax programs

SKAGIT COUNTY – Skagit County Commissioners recently merged two tax programs designed to encourage the growing and harvesting of timber.

Skagit County Assessor Dave Thomas said the merger, approved on July 7, will save taxpayer money by way of reduced administrative costs. The application process and fee schedule will be streamlined. In most cases it will reduce costs associated with removal from the tax classification.

Thomas noted that the merged programs shared the same minimum acreage requirement and “value in use” taxable value. Both required a timber management plan and both were intended for properties used to produce a commercial timber harvest.

“The reduced land tax valuation is intended to encourage the use of land in a manner that the Washington State Legislature believes is beneficial to the public,” said Thomas. “Twelve counties, including Whatcom, Island and Chelan, have already combined the classifications.”

The assessor will send certified letters to Current Use Timber program participants notifying them of the change. The merger will not cause a change in timber land assessment rates, so property taxes are not affected by the passage of the ordinance.

For more information please call the Assessor’s Office at (360) 336-9370.