Housing (Property Taxes)

in committee · Washington · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 2227: Providing a real estate excise tax exemption for the sale of qualified affordable housing.

HB 2227 would exempt sales of "qualified affordable housing" from Washington's real estate excise tax. This bill amends the state's tax code (RCW 82.45.010) to create this specific exemption for qualifying affordable housing properties. The exemption directly affects sellers of eligible affordable housing units, reducing their tax burden when selling such properties. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee after being prefaced in December 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts affordable housing sales from real estate tax, providing targeted tax relief for lower-income housing transactions.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing sales from real estate tax, reducing seller costs to encourage development and increase supply of affordable units.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 6316: Creating a homestead exemption for seniors, persons retired due to disability, and veterans with disabilities.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief for low-to-moderate income seniors/disabled veterans ($65k income cap), reducing tax burden on targeted groups per fiscal relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax relief for low-income seniors/disabled veterans, reducing housing costs and increasing affordability for vulnerable homeowners within income limits.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans with 40%+ VA disability from property taxes on $150k home value, directly expanding benefits for veterans with disabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes Tags Seniors

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signed · Washington · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2442: Providing local governments tax resources and fund flexibility.

HB 2442 allows Washington counties and cities to impose specific real estate excise taxes to fund local capital projects and affordable housing. It authorizes a 0.25% tax on real property sales for general capital projects (like streets, parks, and sewer systems), with strict usage rules requiring projects to align with comprehensive plans. Additionally, it creates a separate 0.5% tax exclusively for affordable housing development, including acquisition, construction, and maintenance for low- and moderate-income residents. Local governments must document funding plans for future projects and follow voter approval processes for new taxes, while funds must be managed through competitive grant processes for housing initiatives. The bill directly affects local governments by expanding their tax tools for infrastructure and housing priorities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes local real estate taxes (0.25%/0.5%) to fund capital projects and affordable housing, directly advancing public service funding through new tax mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates 0.5% tax exclusively for affordable housing development, including construction and maintenance for low-income housing.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly authorizes 0.25% tax for streets (transportation infrastructure) as part of general capital projects under the tax provisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes Tags Local Government

in committee · Washington · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 2673: Establishing tax exemptions for property used as affordable housing owned or operated by a social housing agency.

HB 2673 proposes a tax exemption for property used as affordable housing owned or operated by social housing agencies in Washington State. This bill directly affects affordable housing providers by removing certain property taxes on qualifying properties. The key mechanism adds an exemption to existing tax codes, specifically excluding from taxation real property used for affordable housing under a social housing agency's ownership or operation. The exemption applies to properties meeting the bill's defined criteria for affordable housing use, without altering other tax obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemption for affordable housing properties, reducing property tax burden on social housing agencies, aligning with tax relief for lower-income housing services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax exemption for affordable housing properties reduces costs for social housing agencies, directly advancing affordable housing access and development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2650: Concerning notifications and effective dates for department of revenue administration of certain excise taxes.

HB 2650 creates a tax deferral program for property owners developing affordable housing on underdeveloped land (like surface parking lots) in qualifying cities. It requires owners to complete construction within three years, offer housing to low/moderate-income households (costing ≤30% of income), and submit verification to cities within 30 days of a certificate of occupancy. Cities must then confirm compliance with affordability and construction standards before the Department of Revenue finalizes the sales/use tax deferral. The bill directly affects property developers, local cities administering the program, and the Department of Revenue. If requirements aren’t met, cities can deny the deferral or require interest on nonqualifying taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deferral for affordable housing developers, reducing immediate tax burden to incentivize low-income housing construction.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax deferral for affordable housing development on underused land, requiring 30% income cap and city verification to increase affordable units.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 6211: Creating uniformity for the process by which cities planning under the growth management act implement real estate excise taxes.

SB 6211 standardizes how Washington cities and counties under the Growth Management Act can impose a 0.25% real estate sales tax to fund capital projects. It directly affects local governments by requiring them to use tax revenue exclusively for specific capital projects like streets, parks, airports, and affordable housing/homeless facilities, as defined in the bill. Key mechanisms include mandating voter approval for new taxes in certain areas, restricting fund use to projects in comprehensive plans, and allowing up to 25% of funds for affordable housing initiatives through established collaborations. The bill also preserves existing commitments for pre-1992 debt or projects while requiring documentation of future capital project funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesStandardizes 0.25% real estate tax for capital projects (streets, parks, affordable housing), directing funds to public infrastructure per bill's explicit mandate.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates tax revenue use for affordable housing/homeless facilities per specific capital project requirements, directly funding housing initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue Sales Tax Affordable Housing Homelessness Property Taxes

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in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 6201: Establishing tax exemptions for property used as affordable housing owned or operated by a social housing agency.

SB 6201 creates a property tax exemption for housing units classified as "affordable" when owned or operated by social housing agencies in Washington State. The bill amends tax code sections to exclude qualifying affordable housing properties from standard property tax calculations, directly benefiting social housing agencies and their tenants. Key provisions require properties to meet affordability standards (likely defined in other state regulations) and be managed by eligible agencies to qualify for the exemption. This policy change reduces operational costs for social housing providers without altering existing tax structures for other property types.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemption for affordable housing, reducing tax burden on low-income housing providers per bill's tax code amendment.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax exemption for affordable housing properties owned by social agencies, reducing operational costs to maintain/expand affordable units per bill's core purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5986: Providing a property tax exemption for qualifying housing used as a residency by tenants meeting certain disability criteria.

SB 5986 would create a $50,000 property tax exemption per qualifying tenant for owners of single-family homes or multi-family residential properties. To qualify, tenants must receive Social Security disability payments or be veterans with a 40%+ VA disability rating, and have lived in the housing for at least nine months that year. Property owners must apply with the county assessor and pass at least 80% of the tax savings to tenants through reduced rent payments in the same year. The exemption applies only to properties where the tax savings directly lower tenant costs, not to the property owner’s overall tax burden.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption (reducing tax burden) for qualifying tenants with disabilities, requiring 80% tax savings passed to tenants via rent reduction, aligning with tax relief for lower-income groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax incentive for landlords to provide affordable housing to disabled/veteran tenants via mandatory rent reductions, directly advancing affordable housing access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes veterans with 40%+ VA disability rating as qualifying tenants for property tax exemption, reducing housing costs for this group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes Renters Tenant Rights Tags People with Disabilities

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signed · Washington · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 6162: Concerning property tax reform.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax relief for seniors/veterans with lower incomes, reducing their tax burden via tiered exemptions per bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands property tax relief for seniors/veterans with lower incomes, reducing housing costs and advancing affordability for vulnerable groups.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes veterans with 40%+ VA disability ratings in expanded property tax relief program, providing tiered tax exemptions as a direct benefit.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Tags Seniors

in committee · Washington · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 2621: Concerning property tax reform.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax relief for seniors/disabled by raising income thresholds and property caps, providing direct tax relief to lower/middle income groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands property tax relief for seniors, reducing housing costs and increasing affordability for vulnerable residents through higher income thresholds and property value caps.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes veterans with 40%+ disability in expanded property tax relief program, directly advancing veteran financial benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Property Taxes Tags Seniors

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