Starting with 2027 tax bills, more Whatcom seniors and people with disabilities can pay less property tax
Connection 8 · MoneyOct. 28The connection: Washington cuts property taxes for some older homeowners and homeowners with disabilities whose income is under a set limit. A new state law raises that limit for 2027 tax bills. In Whatcom County, the limit was $52,000 a year for 2026 taxes. For 2027 it is $72,000. The new limits follow what a typical household earns in each county, so they differ by place:
- WhatcomState table 2027-2029$72,000 (up from $52,000).
- SkagitReported Oct. 26$78,000 (up from $48,000).
- SpokaneCounty release Mar. 31$74,000 (up from $50,000).
- YakimaReported Apr. 2$62,000 (up from $45,000).
The lower a household's income, the bigger the cut. People already enrolled are moved to the new levels on their own.
The cut does not lower the total that cities, counties and fire districts collect. The part enrolled owners do not pay is spread across everyone else's bills.
Skagit's assessor told the Skagit Valley Herald that shift is small there. The office expects 5,000 to 6,000 more people to sign up, on top of about 3,500 now.
No Whatcom sign-up count or cost shift has been published.
What's next: Bellingham's 2027 property tax is on the City Council's Nov. 2 agenda.
Built from: WA Department of Revenue special notice, June 10, 2026 · WA Department of Revenue income limits, 2027-2029 · Whatcom County Assessor exemption page · Skagit Valley Herald, Oct. 26, 2026 · Spokane County release, Mar. 31, 2026 · Yakima Herald-Republic, Apr. 2, 2026