King County property taxes deadline fast approaching, easy, secure payment options available

Sept 30, 2008

Contact: Ken Guy, 206-263-9254
              Scott Matheson, 206-296-7333

King County property owners/taxpayers are reminded that real estate and personal property taxes for the second half of 2008 must be paid or postmarked by October 31, 2008.

There are three ways to pay your taxes: online, in-person and by mail.

Pay online

Payments can be made conveniently from the comfort of your home using King County's eTax Web site.

Users of the on-line option will need a valid credit card number or checking account to complete and authorize the transaction. Eligible credit cards include VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card. There are processing fees for using the online service. The fee for on-line checking is $0.95 and the fee imposed by credit card companies is 2.5 percent. King County does not receive any part of the additional fees. The County's eTax online system provides easy, secure, and immediate payment confirmation for current year, non delinquent property tax bills. Delinquent accounts are not payable through the online payment system. The online system does not accept delinquent payments so online payments cannot be made after October 31.  If you wish to make a payment after that date, please contact our customer service staff at (206) 296-3850 or view your account online to obtain your balance owing.

Pay in-person

Tax payments can be made in person at the Treasury Operations office in the King County Administration Building, 500 Fourth Ave., Room 600 in Seattle. Payments are accepted during normal operating hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tax payments made by check for the exact amount due may be paid at one of King County's seven Community Service Centers. For addresses, phone numbers and operating hours of the community services centers, please visit, www.kingcounty.gov/operations/csc.

Pay by mail

Tax payments returned by mail must be postmarked by October 31, 2008 to avoid interest charges. The property tax account number must be placed on the enclosed check or money order and payments should accompany a tax statement.  Checks received after the deadline will be returned if they do not include applicable late penalty charges.

Taxpayers who have not received statements may contact King County Treasury Operations at www.kingcounty.gov/operations/Finance/Treasury, or by calling the automated system at 206-296-0923 or a customer service representative at 206-296-3850.