Frequently Asked Questions

Our office is located in the Yakima County Courthouse, 128 North 2nd Street, Room 115.  The Drive Thru Facility is located north of the Courthouse at 217 N. 1st St. Both locations are open to assist the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Our office does not track whether or not you have an escrow account. You are legally the taxpayer and we work directly with you. You have a contractual relationship with your mortgage company that does not involve our office. Most mortgage companies request that information electronically. You may wish to verify with your mortgage company as to whether or not they want you to forward your tax statement to them.

It is always your responsibility to ensure taxes are paid in a timely manner. You can check online to see your paid taxes and print receipts.

Property taxes become delinquent May 1st for first-half and November 1st for second-half.  

• Interest accrues at 0.75% per month on the current year taxes for residential real property with four or fewer units per taxable parcel on the full year amount of taxes and/or assessments owing.  Prior years taxes and all other parcels will accrue interest at 1% per month.
• Penalty of 3% will be assessed on June 1st and an 8% penalty will be assessed on December 1st for all residential real property with greater than four units per taxable parcel and all personal property parcels.
• All real and personal property taxes where the current year's taxes are more than $50 may be paid in half with any applicable interest only through October 30th; on October 31st, those taxes are due in full.  All other property taxes where current year's taxes are than $50, must have 1st half paid by April 30th to avoid costs

Real property foreclosure begins May 1st for real property taxes/assessments delinquent 3 or more years.  Collection fees will be assessed during this process.

Personal property distraint begins May 1st for first-half and November 1st for second-half.  Collection fees are assessed starting on those dates.

There is a secure drop box located outside the entrance of the Courthouse and a secure drive-up drop box located across from the Courthouse on the north side of Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, both available 24/7. There is also a drop box located along the West Wall outside of our office.

You may do this via our website at  Name and Address Change Request, on the back of your payment coupon or by sending us a signed note requesting the change. Be sure to include your parcel number(s) on all correspondence with our office.

To make a change to the mailing address for the owner record, you will need to contact the Yakima County Assessor's Office at 509-574-1100.

Note: Changing the taxpayer name or address is solely for the purpose of receiving a property tax and assessment statement. It does not change the ownership or vesting. To change the ownership or vesting on a parcel, please seek legal guidance.

Our office may not have your most current mailing address. However, you do not need the property tax statement to make your payment. You can find your tax and assessment information under the heading of Pay Property Taxes. Just include your parcel number with your payment to avoid any complications in having your payment applied.

Please remember, even if you have not received your property tax statement, it is your responsibility to pay the taxes in a timely manner to avoid delinquent charges.

This information is located under the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 458-18-215 and may be accessed in the Paying Property Taxes Under Protest (PDF). You must follow the directions provided explicitly in order to maintain your right to an appeal.

Real property foreclosure begins May 1st for real property taxes/assessments delinquent 3 or more years.   Personal property taxes where current year's taxes are less than $50, must have 1st half paid by April 30th to avoid Distraint and associated costs.  Personal property taxes where current year's taxes are more than $50 for the entire year, must be paid by October 31st to avoid Distraint and associated costs.

If a parcel is sold at a foreclosure sale for an amount greater than the minimum bid, the surplus monies (excess proceeds) can be claimed by the previous recorded title owner provided that all registered liens having a legal right to claim the money have been satisfied.  If a valid claim has not been received after a three year period, the surplus is deposited into County funds. (RCW 84.64.080).  

The amount of fees or compensation provided to third parties assisting in locating or purporting to locate any property or surplus funds is limited to 5% of the value returned to the rightful owner under RCW 63.29.350.  Any person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than the amount of the fee or charge he or she has sought or received or contracted for, and not more than 10 times such amount, or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both.

Any property/mobile home located in the following city limits are subject to a 1.78% excise tax fee plus an additional $5 for a state technology fee: Grandview, Granger, Mabton, Sunnyside, Union Gap, Wapato, Yakima and Zillah.

All other locations are subject to a 1.53% excise tax fee plus the additional $5 for the state technology fee.

Note: Excise tax and/or transfer fees must be paid in cash or certified funds.

The Washington State Department of Revenue maintains the most current excise tax rates.

There is a Real Estate Excise Tax Supplemental Statement (PDF) that must be signed by all parties, and it must accompany the completion of a Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit and your conveyance document.