Benton and Franklin taxes still due April 30 despite shutdown
Property taxes are due Thursday.
And while the treasurers in Benton and Franklin counties cannot grant complete waivers for the bills, they are offering payment plans for residents and business owners struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re understanding what’s going on and we’re trying to help people in these tough times,” said Josie Koelzer, who has three payment options available in Franklin County.
Koelzer told the Tri-City Herald that so far eight people have signed up with her office. Six of those are for business properties, and the other two are for homes.
In Benton County, Ken Spencer said he’s heard from a number of homeowners and owners of small businesses and hotels wanting to take advantage of their one payment assistance plan. He couldn’t give an exact number of participants so far.
Spencer said he knows some Washington counties have been able to extend the property tax deadline, but told the Herald he has no wiggle room with taxes because Benton County also has bills and bonds that need to be paid.
“Looking at our financial situation, there is no way that I can justify us doing that. I’m amazed that they can,” he said. “We haven’t had any bond issuers give us an extension on our rates, and to borrow at reasonable rates we need to pay our bills.”
Payment arrangements must be made with the county office by April 30, the deadline for the first half of 2020 property taxes. Taxpayers must fill out paperwork agreeing to the payment schedule.
The offices are closed to the public in both counties, but Koelzer and Spencer say their staff are working regular hours and available to help with questions as the deadline looms.
Benton County is letting property owners pay 50 percent of their first payment, then spread the remaining 50 percent into equal payments over the next three months.
Spencer said there is no penalty for the late payments, but under state law his office must charge interest. The interest will be collected with the final payment in July.
Franklin County taxes
In Franklin County, property owners wanting help during the coronavirus shutdown are asked to review the three options and decide the best one for them before contacting the office to apply.
Koelzer said under the 50-50 plan, half of the payment can be made April 30 and the other half in May. No interest will be charged.
Under the six-month payment plan, a person pays whatever they can for their first-half payment by April 30. Then, the remainder is divided up over the following six months. A 1 percent interest charge will apply to the balance owed every month.
The eight-month plan covers the full year’s payments for property taxes. Second-half payments typically are due Oct. 31.
But under the eight-month plan, a person again would choose their payment amount for April 30. The remainder then is divided over eight months, with the year’s final payment Nov. 30. An interest charge also will apply every month.
“Because the majority of Franklin County property taxes flow through to other entities, such as taxing districts, public schools, and the requirements of providing essential governmental services such as law enforcement and judicial processes, we have determined that it is necessary to keep the original due date of April 30,” Koelzer said on her website.
She encourages people not to wait until the last minute to decide if they need to work out a payment plan.
In Benton County:
▪ Call 509-735-8505
▪ Email treasurer@co.benton.wa.us
▪ Office hours by phone — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday
▪ Payment drop boxes for checks — Kennewick Annex, 5600 W. Canal Drive, Kennewick; and Benton County Courthouse, 620 Market St., Prosser
In Franklin County:
▪ Call 509-545-3518
▪ Email treasurer@co.franklin.wa.us
▪ Office hours by phone — 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday
▪ Payment drop box for checks — Franklin County Courthouse, 1016 N. Fourth Ave., Pasco. Envelopes available inside security building.
Payments for both counties also can be mailed, but must be postmarked by April 30.