State Tax Laws > Property Taxes > Washington (Summary)

Tax Type: Current use value based on forest productivity combined with a yield tax.

Description: Current use based on ability of land to grow trees and a 5% yield tax.

Law: The 1971 Forest Tax Law Chap. 84.33 RCW, Revised 1993. WAC 458-40-500 to 458-40-600

Objective: Provide a uniform, predictable and fair tax for forest landowners, ensure that taxes will not destroy economic incentives for growing timber on private timber lands.

Forest Tax Program Requirements

Min/Max Acreage: 20 (or 5 if open space)

Min. Stocking Growth: N/A

Forest Management Plan: Land owner prepares a timber management plan as part of the application process.

Duration of Enrollment: 10 years

Penalties for Use Change: Rollback 10 years

Program Administration

State: Department of Revenue advises the counties on management plans and answers questions on the administration of the statutes.

County Tax Assessor and Commissioner: County Tax Assessor administers the program.

University: N/A

Landowner: N/A

For a more in depth discussion of Washington property taxes click here!