When are property taxes due and payable?

The County Assessor has until January 15th to certify the tax roll to the County Treasurer. Once the Treasurer has balanced the tax statement billing to the tax rolls from the Assessors Office, the Treasurer will certify the tax rolls for collection, generally in mid to late February. Tax Current year taxes are due in full on April 30th each year. Taxpayer's have the option of making two installment payments on taxes $50 and over. If half payments are exercised, the first half is due on or before April 30th and the second half is due on or before October 31st.

Payments must be postmarked no later than April 30th for full year or first half payments. Payments must be postmarked no later than October 31st for second half payments. Please mail early, the US Postal Service postmark is the determining payment date for payments not delivered by the due date (RCW1.12.070). Check with your local post office for pickup and delivery schedules if you have any concerns about your payment being postmarked timely. Payments postmarked after the due dates listed above will be returned for interest and penalty charges due.

When are property tax statements mailed?

The Mason County Treasurer's Office mails one property tax statement annually to the property owner of record after the taxes are certified for payment by the Treasurer this is generally in the February/March time frame. This statement includes coupons for the first and second half payments.

Can I receive my tax statement electronically?

Yes, The Mason County Treasurer's Office contracts with ENOTICE.

It's free – go to https://enoticesonline.com to sign up.

What if my property taxes are paid by my mortgage company?

DO NOT SEND PAYMENT The Mason County Treasurer's Office does not track mortgage company information. The annual tax statement is mailed to the owner of record at the address of record. The Treasurer believes as the ultimate responsible party, the owner of record should be made aware of the amount of taxes due and how such taxes are distributed each year. You may forward it to your mortgage company if you wish, however most mortgage companies request the tax rolls electronically and do not require the physical statement.

When are property taxes delinquent? What are the delinquent charges?

Property taxes are delinquent on May 1st for first half and full year and November 1st for second half each year. Per RCW 84.56.020 (5) Delinquent Tax Payments: Interest, penalties are as follows:

Until December 31, 2022, the interest rate is 12 percent per annum for all nonresidential real property, residential real property, and personal property. Penalties on delinquent taxes under this section may not be assessed beginning January 1,2022 through December 31, 2022.

Beginning January 1, 2023, the interest rates are as follows:

Nine (9) percent per annum for all residential real property with four or fewer units per taxable parcel, including manufactured/mobile homes for taxes levied in 2023 and after.

Twelve (12) percent per annum for all other property.

Beginning January 1, 2023, the penalties are as follows:

Delinquent taxes are subject to penalties on nonresidential real property, residential real property with greater than four units per taxable parcel and personal property.

A penalty of three (3) percent of the amount of tax delinquent is assessed on June 1st of the year in which the tax is due.

An additional penalty of eight (8) percent is assessed on the delinquent tax amount on December 1st of the year in which the tax is due.

Penalties may not be assessed on residential real property with four or fewer units per taxable parcel, including manufactured/mobile homes.

What payment types are accepted?

The Mason County Treasurer's Office accepts the following types of payments: More information is available at Property Tax Payment Information.

Cash, Check, Cashier's Check or Money Order

Bill Payer Payments (be sure that the payment date is no later than the due dates specified above and list full property tax parcel numbers.)

Credit Card and Debit Card (using a third party vendor – fee's apply – for more information click here.

Automatic Tax Payments: You can apply to have your taxes automatically deducted from your US checking or savings account on April 30th and October 31st each year. Please click here for the application form. Please note that application forms are due by April 15th for 1st half deductions and October 15th for 2nd half deductions.

Certified fund (i.e. bank certified check, cashier's check or cash) are required on all delinquent taxes subject to distraint and or foreclosure proceedings.

Where do I mail my property tax payment?

Property tax payments should be made payable to the Mason County Treasurer and mailed to:

Mason County Treasurer's Office
PO Box 429
Shelton, WA 98584-0429

Where do I make a payment in person?

Payments can be made in person at the following address:

Mason County Treasurer's Office
411 N 5th St, Building 1, Second Floor
Shelton, WA 98584

A drive-up payment drop box is located in the alley adjacent to Mason County Building 1.

What is the contact information for the Treasurer's Office?

Office hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Office Phone Number:
Shelton 360-427-9670, Ext 475
Belfair 360-275-4467, Ext. 475
Fax 360-427-7267.

Property tax information is available on line at our Paydici website

Additional property information is available at our Taxsifter website

Do you charge a returned item fee?

Yes, Mason County charges a $40 returned item fee on all payment types.

If I have delinquent property taxes, when will the County begin the foreclosure process?

Real property foreclosure occurs when taxes become three full years delinquent. Further information is available on our web page under Tax Foreclosure General Information.

Personal property taxes (i.e. business/mobile homes/boathouses) are subject to immediate seizure and distraint proceeding if delinquent May 1st of each year.

Do you offer payment plans?

There are two types of payment plans available to taxpayers: All installment plans require a signed contract. Please contact the Treasurer's Office at 360-427-9670 Ext 485 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Current Year Property Tax Payment Plan

RCW 84.56.020 now allows county treasurer's at their discretion to enter into current year property tax payment plans. The cutoff date for applying for a current year tax installment plan is dependent on the year the taxpayer wishes to start. Installment plans include a monthly payment processing charge.

Delinquent Property Tax Payment Plan

RCW 84.56.020 now allows county treasurer's at their discretion to enter into payment plans with taxpayers on delinquent property taxes. The cutoff date for applying for a delinquent property tax installment plan is twelve (12) months prior to the tax becoming three (3) years delinquent. (example: delinquent 2014 taxes would need to have been in a payment plan as of April 30, 2016). Installments including any outstanding interest, penalties and costs that have been assessed prior to the installment agreement will remain due and payable as provided, along with additional interest charges due on the unpaid taxes and will include a monthly payment processing charge.

What if I have questions concerning the assessed value, levy rates, legal descriptions or situs address?

These questions should be directed to the Mason County Assessor's Office or call 360-427-9670, Ext 491.

What if I disagree with the assessed value of my property?

These questions should be directed to the Mason County Assessor's Office or call 360-427-9670, Ext. 491.

What exemptions from paying property taxes are available?

There are a multitude of laws that allow for property tax exemptions. Property tax exemptions are managed by the Mason County Assessor's Office. The most common are the Senior Citizen and Disabled Persons exemptions. If you are 61 and older or disabled, own the home you live in and have an annual household income of $40,000 or less, you may qualify. Please contact the Mason County Assessor's Office or call 360-427-9670 Ext. 491 for more information.

How do I make an ownership or name changes to real or personal property?

To change the ownership of property it is necessary for you to record documentation with the Mason County Auditor's Office. We cannot give legal advice, please contact an attorney if you need assistance in processing the proper documents. There may be filing and recording fee's associated with the transaction.

For transfers of property a Real Estate Excise Tax and/or a Mobile Home Excise Tax Affidavit is required to be completed and filed with the County Treasurer, prior to recording the associated documents with the Auditor's Office.

Payment of Real Estate Excise tax must be paid at the time the Affidavit is filed with the County Treasurer. In the case of boundary line adjustments, segregations, parcel combinations, personal property or mobile home sales, payment of the current year and/or advance property taxes may be required before processing can be completed.

How long do I have to process my property transfer and pay excise tax?

Excise tax must be paid within 30 days of the date of sale to avoid delinquent interest and penalty charges.

Where can I get a Real Estate Excise Tax or Mobile Home Excise Tax Affidavit?

You can select, complete and print excise affidavits and supplemental statements by clicking here.