SEATTLE — The Seattle Times has found some property tax breaks designed for needy seniors have been granted to some pretty expensive King County homes. And many qualified people haven’t sought the property-tax relief.
Homeowners 61 and older with a total household income of $40,000 or less, who are retired due to a disability or are a veteran with a service-connected disability, may qualify for the program.
Census data show close to 40,000 homeowners in King County would meet the requirements, but not quite 15,000 are enrolled.
Among those receiving the exemption, 118 have houses that were assessed at more than $1 million in 2015. For eligibility, income alone is considered — not assets such as home equity.
