Jefferson County (Washington) Assessor: the Disabled Veteran Exemption Route

The exemption is the State's; see the Washington entry on RCW 84.36.381. Jefferson County's Assessor publishes its own working of it on the Senior / Disabled Exemption page: Qualification by "Age or Disability" needs one of: "At least age 61 by December 31st of the previous year"; "100% military service-connected disability"; or a Social Security disability determination or a doctor's letter. That list is the pre-2027 rating route: chapter 200, Laws of 2025 cut the veteran floor to a 40% combined evaluation for taxes collected in 2027 and after, and a total rating for unemployability counts at any percentage, so a veteran rated 40% to 70% qualifies too. Ownership and residency: the home must be owned (fee, life estate or contract purchase) by December 31 of the assessment year, be the primary residence occupied more than six months a year (the exemption reaches an ADU on the same parcel and up to 5 acres; vacation homes, vacant land and non-assessed structures do not qualify). Income: "Your annual gross income cannot exceed $45,000 (Income Year 2025 for Taxes Payable in 2026)" and "$71,000 (Income Year 2026 for Taxes Payable in 2027)" - all household income, with a new $7,500 standard deduction each for the applicant, spouse or registered domestic partner in income year 2026. The page notes "Legislation Increases Senior & Disabled Persons Income Limits for Tax Purposes, effective for 2027-2029 Taxes", linking the Department of Revenue's threshold table. To apply: the IRS tax return for the qualifying year and supporting documents - "Proof of age &/or disability", the trust agreement if ownership is in trust, the disability letter, and the 1099s - to the Assessor's Office. The Assessor's message for the year: "Starting this year, the senior (61 and over) and disable[d] persons exemption has been expanded with a maximum qualifying household 2026 gross income of $71,000 rather than $45,000. This applies to your owned principal place of residence in Jefferson County (more than 6 months). You will need to provide the Assessor documentation of your 2026 income. Qualifying exemptions apply to the 2027 taxes." Where and when. Jefferson County Assessor's Office, (360) 385-9105, in person at 1820 Jefferson St. (Courthouse) or by mail at PO Box 1220, Port Townsend, WA 98368.