Public school districts in Skagit County are reeling after a line item from the 2022 tax assessment was missed, making it appear as though there was a significant increase from year to year.

“We are getting a lot of calls about the 2023 tax statement,” said Brett Greenwood, Sedro-Woolley School District Executive Director of Business, Operations and Student Support.

According to a press release from the Skagit County Treasurer’s Office, the mistake was due to a software glitch.

“The comparison for residents’ tax distribution from 2022 to 2023 does not include a second line item for local school districts,” according to the release. “The line items for school districts were combined in 2023 giving the appearance of a larger increase than the actual increase.”

The missing line item has resulted in a large number of residents contacting their local districts with concerns.

“This makes it appear that our tax collection went through the roof,” Greenwood said. “In reality, our tax rates actually decreased year over year.”

School districts depend on local taxes to fill the gap between state and federal funding for facilities, programs, and services from voter-approved bonds and levies.

“The 2023 tax statements that were sent out from the County did not include the Enrichment and Operations levy tax amount in the 2022 column giving an incorrect total,” said Valori Vargas, Burlington-Edison School District’s Director of Finance and Operations. “The actual difference between the two years is much less than it appears on the statement.”

The county included a separate piece of paper explaining the missing line item, but it’s apparent from the phone calls and emails school districts are receiving that the correction hasn’t been viewed. 

Washington State law provides two tax benefit programs for senior citizens and individuals who are disabled: property tax exemptions and property tax deferrals. Call the Skagit County Assessor’s Office at 360-416-1780 for more information.

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2023 Tax Statement Skagit County PRESS RELEASE

Due to a software glitch, the comparison for residents’ tax distribution from 2022 to 2023 does not include a second line item for local school districts. The line items for school districts were combined in 2023 giving the appearance of a larger increase than the actual increase.

This also affects the appearance of total taxes paid for 2022. Please refer to your 2022 tax statement for this amount and the amount you actually paid in local school taxes. If you would like a copy of your 2022 tax statement, please call (360) 416-1750 and request a copy of your 2022 statement.

The 2023 Current Year Tax amount due is correct. First half tax payments are due on April 30. Payments can be made online or by check and either dropped in our drop box at the courthouse or mailed using the corresponding tax coupon that came with your statement.