Kitsap County property owners hit by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will be allowed an extra month to pay their taxes, Treasurer Meredith Green announced Monday.

Taxes are still due April 30, but anyone who can't pay by then can defer payments up to May 31 without being charged interest. The temporary measure applies to both residential and commercial taxpayers. It doesn't apply to people with delinquent taxes.

"We recognize that many families and businesses are struggling to make ends meet during the economic crisis from the COVID-19 pandemic," Green said in a news release.

That said, Green encourages property owners who are financially able to pay their first half- or full-year property taxes early. Local governments and agencies providing essential services rely on property taxes, due twice yearly in April and October, as a source of income.

"This money goes to pay for our schools, our firefighters and our cities, the people on the front lines," Green said.

Without the cash flow from property taxes, some districts might not be able to meet their expense or debt obligations, which would also impact bond ratings, Green said.

Nothing changes for people who pay their property taxes as part of their monthly mortgage payment. In Kitsap County, that's about 50% of property tax accounts.

"The due date for the first half property taxes remains April 30, and we have been assured by mortgage escrow companies that they will pay the first half taxes by then," Green said.

Assessor Phil Cook has extended the deadline for filing business personal property affidavits (for equipment used in businesses) from April 30 to May 31. Reach the assessor's office at assessor@co.kitsap.wa.us.

“We realized that businesses may need to be focusing on higher priority issues and want to accommodate that need," Cook said.

The treasurer's office is closed to the public until further notice, but taxpayers can continue to transact business through the website, email, mail or phone calls. A skeleton crew is working in the office and other employees are working remotely.

Taxpayers who anticipate being unable to make their payment by May 31 should contact the treasurer's office after April 13 at treasurer@co.kitsap.wa.us "when we may have a return to normal staffing in the office and have a payment plan program developed.”

Even when the office reopens, Green encourages electronic payments to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus. A temporary reduction in the e-check fee to 50 cents has been negotiated.

"Please keep our employees safe so that we may continue to serve you," Green said.

With any question regarding county business, call 360-337-5777

Chris Henry reports on education and community news for the Kitsap Sun. Reach her at (360) 792-9219 or christina.henry@kitsapsun.com. Support coverage of local news by signing up today for a digital subscription.