Auburn Property Tax Records
Auburn property tax records are split between two counties. Most of the city sits in King County, but a portion of Auburn lies in Pierce County. To search tax records, find assessed values, or pay property taxes, you need to know which county your parcel is in. This page covers how to look up Auburn property tax records through both county systems and what to expect from each.
Auburn Overview
Auburn Property Tax Records by County
Auburn is one of a few Washington cities that straddles a county line. The bulk of Auburn, including most residential and commercial areas near downtown, falls in King County. A smaller portion in the south and southeast lies in Pierce County. Property taxes are billed, collected, and administered separately by each county. Your tax bill comes from whichever county your parcel sits in, not from the City of Auburn itself.
If you are not sure which county applies to your address, the quickest way to find out is to search the King County Parcel Viewer or the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Information Portal. Both tools show parcel boundaries and will confirm the county for any given address. You can also call the Auburn City Clerk's office at 253-931-3039 and they can help point you to the right county portal.
The City of Auburn collects some local taxes such as utility tax and business taxes, but real property tax is a county function in Washington. Under state law, county assessors establish assessed values and county treasurers bill and collect taxes. Auburn receives a share of those revenues but has no direct role in the billing process.
King County Auburn Property Tax Records
For Auburn parcels in King County, the King County Department of Assessments handles valuation and the King County Treasury Operations handles billing and collection. King County bills and collects all property taxes levied within its boundaries, including the city and school district portions that appear on your statement.
The primary search tool for King County property records is eReal Property, a free online database maintained by the King County Assessor. You can search by address, parcel number, or condominium complex name. Each result shows the full property report, including assessed value for land and buildings, ownership, legal description, sales history, and current and prior year tax amounts. No login is required and the system is available around the clock.
The King County Assessor is at 500 Fourth Avenue, Room 700, Seattle, WA 98104. The main line is (206) 296-7300. For Auburn tax payment questions, contact King County Treasury Operations at 201 South Jackson Street, Suite 710, Seattle, WA 98104. Their phone number is (206) 263-2890. Payments can be made online through the King County property tax payment portal, by mail, or in person.
The interactive King County Parcel Viewer is a GIS map that lets you click directly on a parcel to pull up assessment data. It links from the map directly to the eReal Property report for any parcel, which is convenient if you do not know your parcel number but know roughly where a property is located.
The King County eReal Property database is published on the county's open data portal and updated regularly from the assessor's property information system. Tax account numbers for real property in King County are 10 or 12 digits. Personal property tax account numbers are 8 digits. You can find your account number on your tax statement or by using the eReal Property search tool.
The screenshot below shows the King County property tax payment portal, which Auburn property owners in King County use to pay their tax bills online.
Visit payment.kingcounty.gov to pay Auburn property taxes online or view your tax statement.
The portal processes payments through InvoiceCloud on behalf of the King County Treasurer. Credit and debit card payments carry a 2.35% service fee with a $2.00 minimum. eCheck payments are typically lower cost.
The image below is from the King County Assessor's department page, which serves Auburn property owners in the King County portion of the city.
The King County Assessor's Office maintains all valuation and assessment records for King County parcels in Auburn.
The assessor revalues all property annually and mails value notices when changes are made. If you disagree with your assessed value, you can appeal to the King County Board of Equalization.
Pierce County Auburn Tax Records
For Auburn parcels in Pierce County, the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer handles both valuation and collection. The office maintains records for approximately 350,000 properties across the county and serves over 75 taxing districts. Auburn properties on the Pierce County side appear in their system alongside those from Tacoma, Puyallup, and other cities.
You can search Pierce County property tax records using the Assessor-Treasurer Information Portal (ATIP). Search by parcel number, address, or owner name. The portal shows assessed values, tax amounts, property characteristics, aerial imagery, and comparable sales. It is mobile-friendly and updated regularly.
Tax statements for Pierce County properties are mailed each February. If taxes due are $50 or less, full payment is required by April 30. If more than $50, you can pay in two installments: first half by April 30, second half by October 31. Payments can be made online through the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer portal, by mail, or in person at 2401 South 35th Street, Tacoma, WA 98409. A drop box at that location is available for after-hours payments. For questions, call the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer at (253) 798-6111.
Note: Failure to receive a tax statement does not waive interest or penalties if payment is late.
How to Search Auburn Property Tax Records Online
For most Auburn residents, the King County eReal Property tool is the right starting point. Go to blue.kingcounty.com/Assessor/eRealProperty and enter your street address or parcel number. The system returns a detailed property report. You can see assessed land value, building value, total assessed value, and the tax amount levied. You can also see a full sales history and prior year assessments.
For Pierce County Auburn properties, use ATIP at atip.piercecountywa.gov. The search options include parcel number, address, and owner name. Results show assessment history, tax distribution by taxing district, and links to payment options. You can also find comparable sales data that the assessor uses when valuing your property.
The City of Auburn Public Records Request portal at auburnwa.gov handles city-held documents. This is where you would go for city permits, zoning records, or other city documents. The City Clerk's office is at 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA 98001. You can also submit requests online or call 253-931-3039.
Auburn Property Tax Exemptions and Appeals
Senior citizens and people with disabilities may qualify for a property tax exemption program. In King County, the Assessor's Office administers this program for qualifying Auburn residents. In Pierce County, the Assessor-Treasurer handles it. Both programs have income limits and require that the applicant own and occupy the property as their primary residence.
Washington State's senior and disabled exemption program is authorized under RCW 84.36.381. Qualifying households may have excess levies reduced or eliminated, and in some cases the regular levy can be reduced as well. Income limits and exemption levels vary by year and county, so contact the relevant assessor's office for the current amounts.
If you believe your assessed value is too high, you can appeal to the county Board of Equalization. In King County, file your appeal with the King County Board of Equalization at 516 Third Avenue, Room 1222, Seattle, WA 98104. In Pierce County, contact the Pierce County Board of Equalization. Both counties require you to file within a set deadline after receiving your value notice. Property tax appeals are governed by RCW 84.48.
The eReal Property system shown below is the main King County search tool for Auburn property assessment data, tax history, and ownership records.
Access the King County eReal Property Search to look up Auburn property tax account information by address or parcel number.
The eReal Property search is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without any login or account creation required.
King County Property Tax Records
Most Auburn property owners pay taxes through King County. For a full overview of King County property tax records, assessment tools, payment options, exemption programs, and the appeals process, visit the King County page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Auburn. Each one has its own property tax records page with local assessor and payment information.