Section 458-12-295. Exemption—Agricultural products—Grains, flour, fruit, vegetables and fish—Cancellation.

All agricultural and horticultural products, other than forest products, livestock and fowls, shall be exempt from assessment when the ownership of the property remains in the original producer on the 1st day of January following harvesting. (RCW 84.44.060) Such agricultural products shall be exempt even though stored in a different location from the owner's farm so long as the ownership remains in the original producer. (TCR 4-1-1938)

Grains and flour, fruit and fruit products, vegetables and vegetable products, and fish and fish products, while being transported to or held in storage in a public or private warehouse shall be exempt from taxation if actually shipped to points outside the state on or before April 30th of the first year for which they would otherwise be taxable. In order to claim the exemption, proof of shipment must be furnished to the county assessor before June 1st of the year for which exemption is claimed. (RCW 84.36.140; RCW 84.36.150)

The county assessor shall list and assess all products covered by RCW 84.36.140 as of January 1st of each year without regard to any average inventory. The assessment shall be cancelled in whole or in proportionate part when the assessor receives documentary proof that the property was actually shipped to points outside the state on or before April 30th of the year. (RCW 84.36.150)

Assessment of grain shall also be subject to cancellation if documentary proof is furnished that the grain was milled into flour and the flour was actually shipped to points outside the state on or before April 30th. (RCW 84.36.150)

The agricultural products exempted by RCW 84.36.140 may also be exempt under the "Freeport exemption" provided by RCW 84.36.171- 84.36.174. (AGO 65-66 No. 25, 6-16-65)

This exemption shall be liberally construed to effectuate the purpose of encouraging the storage of grains and flour, fruits, vegetables, fish, and their products within the state of Washington, and a broad definition shall be applied in determining whether a given commodity constitutes grain or flour, fruits, vegetables, fish, or their products, whether such commodities are edible and whether, while in the hands of the first processor, such commodities are suitable and designed for human consumption or whose ingredients are solely intended for such purpose. (RCW 84.36.162.)

[Order PT 68-6, § 458-12-295, filed 4/29/68.]

Order PT 68-6, § 458-12-295, filed 4/29/68.