Tenants at the Coupeville Wharf will see a return of almost $18,000 in taxes paid between 2011 and 2015.

Through an exemption discovered by Port of Coupeville staff, tenants at the port-owned property were actually exempt from paying a 12.84 percent leasehold tax.

The exemption applies to tenants that rent a municipally owned historic property in a historical reserve.

The port will refund the amount and submit proof of reimbursement to the state Department of Revenue, which will reimburse the port, with interest.

“They cannot make the interest calculation until they have a date on which to base it,” Day said. “We of course, have made sure we are entitled to refund this money and have been assured by the Dept. of Revenue that we will receive reimbursement.”

The port will then give the interest amount back to tenants as well.

“The port receives none of these funds, but the tenants are entitled to the exemption,” Day said. “Over time, it will save the port money in not having to calculate and process the leasehold taxes for the properties within the reserve.”