Deferrals

1. The disabled citizens’ deferral is for Oregon homeowners, under the age of 62, who are collecting federal Social Security benefits.

2. The senior citizens’ deferral is for Oregon homeowners over the age of 62.

Completed applications for both programs are accepted at the county assessor's office between January 1 (or the first business day) and April 15. If you miss this time frame to file timely, you may file late between April 16 and December 1 with a filing fee payable to the county. The late filing fee is 10% of the tax amount from your most recent tax statement (minimum of $20, maximum of $160).

Obtain the Oregon Property Tax Deferral for Disabled and Senior Citizens booklet by clicking on the link above. They are also available at the front counter in the assessor's office.

• Either husband or wife may apply, or both may apply jointly.
• Two or more people (other than a married couple) may apply for deferral as joint owners.
• You may apply for a deferral if you have a veteran’s exemption and still have property taxes to pay.
• You may be living away from the property due to medical reasons. In this case, you must send a medical statement to the Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) It must be on letterhead from your health care provider.

To qualify for either deferral program, your total household income must be less than $55,500 for income tax year 2022. Household income includes both taxable and non-taxable income, including Social Security and pensions. The income limit may change each year.

Your net worth limit is $500,000.

Net worth is the total of the current market value for all of your assets minus any debts. It doesn't include the value of the home for which you're claiming property tax deferral, the cash value of your life insurance policies, or tangible personal property (vehicles, furniture, appliances, clothing, etc.) that you own.

Assets include:

• Real property (other than the property for deferral)
• Cash
• Checking and saving accounts
• Bonds
• Other investments minus any debts

You must have a recorded deed to the property or you must be buying the property under a recorded sales contract. You may have a revocable trust.

You must own and live in your home for at least five years before April 15 of the year in which you apply for the program, unless you had to live away from it for health reasons.

You must show proof of homeowner's insurance that covers fire and other casualties.

The real market value (RMV) of your home (as shown on the prior year's property tax statement) is limited to a certain percentage of the county median RMV. The limit increases based on the number of years you have owned and lived in the home.

Either:

• You don't have a reverse mortgage, or
  
• You were on the Property Tax Deferral program with a reverse mortgage prior to 2011 or you have acquired a reverse mortgage in years 2011-2016.
  

You are NOT eligible for a deferral if you have a life estate in the property.

For the Disabled Citizens’ Property Tax Deferral, you must be receiving federal Social Security disability benefits on December 31 of the year before you apply. You must send a copy of your federal Social Security award letter with your deferral application.

For the Senior Citizens’ Property Tax Deferral, you must be at least 62 years old by April 15 of the year you apply.

Once you are approved for the deferral program, you can submit a Delay of Foreclosure form to the county assessor's office. The form is included in the Disabled or Senior Citizen Deferral application packet. Please contact the assessor's office if you need a copy of the Delay of Foreclosure form or click the applicable link above. 

The assessor's office will note this delay on your property account. As long as you are on the deferral program, the county will not move forward on any action to foreclose due to non-payment of property taxes. You will be able to continue making payments as you can on the past due taxes.