Deadline Approaching for Property Tax Deferral for Disabled, Senior Citizens, March 21

The filing deadline for Oregon’s property tax deferral programs is fast approaching. Both current participants that need to recertify their eligibility this year and new applicants for the programs have until April 15 to file the necessary paperwork, according to program manager Bronson Rueda. “Eligible Oregonians who want their property taxes paid in November must meet the April 15 filing deadline,” Rueda said. “If we don’t get their forms by April 15, we can’t pay their property taxes this year.” Only certain current participants need to recertify this year. They received recertification forms by mail in February and need to return them directly to the Department of Revenue. New applicants for deferral should send their paperwork to their county assessor’s office. Deferral allows eligible seniors and people with disabilities to have the state pay property taxes on their behalf until they move, sell their home, or die. A lien is placed on their home, and all taxes, interest, and fees must be repaid before the lien is removed. Oregon’s deferral programs have 6,500 active participants and more than 2,000 inactive accounts. Eligibility criteria have changed in recent years, so citizens interested in deferral should obtain the most recent application form or contact Revenue’s Deferral Unit for the latest information. Applications and information about the program can be obtained from county assessors’ offices, by calling 503-945-8348, or by visiting www.oregon.gov/dor/deferral.