By Jody Wiser, Tax Fairness Oregon

Oregon’s Property Tax Deferral Program would pay your taxes for you, if you qualify. It would give you spending money you would otherwise set aside to pay your taxes.

Basically, the property tax program is a loan from the state until the home is sold or transferred to other owners. The State pays the taxes in full in November, receiving the 3% discount for taxes paid in full. It is a good program for seniors (62 or older) and SSDI recipients who want to stay in their home but struggle to save for their property taxes. The interest on the loan is 6% simple interest.

These rules apply for homeowners 62 and above and those receiving SSDI: Home owned and lived in for five or more years; 2024 household income from all sources of less than $60,000; Assets of less than $500,000 (home and car not counted)—investments, cash, IRAs, rental property, etc. count as assets; Value of home limitation varies by county and number of years owned and in lived in.

For those wishing to apply for the deferral there will be a fee of $20 and $180 (depending on taxes due) for the 2025-26 tax bills due this November. The deadline to file is December 1.

For information, visit this web page at Oregon.gov or just google Oregon Property Tax Deferral.

Tax Fairness Oregon is an advocacy group. You can learn more and sign up for the newsletter on their site.