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| Senior, disabled citizen property tax deferral applications due April 15 | ||
| 03/17/2008 | ||
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SALEM—April 15 is the filing deadline for two property tax deferral programs: the Disabled Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program and the Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program. Norm Miller, Oregon Department of Revenue’s deferral program manager, said these programs help low-income seniors and people with disabilities continue living in their homes. “Both deferral programs allow qualified taxpayers to defer payment of their property taxes. The state pays the taxes to the county, maintains the account, and charges 6-percent simple interest, which is also deferred,” he said. The state places a lien on the property. The lien is paid when the taxpayer sells the property, permanently moves off the property—other than for short-term health reasons—or if the property changes ownership. A surviving spouse may continue on the deferral program if they qualify. “We also work with the property heirs to arrange for repayment of the deferral,” Miller said. To qualify for either program, the property must be the taxpayer’s main residence. They must have a deed or recorded sales contract. Annual household income must be less than $37,500 for the year before they apply. Participants may stay on either program as long as their federal adjusted gross income is not more than $37,500. If a participant’s household income goes over the limit, the department may defer a portion of the property tax. To qualify for the Disabled Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program, you must meet the income and property-ownership requirements. You also must be receiving or be eligible to receive federal Social Security Disability benefits. To qualify for the Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program, you must meet the income and property-ownership requirements, and be at least 62 years old by April 15. Applications and information are available at your county assessor’s office or the Department of Revenue. You may also call 1-800-356-4222, toll-free from an Oregon prefix, or 503-378-4988 (Salem), or e-mail questions.dor@state.or.us. TTY (hearing or speech impaired), call 1-800-886-7204. Because of the large number of calls to the cutomer service center, you may experience extended waiting times, or get a busy signal. |
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