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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-2006 Statement InsertDeschutes County 2005-2006 TAX YEAR Changes to the program include increased exemption amounts and increased income threshold for disabled veterans who have not been certified by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Increased exemption benefits for qualifying DISABLED VETERANS and qualifying SURVIVING SPOUSES OF HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERANS begins next year. Veterans who are 40% or more disabled and surviving spouses of honorably discharged veterans who have not remarried, may be entitled to a reduction in their property’s assessed value. Exemption benefits will increase next tax year - 2006-07. These amounts increase 103% annually. Please contact the Assessor’s Office for more information on these programs at 541-388-6508. 2005/06 2006/07 Disabled Veterans $13,930 $18,000 Surviving Spouses $10,460 $15,000 ADDRESS CORRECTIONS If your mailing address is differ- ent than the address printed on your tax statement, please indi- cate the change on the return address portion of your payment envelope, or notify the tax office in writing. Redmond Area The City of Redmond levied a tax rate of $6.0643, $0.10 less than its $6.1643 permanent rate authority (this is the same rate levied last year). For the second consecutive year the City of Redmond Airport Urban Renewal Plan Area will not be levying its special levy. The City of Redmond Downtown Urban Renewal Plan Area is levying only a portion of its full authority. South County Sunriver Service District levied $2.96 of its $3.45 permanent rate authority (up from last year's $2.91). VETERANS’ EXEMPTION PROGRAM INCREASES AMOUNTS FOR 2006-07 PROPERTY TAX AND ASSESSMENT INFORMATION November 15, 2005 Due Date! Full payments made by November 15 will receive a 3% discount. Payments of at least two-thirds, but less than full payment will receive a 2% discount of the amount paid, with the final one-third due May 15 . A minimum one-third payment must be made by November 15 to avoid interest charges. According to State statute, the interest rate on past due taxes is 1.33% per month, accruing on the 16th of each month. For those making less than full payments, the second payment will be due February 15, 2006 and the final payment will be due May 15, 2006. Please refer to your statement for payment options. The Tax Office will mail reminder notices to taxpayers owing taxes on February 15 and May 15. We Do Not Accept Debit or Credit Cards. Please note that Deschutes County does not accept debit or credit cards in payment of property taxes. Changes Affecting 2005-06 Property Tax Statements Is your Statement Green or Yellow?? Green: A Green statement is a tax bill that you are re- sponsible for paying. Yellow: A Yellow statement is your copy of a tax bill that has been forwarded to your mortgage company for payment. If you believe that you received the wrong color state- ment, or that the mortgage information listed on a yellow statement is in error, please contact your mortgage com- pany, or the Deschutes County Tax Office. New Exemption Program For Active Military Personnel A new program for certain ACTIVE MILITARY PERSONNEL and qualifying SURVIVING PERSONS OF MILITARY PERSONNEL killed in action serving under Title 10 of the United States Code for more than 178 consecutive days during the tax year may be eligible for an exemption on the first $60,000 of assessed value starting with this current tax year – 2005-06. This exemption will retroactively change this current year’s property tax bill, so if you feel you may qualify, or know some- one who may, please contact the Assessor’s Office for more information and applications. 1300 NW Wall St. Suite 200, Bend OR 97701 Assessor’s Office: 541-388-6508 Tax Office: 541-388-6540 We hope this flyer will help you better understand the information included in your tax statement. We would appreciate any suggestions you may have for improving our communications regarding property tax issues, terminology and the property tax assessment and collection process. Please contact our offices at the telephone numbers listed above. In Oregon, property taxes are collected by each County and distributed to each taxing district (schools, cities, county agencies, fire districts, road districts, etc.). Your property tax is based on two factors: 1) the assessed value of your property and 2) the tax rates and amounts levied by taxing districts in which your property is located. Generally, the increase in your assessed value is limited by Measure 50 to 3% unless there have been changes made to your property, such as new construction or a partition. The Assessor compares the Real Market Value (how much your property is worth, as determined by the Assessor, as of January 1 each year) to the Maximum Assessed Value (the 1995 value reduced by ten percent, plus changes that were made to your property, increased by 3% each year after 1997). The lower of these two values is your Assessed Value. However, your taxes may have increased by more than 3% due to voter-approved ballot measures. In addition, taxes may also increase or decrease due to other changes, such as the amount a district needs to pay for voter-approved bonded debt, or property annexations. For valuation questions, exemption and deferral information, please contact the Assessor’s Office: 541-388-6508 For tax payment and collection issues, please contact the Tax Office: 541-388-6540 If you will be 62 or older by April 15, 2006, you may be eligible to participate in the State of Oregon Senior Deferral Program for the Tax year 2006-2007 (next year). There is an income limitation to qualify and applications must be delivered to the Assessor’s Office by April 17, 2006. If you are receiving Federal Social Security disability and are under age 62, you may qualify for the Disabled Citizen deferral program. There is an income limitation to qualify and applications must be delivered to the Assessor’s Office by April 17, 2006, for the 2006-07 tax year (next year). Under these programs the State of Oregon pays the taxes for you and charges simple interest, at 6%. These amounts are deferred and payable upon any change in property ownership. Appealing Your Value Senior and Disabled Citizen Programs HOW TAXES ARE CALCULATED You may appeal your value for the 2005-06 tax year with the Board of Property Tax Appeals. Your petition must be postmarked or delivered to the County Clerk located at 1300 NW Wall, Suite 200, on or before January 3, 2006. For additional information on the appeal process call the County Clerk’s office at 541-388-6549. YOUR PROPERTY TAX STATEMENT The property tax statement enclosed is your value notice and property tax bill. It shows taxes imposed for the current tax year, July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006. In addition, the bill may include other taxes, fees, charges or assessments depending on the districts providing services to your property. How and Where To Pay Your Taxes 1. Tax payments must be delivered or postmarked on or before November 15, 2005. The U.S. Postal Service post- mark is the date the payment will be considered received, as mandated by State statute. Some postal facilities forward their mail to a larger Postal Center for postmarking. This may delay the actual date your payment is postmarked and jeopardize a significant discount on your taxes. Please take appropriate steps to insure your payment is postmarked on or before November 15, 2005. 2. If you live within Deschutes County, your tax bill is accom- panied by an insert that lists the banks within Deschutes County where you may pay your taxes through November 15, 2005. 3. You may also pay your taxes at the Deschutes County Tax Office, 1300 NW Wall Street in Bend. Our office is located on the second floor of the new Deschutes Services Center. There is an after hours drop box located at the east entrance of the County's offices (1300 NW Wall St. Suite 200, Bend OR 97701). Internet Access! Your property and tax information can be obtained at: www.deschutes.org Select “DIAL - Assessor Property Information” under Quick Links.