For immediate release: Oct. 15, 2020
Property tax payments due Nov. 16, 2020
Multnomah County offers discounts, online payment options, and account information
Multnomah County has begun mailing about 300,000 real and personal property tax statements and value notices to property owners. Property owners should receive statements from the Multnomah County Division of Assessment, Recording, and Taxation by Nov. 1.
Property tax payments are due Nov. 16, 2020. The County recognizes that community members are experiencing unprecedented economic challenges because of COVID-19. However, Oregon state law sets the deadline that property tax payments are due and requires the County to charge interest on properties with delinquent tax amounts. Multnomah County does not have the authority to waive interest charges as a result of late property tax payments, and the Oregon State Legislature has not, at this time, extended the property tax deadline.
Property owners can receive a discount by paying in full, or pay in installments to better manage the obligation. Taxpayers who pay the full 2020 property tax by Nov. 16, 2020, or submit a full payment postmarked by that date will receive a 3 percent discount.
Taxpayers who pay two-thirds of the 2020 property tax by Nov. 16, 2020, or have the two-thirds payment postmarked by that date, will receive a 2 percent discount.
Taxes may also be paid — without discount — in three, one-third installments due Nov. 16, 2020, Feb. 16, 2021, and May 17, 2021.
To protect the health and safety of the Multnomah County community during the COVID-19 pandemic, the County is encouraging people to pay using one of our contact-free options below.
Taxpayers can pay their taxes:
-
Online: Visit Proptax.multco.us for more information on the various online payment options including electronic check. eCheck is the safest, most convenient option, and cheaper than buying a stamp.
-
By phone: 1-833-610-5715 (third-party fees apply). Point and Pay’s automated phone system is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. Options include an electronic check, credit, and debit card. Convenience fees apply.
-
At a 24-hr dropbox Contact free payment drop boxes are available at the following locations beginning Nov. 6 to Nov. 16. Checks only, no cash.
-
Gresham Library 385 NW Miller Avenue, Gresham, OR 97030
-
Midland Library 805 SE 122nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97233
-
Green Zebra Grocery 3011 N Lombard St., Portland, OR 97217
-
-
In-person at the Multnomah County Division of Assessment, Recording, and Taxation Office, located at 501 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214.
-
Tax payments can be made on the first floor in Suite 175, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, Oct. 15 to Nov. 18.
-
Taxpayers coming to pay in person, please understand:
-
Masks are required for service.
-
Hours for payments are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
-
Physical distancing measures will be implemented.
-
Reduced staff will be on site. Expect long wait times.
-
-
At the front door of the Multnomah Building at 501 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214 check payments can be dropped at a staffed dropbox to avoid the wait.
-
-
By mail by sending a check to P.O. Box 2716, Portland, Oregon 97208-2716. Payments must be postmarked by Nov. 16 to be considered timely. Mail payments early to avoid any problems with postmarking at the post office.
For specific property account information (values, taxes, balances due, etc.), please visit www.multcoproptax.org.
During this time, payments will take longer than normal to post. We appreciate patience as we work to process all tax payments in the order they are received. If a payment has not been processed by Dec. 1, give us a call.
Remember, all Multnomah County offices will be closed Nov. 11, 2020, in observance of Veterans Day.
Questions about the tax statement?
Included in the envelope with the statement is a property tax statement guide which explains many aspects of the statement, ways to pay, and other information. That document is available on our website in six languages other than English. Go to multco.us/tax-statement to find those translated guides.
Is the statement yellow?
This means another party has requested this bill (mortgage company, Oregon Department of Revenue, etc). We encourage taxpayers to check with the other party before paying the bill.
Countywide, taxes increased just over 5 percent from 2019
In Oregon, property taxes are determined based on voter-approved Measure 5, and Measure 50. The taxes are calculated using the assessed value, which generally increases 3 percent per year on properties. Exceptions apply for new construction.
Property taxes support 65 local government taxing districts in Multnomah County with differing boundaries. As a result, individual tax rates may increase based on bonds or levies approved by voters in a particular area, and they also can decrease if bonds or levies expire. The taxing districts include school districts and local government agencies including cities, Metro, TriMet, the Port of Portland, and fire, water, and special assessment districts. As a taxing district, Multnomah County retains about 24 cents of every dollar collected. The remainder is distributed to other taxing districts.
The total of all property taxes and special assessments to be collected for all districts in Multnomah County is $2.047 billion for the 2020 tax year, an increase of 5.11 percent from $1.947 billion in 2019.
More information on property taxes in Oregon is available from the Oregon Department of Revenue on the property tax page.
How to appeal property tax
PLEASE NOTE: Property values were determined as of January 1st, 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic, and are not reflective of current market conditions.
In Oregon, taxes are calculated on the lesser of Maximum Assessed Value or Real Market Value. The result is called the Assessed Value. Taxpayers may appeal the Real Market Value and/or the Assessed Value of their property with the Board of Property Tax Appeals through Dec. 31, 2020.
The Board hears appeals beginning in February 2021 and through April 15, 2021. Call 503-988-3326 to receive a petition for an appeal, or a brochure that outlines the appeal process. Additional forms and information are available at www.multcotax.org or 501 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214 (limited openings, see above).
