Making the most of property assessors offices in Oregon will require the office to assess the market value of a property. This value is then multiplied by the tax rate to determine the actual tax that the owner must pay on the property each year. Property tax rates may be set by organizations such as cities, counties or school districts.

Oregon property assessors offices use several factors such as location and size to determine the value of a property. This assessment is usually accurate and requires a property value appeal only on rare occasions. There are three things you need to do when evaluating the property value as determined by the assessor’s office:

1. Obtain the information the Oregon county assessors offices use to make the assessment. You should already know the size and location of the property, but the assessor also will be able to provide the value of other properties in your area.
2. Get a professional appraisal so you may compare it to the official Oregon property value.
3. Appeal the assessor's property value in Oregon if needed. Assessors have a specific procedure for accomplishing this.

Action Steps
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Learn more about the laws regarding an Oregon property assessment

Each state has laws that provide guidelines on the way that property values are assessed. There also may be laws that specify what property tax information is publicly available.

I recommend: The Department of Revenue in Oregon provides detailed information on laws regarding property taxes. The Oregon State Archives hosts laws regarding property taxes.

Find out how professional appraisers determine Oregon property values

Appraisers may use different methods to estimate the value of your property. You will want to ensure the professional appraiser considers the same factors as the property assessor.

I recommend: Southern Oregon Valuation Services describes its appraisal process and also offers a sample appraisal. Mid Oregon Appraisal Services is located in Bend and provides a FAQ on property appraisals.

Learn how your county performs an Oregon property assessment

Many counties have online resources available to help you with your property tax assessment. You should be able to locate this information on your county's website, in addition to other information regarding property taxes.

I recommend: The Yamhill County Assessor provides an overview of personal property assessment and the procedure for filing a property tax return. The Deschutes County Assessor's Office offers a summary of property assessment and also has links to many other resources regarding property taxes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with your Oregon property assessors to see if you qualify for any exemptions on your property assessment. Exemptions may be recognized for disabled veterans, senior citizens or non-profit organizations. File any appeals to your current tax assessment before the tax deadline. It will be more difficult to obtain a favorable ruling on an appeal after the deadline.

Property assessors offices in Oregon help business owners get the right tax appraisals for their business property. Oregon property assessment means fair and reasonable taxes on any type of personal or business property.

Oregon property assessors make documentation available to both mortgage companies and tax departments for appropriate tax levees against property values. When property values rise or fall, a thorough assessment means freeing up cash for expansion or a decrease in your tax bill.

Most Oregon property assessment happens yearly for tax purposes. Oregon land value, like most states, changes some each year, so it’s important to know your rights to fair assessment through property assessors offices in Oregon. Oregon property assessments will:

1. Give accurate property valuations for Oregon property value.

2. Provide assessment for use in determining summer and winter taxes.

3. Offer opportunities for property improvements due to increased Oregon land values.

4. Give leads on investment properties in revitalization areas.

Action Steps
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Work with Oregon property assessors certified through the State of Oregon Assessors Board

The state of Oregon Assessors Board has a training program available that leads to certification in property assessment. Using a certified property assessor guarantees high standards and accuracy.

I recommend: Visit the US Department of Labor website for information about the property assessor certification process. Check out RealEstateExpress.com for certification requirements in the State of Oregon.

Pull Oregon property values records for real estate comparisons and taxation rates

Public property records help property owners determine if their rate of property tax in fair and reasonable compared to that of their neighbors or other business owners. Property tax records are available through the tax assessor's office in your city.

I recommend: Visit the State of Oregon Department of Revenue website for information on obtaining or viewing public property tax documents for your community. Skipease is a fast and easy website with access to public tax documents for every state.

Use tax assessment records for insight into changes in property value in Oregon and market trends

When property values are down, it may be time to expand your holdings. As a business owner, it's important to think about expansion when assessments say you'll get more for your money.

I recommend: Realestateabc.com and Electronic Appraiser help property owners determine the value of their property and make comparisons to others in their area.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Request a detailed copy of your Oregon property assessment each year. If you feel your report is inaccurate or unfair in any way, file an appeal with the State of Oregon Assessors Board.
• •  File any appeals to your current property taxes before your tax deadline. Once the deadline is past, it's not as easy to get a favorable ruling on an appeal.

Employees who undergo property assessors offices in Oregon education and training must be able to determine the fair market value of real estate and personal property. Property assessors who work for the government may also assess property taxes by appraising the property and using prescribed tax schedules.

The qualifications necessary to work in property assessors offices of Oregon primarily depend on the value of the property and manner in which the transaction will be financed. These requirements can be grouped into three general categories:

1. Education. Property assessors in Oregon usually hold at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in economics, finance or real estate. A property assessor will also need to complete additional coursework that is specific to property appraisal. This specialized education is usually taken from a community college or professional organization for appraisers.

2. Experience. Property appraisers will also need to acquire on the job training under the supervision of a qualified professional appraiser.

3. Licenses and certifications. Appraisers who perform property appraisals are required by federal law to have a license if the transaction will involve a federal loan of $250,000 or more.

Action Steps
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Complete the courses needed to work in Oregon property assessors offices

There are a variety of on-site universities and distance learning classes that teach students to assess Oregon property values. These institutions should update their curriculum frequently to reflect changes in the state's educational requirements for property appraisers.

I recommend: Acheson Appraisal is approved by the Oregon Appraiser Certification and Licensure Board to provide qualifying courses for appraisers in Oregon. The American College of Real Estate & Appraisal is located in Tigard and offers approved classes for Oregon appraisers.

Get on-the-job training for Oregon property assessment

Job training for property appraisers in Oregon has specific requirements, as laid out by the Oregon Appraiser Certification and Licensure Board. These requirements stipulate the length of time the training must take, the way in which the mentor must monitor the process, and the type of experience the trainee must acquire.

I recommend: The Oregon Appraiser Certification and Licensure Board provides the experience requirements for appraisers in Oregon. Title 161 of the Oregon Administrative Rules describes the specific experience requirements for appraisers as well as the qualifications needed by the supervisor of a trainee.

Become licensed to assess property value in Oregon

Oregon recognizes three categories of appraisers. A State Licensed Real Estate Appraiser can appraise residential property with a transaction value less than $1,000,000 and non-residential property valued at less than $250,000. A State Certified Residential Appraiser can appraise all types of residential property. A State Certified General Appraiser can appraise all types of property.

I recommend: The Mykut Real Estate School provides the examination prerequisites for each of the three classes of appraisers in Oregon. ProSchools offers a step-by-step procedure for becoming an appraiser in Oregon.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Assessors who estimate Oregon land values may choose to become a member of a national or regional assessor association. Full membership in a professional organization usually requires significantly more education and experience than the minimum licensing requirements of the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB). Many of these associations also offer a membership category specifically for trainees.

Oregon property assessors offices laws and regulations deal with the property taxes that derive from the estimated value of real property. Property assessors in the United States routinely assess property according to the fair market standard, although there are other standards, such as the distressed value and the foreclosure value. All federally regulated institutions must perform property appraisals with a licensed appraiser and Oregon generally requires licensed appraisers for all appraisals. Oregon property laws also specify the conditions under which a property owner may qualify for a homestead exemption or other property tax exemption.

You can find laws on Oregon county assessors offices in a variety of locations. These sources may be classified according to the types of laws they cover and include the three following categories:

1. The Oregon state government. These sources provide laws and other information on Oregon land assessments that apply to the entire state.
   
2. County and municipal governments in Oregon. Each jurisdiction has its own procedures for implementing laws on property assessments.
   
3. Law firms that practice property law. Law firms in Oregon frequently offer information for resolving disputes on property taxes.
   

Action Steps
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Examine the laws that control the assessment of property value in Oregon

The state government of Oregon will have specific laws for property tax assessors. Private organizations also provide summaries and general information on property tax assessor laws in Oregon.

I recommend: The Oregon Department of Revenue provides a summary of property tax laws in Oregon. The Oregon Secretary of State hosts the Oregon Revised Statutes, which specifically addresses the assessment of property in Oregon.

Study the procedures for accessing Oregon land values in a particular jurisdiction

Local governments have specific procedures for property assessments and also may offer an Oregon property tax search. A complete list of Oregon property tax records may also be available.

I recommend: Clackamas County summarizes the property assessment appeals process and also provides the relevant state statute. Clatsop County lists the state statutes for property tax exemptions in Oregon.

Review laws on property assessors in Oregon from law firms

Oregon lawyers who specialize in property law frequently offer summaries on property assessments and property taxes in Oregon. They also may write articles on specific issues regarding property taxes in Oregon.

I recommend: The Taylor Law Firm provides an extensive FAQ on tax law in Oregon, such as a summary of property tax exemptions. Garvey Schubert Barer has specific information on property assessment laws in Oregon.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The quality of Oregon property assessment is controlled by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). It was developed in the 1980s in response to the savings and loan crisis that was occurring in the United States at that time. The Appraiser Foundation (TAF) is the current administrator of the USPAP.