Wasco County sees rise in property taxes; Bills to be mailed by Oct. 25.
From The Wasco County Tax Assessor Jill Amery with additions by Tom Peterson:
Wasco County Tax Assessor Jill Amery
Total Wasco County Property Tax Assessments increased by $1.2 million when compared to the 20-21 tax season, according to the latest report from the Assessor’s Office.
Wasco County certified the 2021-22 tax roll of $43,117,293.48 on October 11, 2021. The tax roll includes 30 districts and 3 special assessments; 1 County, 6 Cities, 3 Fire Districts, 9 other General Government Agencies, 6 School Districts, 3 Education Service Districts and 2 Community Colleges.
Tax statements will be mailed by October 25, 2021.
Market Conditions
Real market values continue to trend upward for most residential properties in Wasco County. Many commercial properties saw a correction and downturn in real property values.
“The commercial sector saw on average a 12% reduction in sale prices of real property (land and building) versus the prior year’s real market values, said Wasco County Assessor and Tax Collector Jill Amery. “As a result, we will trend down the real market values of those properties in the core commercial sector.”
Residential Housing
“Annually, we perform a market study of all sales in Wasco County and produce a ratio study resulting in corrections or adjustments that need to be made to our real market values as compared to what the market sales reveal,” Amery said.
This is done by neighborhood, and it can vary widely. If houses in say, the Columbia View Heights neighborhood sell 10% over what we have in RMV booked value, we perform annual trending to bring this value up to date, in other words, correct the value to reflect the current market.
These actions are dictated by Oregon Revised Statute as our duties administering the property tax program. Depending on where your property is located in Wasco County, there was a mix of from single-digit to double-digit adjustments of the RMV. Some saw an adjustment in the land to improvement ratios where land trended down, but improvements trended upward. It was a varied array this year.
South Wasco County residents will most likely see an increase in their tax bills due to the new South Wasco County School District No. 1 Bond that was passed in the November 2020 election. Voters passed a $4,000,000 general obligation bond, matched by a $4,000,000 State grant. The improvements are for remodels, construction, safety, security, technology and accessibility improvements for the district.
Some South County residents may see a reduction in their tax rates due to the expiration of 2 local option levies; Dufur Recreation and Shaniko.
Due Dates
Tax payments are due November 15, 2021. Payment in full by November 15, 2021, receives a 3% discount. If mailing it must be POSTMARKED with the 11/15/2021 date (this postmark matters). Paying 2/3 by 11/15/2021 receives a 2% discount, 1/3 payment does not receive a discount. Installment payment options are due on 11/15/2021, 2/15/2022 and 5/16/2022.
In a continued effort to prevent, slow and stop the spread of the Coronavirus our customer service will continue to look different this year. We ask that you utilize one of the following options for tax payments during this time.
We have installed a new payment drop box outside of the Courthouse on 5th Street to assist taxpayers during this time of COVID-19 to continue our efforts in protecting the health and safety of our employees and the public.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you would like a receipt mailed to you.
Include an email address if you would like a receipt emailed to you.
Additional payment options are:
Payment drop slot in the door, Rm 208 at the Wasco County Courthouse, 511 Washington St.
Mail to US Bank Processing Center in Portland. Payment coupon on the tax statement included.
If you typically pay in cash, we ask that you consider exchanging cash for a money order and mail your payment.
Online payment options are also available.
ON LINE PAYMENT OPTIONS
E –Check payment online is a $2.00 flat fee
Credit card payments 2.50% fee charged of tax paid (paid to the service provider, not Wasco Co)
You can also pay by phone at 844-435-3978
We will continue to follow all protocols during this time by limiting in-person traffic in the office and requiring masks for in-person service.
Call our office or send an email, we will be happy to connect with you via video chat to answer questions.
How to find the online payment portal:
www.co.wasco.or.us/departments/assessment_and_taxation/index.php then click on ONLINE PAYMENTS
Questions:
Tax or value questions, visit our new tax information online at:
www.co.wasco.or.us/departments/assessment_and_taxation/index.php then click on our access to Ascend Web. Also, view the informational videos available.
The payment coupon MUST be mailed with your payment to US Bank payment processing center as it has a unique bar code for your payment.
Due date reminder: payments must be POSTMARKED with the November 15, 2021 postmark to receive the 3% discount. Simply dropping it in a mailbox late at night may not lead to it being processed by the USPS until the following day.
Please contact our office with questions concerning tax statements and/or payment options.
Value questions 541 506-2510
Tax questions 541 506-2540
Email; assessor@co.wasco.or.us
