| Tax Proration for Fire |
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Did you know that property owners are eligible for a proration of tax when their property is damaged or destroyed due to fire or act of God? The Oregon Department of Revenue finds that many people impacted are either unaware of these provisions or find out too late to do anything because of the filing deadlines. Portions of this statute have existed for many years.
In Oregon, the tax year runs from July 1 through June 30 of the subsequent calendar year. Taxes on property that has experienced a casualty loss due to either an act of God or a fire during the tax year may be eligible for reduction. The reduction is referred to as a "proration of tax" and is computed by the county tax collector.
What is a qualifying occurrence?
In the event any real or personal property is damaged or destroyed by an act of God or by fire, the property is eligible for a proration of the taxes. An act of God is generally considered an act attributable to nature without human interference. For example, damage from a tornado or a lightning strike would be considered an act of God. Damage would not be considered an act of God if the property owner causes it. Any fire, whether caused by an act of God or not, makes the property eligible provided that the applicant has not been convicted of arson with regard to the property for which relief is sought. You would be eligible for relief if, for example, your house burns down as the result of an accident or if you ask the fire department to burn it down for practice.
Relevant information is contained in an information circular on the Department’s website at http://www.dor.state.or.us/InfoC/303-619.html. The circular provides a general explanation of the occurrences that qualify for a proration of tax, where you may obtain an application for proration and where you file it, the deadlines for filing the application, a description of what adjustments are made to a qualifying account, and finally how to appeal a decision if you disagree with the disposition of your application.
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