Frequently Asked Questions

Many property owners will still see their taxes increase close to the 3% expected with the typical 3% growth in assessed value. Some will see increases greater than 3% where districts levied more for existing bonded debt or passed new local option or bonded debt levies. Many will also see increases greater than expected where increasing real market values eliminated or reduced the savings provided by Measure 5 limits. Others will see increases less than 3% where taxing districts levied less for bonded debt or paid debt off.

Area voters approved several measures that will be reflected on tax statements this year.

• Canby School District voters approved new bonded debt which increased the rate to $2.12, an increase of $0.33 per $1000 for improving health, safety and security.
• City of Portland voters approved new bonded debt which increased the rate to $0.42, an increase of $0.19 per $1000 for funding of affordable housing.
• West Linn - Wilsonville School District voters approved new bonded debt which increased the rate to $3.3312, an increase of $0.36 per $1000 for safety, security and overcrowding.

Districts that levied less for bonded debt:

• Estacada School District
• Gladstone School District
• Newberg School District
• North Clackamas School District
• Oregon Trail School District

Mortgage companies notify us by September 1st which accounts they expect to pay taxes on. Any changes between that time and Nov. 15 are not reflected in our records. If you have any questions regarding who is paying your property taxes, we suggest you contact your new mortgage company. Please remember, you are ultimately responsible for paying your taxes timely.

The Oregon Department of Forestry protects nearly 16 million acres — mostly private lands — from wildfire. Forestland owners in the North Cascade Fire Protection District will see the fire protection assessment with a minimum cost of $18.75 ($1.3572 per acre) and the surcharge for improved properties $47.50. For more information, you may contact the Clackamas County district office in Molalla at 14995 S Hwy 211 in Molalla. Their phone number is 503-829-2216.

The assessment date for all property is January 1. This means new construction is valued at the percent completed on January 1. If 50% complete, then a house is valued at half its market value, and the assessed value for tax purposes is adjusted to include this market addition using the Measure 50 rules. If construction on your house was started after January 1, then you will pay tax only on the land until the following year

The new improvements will be appraised at market value. The new taxable value is computed by adjusting the new additions market value with the Measure 50 rules. This gives new property a similar adjustment to other property that received the Measure 50 assessed value roll back.

The Assessor's office does not automatically adjust market value to the selling price of a property. We consider all sales that occur in a neighborhood to arrive at a market value. The Assessor also uses a complex recalculation and sales analysis program to annually update market values.

Clackamas County has about 365 tax code areas. The typical consolidated tax rate within cities runs from $14.5480 to $23.1113 per $1000 of assessed value. Outside cities run from $10.0148 to $18.3716 of assessed value. Assessed values average about 64% of market value, however they are account specific.

If you want more specific information, please feel free to call our office at 503-655-8671.

The real market value (RMV) on your tax statement represents the market value of the property as of January 1, each year. This is the estimate of value the property would have sold for on that date. It is important to understand that your property taxes are based on your assessed value, not market value. In most cases assessed values are significantly lower than market values. A decline in the market value does not automatically reduce your Measure 50 assessed value unless real market value falls below your maximum assessed value.

The assessed value (AV) on your tax statement is the value used to calculate your property taxes. For most property, the maximum assessed value was established in 1997 under Measure 50 by taking 90% of the 1995–96 market value and has continued to grow by 3% annually. If you have new construction, remodeling or additions to your property, the assessed value may increase more than the typical 3%. These are examples of exceptions to Measure 50 that allow the property's assessed value to grow more than the typical 3%. New construction, additions and remodeled properties do receive a Measure 50 benefit similar to existing property. The market value of the new construction is reduced by the ratio of the maximum assessed value to real market value of similar classes of property calculated county-wide. Once a new assessed value is established, it then continues to grow by the annual 3% increase required by Measure 50.

Your tax bill will include taxes for city services that you were not paying when in the unincorporated area.

Typical property tax changes for 2020–21*

* The typical tax increases above reflect property taxes prior to any increase or decrease that may result from Measure 5. The Measure 5 limits and property taxes are calculated on a property by property basis. The increase or decrease in savings that occur from the Measure 5 limitation is dependent on the ratio of assessed value to real market value and the tax rates of the districts that provide service to a specific area. An increase in tax can result when real market value growth reduces the level of savings to the property from the prior year.
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