FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Citizen Transparency Portal
It is a website that provides an inside look at the different types of revenue we collect, and how we spend those public dollars. We are committed to improving transparency with our community members!
.
What is included in the portal?
All financial transactions in Benton County!
Data is only available from when we launched the portal in 2018. We update the information weekly!
.
Where can I find the portal?
How do I read my property tax statement?
Your tax statement each year will show all taxes that are delinquent and your current year taxes.
If you have an unpaid balance from a previous year, your payment options will be listed on the front of your tax statement, and it will also include the current year payment. To take advantage of the discount program, the total amount due must be paid in full. If you would like to pay the outstanding portion only, please contact us at, (541) 766-6808 and we can verify the amount due.
.
What is the property tax due date? How do I avoid delinquency?
Your property taxes are due in full by November 15th, or in 3 installments: November 15th, February 15th, and May 15th.
Any taxes not paid on or before May 15th are considered delinquent.
.
I paid my taxes late. What is the foreclosure process?
Property can be foreclosed 3 years after the first date of delinquency, and interest continues to accrue at 1.333% on the 16th of each month.
You will receive 3 notices letting you know that your taxes are late; they will also contain information about the foreclosure process.
| Notice | Delivered | Message | Information |
| 1 | After May 15th | Delinquency | Informs you of the date when the foreclosure process will start. |
| 2 | After June 15th | Courtesy | Informs you of the payment dates to avoid publication. |
| 3 | After July 15th | Foreclosure | Informs you of all properties in foreclosure and process. |
July 15th is the last day to pay your taxes with a personal check, after that we only accept cash, money orders, cashier’s checks.
.
How do I avoid publication in the newspaper?
Publication can be avoided by paying the full tax and interest on the tax year causing the foreclosure. Payments have to be received in the tax office no later then 5:00 pm on the date in your notice (postmarks are not accepted).
Cash, money order, and certified funds are the only forms of payment accepted.
.
When do foreclosed properties get published in the local paper?
Mid to end of August. The publication includes: property owner name, contract buyer, property identification, delinquent tax years, and total tax/interest owed.
At this time, an application for General Judgement is filed with the Circuit Court.
.
A General Judgement has been filed; can I keep my property out of foreclosure?
Yes. The General Judgement is received approximately 30 days after the property is published in the newspaper, and the property can still be removed from the foreclosure process by paying the year of taxes and interest that caused the foreclosure, and the 5% penalty.
Payments accepted include: cash, money order, and certified funds.
.
How does Judgement work?
Judgement is granted a minimum of 30 days after the application has been filed. Once secured, all tax years, interest, and penalties have to be paid to get the property out of foreclosure.
If you believe your property should not be in foreclosure, you have 30 days to file an answer with the court.
.
What is the 2-Year Redemption Period?
Once the Circuit Court grants the General Judgement, the 2-year redemption period begins. To release your property at this point, you will have to pay:
- All taxes and interest shown in the Judgement
- 5% penalty
- 9% interest annually on the judgement period
- Any fee for a lien and encumbrances report completed during the 2nd year
Partial payments are not accepted.
.
Who can redeem the property during the redemption period?
- Person(s) with recorded legal interest in the property at the date of judgement
- An heir or devisee of person(s) with a legal interest in the property
- A holder of a lien of record on the property (ex: mortgage company)
Name changes are not permitted during the redemption period, and the owner listed in the judgement has the right of possession. If the property is destroyed, in any way, it may be immediately acquired by the tax collector.
.
When does Benton County acquire the deed?
At the end of the 2-year redemption period; the Tax Collector deeds the property to Benton County and all taxes, interest, and penalties are cancelled. Once this happens, the taxpayer’s ownership is terminated. At this point, Benton County can choose to sell the property at a public auction to the highest bidder.
There are some circumstances where Benton County can accelerate the redemption period.
.
I have more questions about foreclosed properties; who should I contact?
Benton County Tax Department
Kalapuya Building
4500 SW Research Way
Corvallis, OR 97333
(541) 766-6808
.
What is the Transit Lodging Tax?
The Transit Lodging Tax, also known as the TLT, is an extra tax added to all short-term lodging located within Benton County. This includes facilities like hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, cabins, lodges, RV sites and campgrounds, vacation rental houses, and any other dwelling used for temporary overnight stays.
.
What is the purpose of the tax?
At least 70% of the money Benton County receives is meant to promote tourism and tourism-related facilities, while the rest of the money goes to our General Fund. We are planning on using the funds to enhance the Benton County Event Center and Fairgrounds, in an effort to increase tourism and economic development.
.
What is the tax rate?
Occupants pay 3% of the total retail price (including all charges and fees) to the Lodging Provider.
.
Who is excluded from the TLT?
- Any dwelling that is leased and/or occupied by the same person for a 30-day (or more) consecutive period.
- Dwelling units that are located in hospitals, health care facilities, long-term care facilities, or any other facility that is licensed, registered, and/or certified by the Oregon Department of Human Services or Oregon Health Authority.
- Dwelling units located in a facility providing treatment for drug, alcohol, and/or mental health treatment.
- Dwelling units, funded through a contract with a Government Agency, providing emergency shelters.
- Dwelling units located in a non-profit facility; the non-profit facility must be owned by an Internal Revenue Code 501(c).
.
What happens if I don’t pay the TLT?
The Transit Lodging Tax payment is considered late on the first working day of the month following each quarterly payment due date. Any Lodging Tax Collector who fails to pay their TLT, to the Oregon Department of Revenue, is subject to a penalty. The penalty is 10% of the unpaid tax.
For fees paid more than 30 days late an additional 15% penalty is charged. Interest at .05% is added on the first day of each month after that.
.