Property taxes in Deschutes County are measurably low this year. If you have not made any changes to your property: Bend property taxes are only 2.6% higher than last year; Redmond property taxes have increased by less than 1%; and in the City of Sisters, property taxes are increasing by approximately 2.2%.

Ballot measure 50, passed by citizens in May of 1997, intended to insure predictability to paying property taxes by capping them at 3% as long as voters do not approve new bond issues or new local options.  This year, for most property owners, property taxes will increase by less than the 3% cap, very welcome news to many citizens of Deschutes County!  

Beginning Friday, October 20, approximately 93,000 property tax statements will be mailed to Deschutes County property owners. The legal deadline to pay taxes to avoid any penalty interest is Wednesday, November 15.

An information flyer will be inserted into all County tax bills that explain why some tax rates have changed, where to pay your taxes, and where your tax dollars go. The flyer will also include information regarding Veterans’ exemptions, and how to find property tax data on the County’s website by visiting  www.deschutes.org.

Tax payments must be delivered or postmarked on or before November 15, 2006. Full tax payments made by that date will receive a 3% discount.  Payments may be dropped off at the Deschutes County Tax Office, 1300 NW Wall Street (second floor), through November 15.

For more information regarding tax payments, payment drop-off sites and collection issues you may call 388-6540; or for assessed value, exemption and deferral information, call 388-6508.