Oregon (Summary)
Last Updated: March 2020
Description:
Principal Forest Property Tax Incentive Programs:
1. Program legal-common name: Forestland program
Tax Type: Current Use
Law: ORS 321.201 to 321.686
Objective: This reduced tax assessment was intended to recognize the importance of forestland to Oregon's economy and respond to the growing pressures that urban growth was putting on natural resource lands.
Description: The property tax on the land is based on the value of the land as forestland. Currently, timber is not taxed through the property tax system. Property taxes under this program vary, depending on location of the property and the ability to grow timber.
Program Requirements
Min/Max Acreage: minimum 2 acres
Min. Stocking Growth: The land must contain enough trees to meet the stocking standards of the Oregon Forest Practices Act.
Forest Management Plan: N/A
Duration of Enrollment: 10 years
Evidence of Use:
Penalties for Use Change: Rollback tax will be the difference between the tax paid for the previous five years and the tax that would have been paid for the same five-year period had the land been taxed at the real market value.
Program Administration
State: Department of Revenue determines forestland values and administers the Forest Products Harvest Tax
County Tax Assessor and Commissioner: County Tax Assessor determines eligibility
University: N/A
Landowners: Landowners apply to the county assessors.
2. Program legal-common name: Small tract forestland (STF) option
Tax Type: Current use and Severance Tax
Law: ORS 321.700 to 321.754
Objective: The Small Tract Forestland Option (STF Option) was developed to accommodate the varying needs of small-woodland owners.
Program Requirements
Min/Max Acreage: 10 - 5,000 acres
Min. Stocking Growth: The land must contain enough trees to meet the stocking standards of the Oregon Forest Practices Act.
Forest Management Plan: N/A
Duration of Enrollment: N/A
Evidence of Use:N/A
Penalties for Use Change: Rollback tax is the tax savings received for up to previous 10 years.
Program Administration
State: Oregon Department of Revenue determines forestland values and administers the Forest Products Harvest Tax and the Small Tract Forestland Severance Tax.
County Tax Assessor and Commissioner: County assessors determine the eligibility.
University: N/A
Landowners: Landowners apply to the county assessor.
For a more in depth discussion of Oregon property taxes click here!