Property Tax Lawyers in Washington County

The law of Washington County, Oregon says that everybody who owns real property has to pay taxes on it. The term "real property" refers to land and buildings, as well as anything affixed to the land, like trees and natural resources.

The property tax in Washington County, Oregon is simply a percentage of a piece of property's appraised value, paid to the state and/or local government on a periodic - usually annual - basis.

Federal authorities do not gather a property tax. Only state and local governments gather property taxes, as a general matter.

How Property Tax is Calculated in Washington County, Oregon

Washington County, Oregon property taxes are usually calculated as a percentage of the value of the taxable property. Rates differentiate widely across the country, usually ranging from less than 1% at the low end, to about 5% at the high end.

In order to impose this tax, the government of Washington County, Oregon initially has to decide the taxable value of a piece of property.

In many ways, the value of a piece of land is relative. After all, many individuals ascribe sentimental value to their homes, which goes well beyond its market value. To guarantee that the system is equal, the government uses only objective standards to determine value.

Therefore, the people in charge of appraising the value of property in Washington County, Oregon have to consider only objective, factual criteria when calculating the value of a piece of land. These criteria include the state of the real estate market, the zoning of the land (which determines how it can be utilized), and any improvements that have been made to the land, among other things.

How A Washington County, Oregon Property Tax Attorney Can Help.

Washington County, Oregon's property tax system is somewhat perplexing. Legal disputes arising from property taxes can arise in a number of ways. For instance, the state might accuse a homeowner of failing to pay their property taxes, when they actually have. Conversely, a homeowner might believe that the value of their property was appraised inaccurately, resulting in a higher tax bill.

If you are affected by one of these, or any other, property tax legal issues in Washington County, Oregon, you should deal with it correctly. If you fail to do so, a relatively minor issue can become much more costly and inconvenient than it might otherwise have been. So, the assistance of a reputable tax attorney in Washington County, Oregon is highly useful in avoiding these issues in the first place, or handling them if they do arise.