Multnomah County Property Tax Appeal, Oregon

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

Multnomah County is Oregon's most populous county with over 800,000 residents, and its county seat is Portland, the state's largest city. Major population centers include Portland and Gresham, along with smaller cities like Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, and Maywood Park. With a median home value of $528,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.96%, property taxes in Multnomah County are significantly higher than both the state and national averages. The median annual property tax bill of $5,061 is considerably above the national median of $2,400, making property tax appeals particularly valuable for homeowners seeking to reduce their tax burden in Oregon's most expensive county.

Notable cities: Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, Maywood Park

Median Home

$528,000

Tax Rate

0.96%

Annual Tax

$5,061

On the typical Multnomah County home, valued near $528,000 at the county’s effective tax rate of 0.96%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying year after year until you appeal it. Here is how to find out if yours qualifies.

2026 Appeal Deadline: December 31, 2026

That is at most 128 days away. Your exact date is on your assessment notice, so do not wait on it.

Appeals must be filed between the date your tax statement is mailed (before October 25) and December 31, 2026. If December 31 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the filing deadline moves to the next business day. Petitions must be postmarked or delivered by December 31st.

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How Multnomah County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Multnomah County Division of Assessment, Recording & Taxation (DART)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: Before October 25

In Oregon, property taxes are calculated on the lesser of the Maximum Assessed Value or Real Market Value, with the result called the Assessed Value. Oregon uses a 100% assessment ratio, meaning properties are assessed at their full market value. For example, if your home's market value is $528,000 (Multnomah County's median), at Oregon's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $528,000, resulting in approximately $5,069 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 0.96%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Property Tax Appeals (BOPTA). Hearings are informal proceedings lasting 10 minutes where you present evidence to support your claimed property value. The board will issue a written decision, and you must continue paying your taxes during the appeal process.

1

Review your property tax statement carefully when it arrives before October 25. Contact the Multnomah County Assessor's office at 503-988-2225 via phone, email, or live chat to discuss your property value before filing an appeal, as appraisers can explain how your value was determined.

2

Gather evidence to support your appeal, including comparable sales data from properties sold near January 1, 2026 (the assessment date), independent appraisals, photographs showing property condition, repair estimates for any defects, and documentation of errors in property characteristics.

3

Obtain and complete the Property Values Appeals Board petition form by calling 503-988-2273, emailing pvab@multco.us, or visiting 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 175. Submit a separate petition for each property account along with a $30 filing fee payable to Multnomah County.

4

File your appeal by mail to Property Values Appeals Board, PO Box 5007, Portland, OR 97208-5007, or in person at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 175, Portland, OR 97214. Your petition must be postmarked or delivered by December 31, 2026. Email and fax submissions are not accepted.

5

Attend your hearing scheduled between February 2027 and April 15, 2027. Hearings are held Monday through Thursday, 9am-2pm in 10-minute increments at the Multnomah Building (501 SE Hawthorne Blvd). You will receive a hearing notice 5-10 days in advance with your date and time.

6

Present your evidence at the hearing to the Property Values Appeals Board, focusing on the property's value as of January 1, 2026. The board will issue a written decision, and if successful, your assessed value and taxes will be reduced accordingly.

7

If you disagree with the Property Values Appeals Board decision, you may appeal to the Magistrate Division of the Oregon Tax Court within 30 days of the board's order being mailed. File a written complaint with the Oregon Tax Court at 1163 State St, Salem, OR 97301-2563.

8

As a final option, if unsatisfied with the Magistrate Division decision, you may appeal to the Regular Division of the Oregon Tax Court within 60 days, and ultimately to the Oregon Supreme Court if necessary.

Required form: Property Values Appeals Board Petition Form

Filing Methods

mail:Property Values Appeals Board, PO Box 5007, Portland, OR 97208-5007
in-person:501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 175, Portland, OR 97214
phone:Call 503-988-2225 to request a petition form or call 503-988-2273 for PVAB information

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales data from similar propertiesIndependent property appraisalPhotographs of property condition or defectsRepair estimates or contractor bidsDocumentation of property characteristic errors

Multnomah County Assessor Contact

Multnomah County Division of Assessment, Recording & Taxation (DART)

Phone: 503-988-2225

Address: 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 175, Portland, OR 97214

Website: https://multco.us/departments/assessment-recording-taxation

Online Portal: https://multcoproptax.com

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Tax Exemptions in Multnomah County

Disabled Veteran Exemption

$27,092 (general disability) or $32,512 (service-connected disability) reduction in assessed value for 2026-2027

Reduces the assessed value of a disabled veteran's homestead property, providing significant property tax savings for qualifying veterans with at least a 40% disability rating.

Eligibility: War veterans with at least 40% disability rating (honorable discharge required), or surviving spouses/registered domestic partners who have not remarried. Must own and occupy the property as primary residence.Deadline: January 1 - April 1 annually for the tax year beginning the following July 1

Senior and Disabled Citizen Property Tax Deferral

Defers full property tax payment (not a reduction, but a loan program)

Allows eligible seniors age 62+ and disabled homeowners to defer property tax payments. The state pays the county on the homeowner's behalf, with repayment required when the property is sold or transferred.

Eligibility: Homeowners age 62 or older, or disabled homeowners, with household income up to approximately $54,500. Must own and occupy property as primary residence.Deadline: Contact DART Special Programs Group at 503-988-3278 for application deadlines

Active Duty Military Exemption

Varies based on deployment status

Property tax exemption for members of the Oregon National Guard or Reserve who are deployed on active duty.

Eligibility: Oregon National Guard or Reserve members deployed on active duty. Property must be their primary residence.Deadline: January 1 - April 1

Surviving Spouse of Veteran Exemption

$2,000 additional exemption

Additional exemption for surviving spouses or registered domestic partners of veterans from the Civil War or Spanish War who receive a pension.

Eligibility: Surviving spouse/partner of honorably discharged Civil War or Spanish War veteran who has not remarried and receives a pension. Must occupy the homestead property.Deadline: January 1 - April 1

Multnomah County Appeal Statistics

Avg Reduction

$1,747

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Multnomah County for 2026?
You must file your property tax appeal with the Property Values Appeals Board by December 31, 2026. The filing window opens when your tax statement is mailed (before October 25) and closes on December 31st. If December 31 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline extends to the next business day. Your petition must be postmarked or hand-delivered by this date, and the county uses the U.S. Postal Service postmark to determine timeliness. Email and fax submissions are not accepted for property tax appeals in Multnomah County.
How much does it cost to file a property tax appeal in Multnomah County?
The filing fee for a property tax appeal in Multnomah County is $30.00 per property account, payable to Multnomah County. You must submit a separate petition and $30 fee for each property account you wish to appeal. If you submit your petition without the filing fee, you will have 20 days from the date of notification to submit the fee or your petition will be dismissed. The fee is required whether you file by mail or in person at the DART office at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 175, Portland, OR 97214.
What happens at a Property Values Appeals Board hearing in Multnomah County?
Property Values Appeals Board hearings in Multnomah County are informal proceedings held Monday through Thursday from 9am to 2pm at the Multnomah Building (501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214). Each hearing lasts 10 minutes, during which you present evidence supporting your claimed property value as of January 1, 2026. Hearings run from mid-February through April 15, 2027 for the 2026 tax year. You will receive a hearing notice 5-10 days in advance with your scheduled date and time. The board will issue a written decision after reviewing your evidence, and you must continue paying your property taxes while the appeal is pending.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Multnomah County online?
Multnomah County does not accept property tax appeals online, by email, or by fax. You must file your Property Values Appeals Board petition either by mail to PO Box 5007, Portland, OR 97208-5007, or in person at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 175, Portland, OR 97214. You can request a petition form by calling 503-988-2273 or emailing pvab@multco.us, but the completed petition with your $30 filing fee must be submitted physically by mail or in-person delivery. While you cannot file appeals online, you can use multcoproptax.com to view your property information, assessment values, and tax statements to help prepare your appeal.
What evidence do I need for a successful property tax appeal in Multnomah County?
To succeed in your Multnomah County property tax appeal, you need evidence demonstrating that your property's value as of January 1, 2026 was lower than the assessed value. The strongest evidence includes comparable sales data from similar properties that sold near the assessment date, showing lower prices than your assessed value. An independent appraisal conducted for the assessment date is highly persuasive. Photographs documenting property condition, defects, or needed repairs help support your case, along with contractor estimates or repair bids for any issues. Documentation of errors in property characteristics (square footage, lot size, features) recorded by the assessor can also reduce your value. Previous appraisals and expert opinions may be attached as supporting documentation.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Multnomah County?
Successful property tax appeals in Multnomah County save homeowners an average of $1,747 per year, according to recent data. Your actual savings depend on how much your assessed value is reduced and Multnomah County's effective tax rate of 0.96%. For example, if you successfully reduce your assessed value by $50,000, you would save approximately $480 annually ($50,000 × 0.0096). With the median home value in Multnomah County at $528,000 and median annual taxes of $5,061, even a modest percentage reduction can result in hundreds of dollars in annual savings. However, not all value reductions result in tax savings due to Oregon's complex property tax calculation system involving Maximum Assessed Value caps.
Can I appeal if I disagree with the Property Values Appeals Board decision in Multnomah County?
Yes, if you disagree with the Property Values Appeals Board decision in Multnomah County, you have the right to appeal to the Magistrate Division of the Oregon Tax Court. You must file a written complaint with the Oregon Tax Court within 30 days of the date the board's order is mailed or delivered to you. The Magistrate Division is located at 1163 State Street, Salem, OR 97301-2563, and there is a filing fee for this level of appeal. If you remain unsatisfied with the Magistrate Division's decision, you may further appeal to the Regular Division of the Oregon Tax Court within 60 days, and ultimately to the Oregon Supreme Court if necessary.
What is the disabled veteran property tax exemption worth in Multnomah County?
The disabled veteran property tax exemption in Multnomah County reduces your assessed value by $27,092 for general disabilities or $32,512 for service-connected disabilities for the 2026-2027 tax year. With Multnomah County's effective tax rate of 0.96%, this translates to approximately $260-$312 in annual tax savings. To qualify, you must be a war veteran with at least a 40% disability rating and an honorable discharge, or be the surviving spouse or registered domestic partner of a qualifying veteran who has not remarried. You must own and occupy the property as your primary residence. The exemption amounts increase by 3% each year, and you must apply between January 1 and April 1 annually with the Multnomah County Assessor's office.

Official Resources

For state-wide appeal information including Oregon's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Oregon Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Oregon Counties

Sources: https://multco.us/news/news-release-property-tax-payments-are-due-nov-15-2026 | https://multco.us/info/property-values-appeal-process | https://propertytaxrates.org/counties/oregon/multnomah-county/ | https://multco.us/info/contact-division-assessment-recording-taxation | https://www.oregon.gov/dor/programs/property/pages/exemptions.aspx | https://multco.us/info/about-multnomah-county

Last verified: 2026-07-24