has an average property tax rate of 0.96%, meaning most homeowners can expect to pay around $2,193 in property taxes annually. Compared to the Oregon average of 0.87%, living in Polk County can cost more than the rest of the state.

The revenue from property taxes is an important source of income that pays for a wide variety of services that residents of the county use every day. But not every homeowner will have the same tax rate, which can vary depending on the value of your home and the tax zones in which you live.

Property tax rates can also change year by year depending upon the needs of the local government.

So before you buy a new house in the area, or if you just want to know more about how property taxes affect you, the home and

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Property tax 101

Property tax is a yearly tax levied on homes, structures, and the land they are built on. The tax rates are set by the state and local governments, and the money they collect is used to pay for the services they provide and the employees who carry them out.

Property tax is one of the most common taxes in the country because it is a good way to ensure that only people who live in the community are affected by it. So when you pay these taxes, the money goes right back into the community.

Some properties are exempt from real estate tax, including land and buildings owned by the government, charities, religious institutions, and some educational organizations.

MORE:Is car insurance tax deductible?

What is the property tax rate in Polk County?

Polk County has an average property tax rate of 0.96% and the typical homeowner can expect to pay around $2,193 a year on their tax bill.

However, not everyone pays the same amount of property tax as municipal tax rates vary within every county. Each region of the state is divided into separate tax zones, such as school districts and fire districts.

To help discover your specific property tax rate, the County Assessor’s office has created

this tool

which you can search either by street address or parcel number.

How Polk County property taxes are determined

Your annual property tax is calculated by multiplying the assessed value of your property by the property tax rate.

To calculate the value of your home, there is a local assessor whose job is to determine each property’s fair market value, which is defined as what a reasonable person would pay to buy your home and property.

Here’s how the math works: if you own property worth $250,000 and your local property tax rate is 1%, your annual tax bill would be calculated by multiplying those two numbers. $250,000 x 0.01 (which is 1%) = $2,500 a year tax bill.

As you can see, there is a direct relationship between the value of your home and the tax bill you pay. So, the higher your assessed value, the more you pay in property taxes. If you think that your home has been overvalued—and therefore you have a higher tax bill—you have the right to appeal the assessor’s determination.

Here’s some good news—Oregon has over 100 tax exemption programs across the state, which can reduce or eliminate property tax completely. Check out

this website

to see if any exemptions apply to you.

What do Polk County property taxes pay for?

Property tax revenues are sent to the government which in turn uses these funds to pay for many of the services that county residents use on a daily basis. This includes:

School buildings, teachers, and educational programs

Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services

Road and highway maintenance

Libraries

Parks and recreation areas

Waste disposal

Public health and housing services

MORE:

How to deduct a car accident from your taxes

How to pay property taxes in Polk County

Residents are mailed tax statements no later than October 25, and taxes are due in three installments over the course of the year on November 15, February 14, and May 15.

Polk County offers several methods for property owners to pay their tax bills. These options are:

Online: The county offers an

online portal

where you can pay using eCheck, debit, or credit card. Note that some forms of payment may have fees and you’ll need your tax account number to use this service.

By phone: Call the 24-hour, self-service system at (866) 215-1835 and follow the prompts.

By mail: You may pay by check or money order via this address: Polk County Tax Office, 850 Main St., Dallas, OR 97338.

In-person: The county accepts cash or check payments in person. For further information, go to

this link

Through your mortgage: Many lending institutions allow customers to pay their property bills through their house mortgages. Contact your mortgage lender for more information on how their program works.

MORE:

Oregon car insurance laws

How to save money on homeowners and car insurance in Oregon

Property taxes are a necessary expense when it comes to owning a home, and you can end up paying out more money than you expect. If you want to save money elsewhere, consider cutting your home and

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When are property taxes due in Polk County?

Polk County property taxes are due in three installments on November 15, February 14, and May 15.

Are property taxes high in Polk County?

Yes—property taxes are above average in Polk County as compared with the rest of the state.

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