ORS 308.290
Returns

  • personal property
  • exception
  • real property
  • combined real and personal returns for industrial property
  • confidentiality and disclosure
  • lessor-lessee elections
  • rules

(1)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, every person and the managing agent or officer of any business, firm, corporation or association owning, or having in possession or under control taxable personal property shall make a return of the property for ad valorem tax purposes to the assessor of the county in which the property has its situs for taxation. As between a mortgagor and mortgagee or a lessor and lessee, however, the actual owner and the person in possession may agree between them as to who shall make the return and pay the tax, and the election shall be followed by the person in possession of the roll who has notice of the election. Upon the failure of either party to file a personal property tax return on or before March 15 of any year, both parties shall be jointly and severally subject to the provisions of ORS 308.296 (Penalty for failure to file return reporting only personal property).

(b)

Paragraph (a) of this subsection does not apply to personal property exempt from taxation under ORS 307.162 (Claiming exemption).

(2)

Every person and the managing agent or officer of any business, firm, corporation or association owning or in possession of taxable real property shall make a return of the property for ad valorem tax purposes when so requested by the assessor of the county in which the property is situated.

(3)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

Each return of personal property shall contain a full listing of the property and a statement of its real market value, including a separate listing of those items claimed to be exempt as imports or exports. Each statement shall contain a listing of the additions or retirements made since the prior January 1, indicating the book cost and the date of acquisition or retirement. Each return shall contain the name, assumed business name, if any, and address of the owner of the personal property and, if it is a partnership, the name and address of each general partner or, if it is a corporation, the name and address of its registered agent.

(b)

Each return of real property shall contain a full listing of the several items or parts of the property specified by the county assessor and a statement exhibiting their real market value. Each return shall contain a listing of the additions and retirements made during the year indicating the book cost, book value of the additions and retirements or the appraised real market value of retirements as specified in the return by the assessor.

(c)

There shall be annexed to each return the affidavit or affirmation of the person making the return that the statements contained in the return are true. All returns shall be in a form that the county assessor, with the approval of the Department of Revenue, may prescribe.

(4)

All returns shall be filed on or before March 15 of each year.

(5)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

In lieu of the returns required under subsection (1)(a) or (2) of this section, every person and the managing agent or officer of any business, firm, corporation or association owning or having in possession or under control taxable real and personal property that is state-appraised industrial property as defined in ORS 306.126 (Appraisal of industrial property by department) shall file a combined return of the real and personal property with the Department of Revenue.

(b)

The contents and form of the return shall be as prescribed by rule of the department. Any form shall comply with ORS 308.297 (Personal property returns to note penalty for delinquency). Notwithstanding ORS 308.875 (Manufactured structures classified as real or personal property), a manufactured structure that is a part of a state-appraised industrial property shall be included in a combined return.

(c)

In order that the county assessor may comply with ORS 308.295 (Penalties for failure to file real property or combined return on time), the department shall provide a list to the assessor of all combined returns that are required to be filed with the department under this subsection but that were not filed on or before the due date.

(d)

If the department has delegated appraisal of the state-appraised industrial property to the county assessor under ORS 306.126 (Appraisal of industrial property by department) (3), the department shall notify the person otherwise required to file the combined return under this subsection as soon as practicable after the delegation that the combined return is required to be filed with the assessor.

(e)

Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section, a combined return of real and personal property that is state-appraised industrial property shall be filed with the department on or before March 15 of each year.

(6)

A return is not in any respect controlling on the county assessor or on the Department of Revenue in the assessment of any property. On any failure to file the required return, the property shall be listed and assessed from the best information obtainable from other sources.

(7)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

All returns filed under the provisions of this section and ORS 308.525 (Contents of statement) and 308.810 (Association to file statement) are confidential records of the Department of Revenue or the county assessor’s office in which the returns are filed or of the office to which the returns are forwarded under paragraph (b) of this subsection.

(b)

The assessor or the department may forward any return received in error to the department or the county official responsible for appraising the property described in the return.

(c)

Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection, a return described in paragraph (a) of this subsection may be disclosed to:

(A)

The Department of Revenue or its representative;

(B)

The representatives of the Secretary of State or to an accountant engaged by a county under ORS 297.405 (Definitions for ORS 297.020, 297.230, 297.405 to 297.740 and 297.990) to 297.555 (Short title) for the purpose of auditing the county’s personal property tax assessment roll (including adjustments to returns made by the Department of Revenue);

(C)

The county assessor, the county tax collector, the assessor’s representative or the tax collector’s representative for the purpose of:
(i)
Collecting delinquent real or personal property taxes; or
(ii)
Correctly reflecting on the tax roll information reported on returns filed by a business operating in more than one county or transferring property between counties in this state during the tax year;

(D)

Any reviewing authority to the extent the return being disclosed relates to an appeal brought by a taxpayer;

(E)

The Division of Child Support of the Department of Justice or a district attorney to the extent the return being disclosed relates to a case for which the Division of Child Support or the district attorney is providing support enforcement services under ORS 25.080 (Entity primarily responsible for support enforcement services); or

(F)

The Legislative Revenue Officer for the purpose of preparation of reports, estimates and analyses required by ORS 173.800 (Appointing authority for Legislative Revenue Officer) to 173.850 (Department of Revenue to provide assistance).

(d)

Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection:

(A)

The Department of Revenue may exchange property tax information with the authorized agents of the federal government and the several states on a reciprocal basis, or with county assessors, county tax collectors or authorized representatives of assessors or tax collectors.

(B)

Information regarding the valuation of leased property reported on a property return filed by a lessor under this section may be disclosed to the lessee or other person in possession of the property. Information regarding the valuation of leased property reported on a property return filed by a lessee under this section may be disclosed to the lessor of the property.

(8)

If the assessed value of any personal property in possession of a lessee is less than the maximum amount described in ORS 308.250 (Valuation and assessment of personal property) (2)(a), the person in possession of the roll may disregard an election made under subsection (1)(a) of this section and assess the owner or lessor of the property. [Amended by 1953 c.218 §2; 1961 c.683 §2; 1963 c.436 §1; 1965 c.16 §1; 1967 c.50 §1; 1971 c.568 §2; 1971 c.574 §2; 1975 c.789 §12; 1977 c.124 §6; 1977 c.774 §24; 1979 c.286 §14; 1981 c.623 §2; 1981 c.804 §49; 1987 c.312 §3; 1991 c.191 §5; 1991 c.459 §108; 1993 c.726 §56; 1993 c.813 §2; 1995 c.609 §3; 1997 c.154 §30; 1997 c.541 §169; 1997 c.819 §2; 2001 c.479 §2; 2003 c.541 §1; 2005 c.94 §47; 2007 c.226 §1; 2007 c.227 §1; 2007 c.613 §1a; 2007 c.824 §1; 2009 c.455 §2; 2010 c.69 §§3,4; 2011 c.204 §§2,3; 2013 c.205 §2; 2015 c.36 §10; 2015 c.38 §1; 2017 c.420 §2]

Source: Section 308.290 — Returns; personal property; exception; real property; combined real and personal returns for industrial property; confidentiality and disclosure; lessor-lessee elections; rules, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors308.­html.

Notes of Decisions

The Department of Revenue is estopped to deny the taxpayer the right to change his election of the “current value of goods” method of assessment to the “average-inventory” method where the forms provided by the department failed to adequately advise the taxpayer of the right to elect the latter method. Uniroyal v. Dept. of Rev., 5 OTR 29 (1972)

This section contemplates that taxpayer may fail to file a return and imposes duty on assessor of listing and evaluating property from best information attainable from other sources. Liquid Air Inc. v. Dept. of Rev., 8 OTR 159 (1979)

Where taxpayer failed to file personal property return and assessor sent notice listing and evaluating property, which taxpayer reasonably assumed included free port exemption, assessor was estopped from asserting hardship application deadline under ORS 307.475 to preclude taxpayer’s later exemption claim. Liquid Air Inc. v. Dept. of Rev., 8 OTR 159 (1979)

On appeal from Revenue Department’s order to produce records for inspection, where taxpayer’s principal objection was that disclosure of documents to competitors would be detrimental but no evidence was presented that taxpayer was not protected by secrecy requirement of this section, taxpayer was required to comply with order. In re Willamette Industries, Inc., 8 OTR 324 (1980)

308.005
“Assessor” includes deputy
308.007
Definitions
308.010
Registered appraiser requirements
308.015
Alternate qualifications for registered appraisers
308.030
Penalty for failure to file certain statements within time limits
308.050
Assessor’s annual report on property appraisal program
308.055
Special assessor appointed if assessor fails to act
308.057
Continuing education of county assessors required
308.059
Qualifications of managerial employees of assessor
308.062
Action by department when appraisals not being conducted as provided by law
308.065
Administering of oaths by assessors and deputies
308.105
Personal property
308.115
Minerals, coal, oil, gas or other severable interests owned separately from realty not subject to tax
308.120
Partnership property
308.125
Undivided interest
308.130
Undivided estate of decedent
308.135
Trustee or personal representative separately assessed
308.142
“Property” and “property tax account” defined
308.146
Determination of maximum assessed value and assessed value
308.149
Definitions for ORS 308.149 to 308.166
308.151
Certain cities authorized to define “area” as city by ordinance or resolution
308.153
New property and new improvements to property
308.156
Subdivision or partition
308.159
Lot line adjustments
308.162
Property tax account modifications
308.166
Ordering provisions when property is subject to multiple special determinations of value
308.205
Real market value defined
308.207
Computation of real market value for taxing or bonding limitations
308.210
Assessing property
308.212
Requirement for property owner to file address
308.215
Contents of assessment roll
308.217
Form of assessment and tax rolls
308.219
Assessment and tax rolls
308.225
Boundary changes
308.231
Only registered appraisers to appraise real property
308.232
Property to be valued at 100 percent real market value and assessed at assessed value
308.233
Use of sales data for physical appraisal
308.234
Record of last appraisal
308.235
Valuation of real property
308.236
Land values to reflect presence of roads
308.240
Description of real property
308.242
Assessor’s authority to change roll after September 25 limited
308.245
Maps
308.250
Valuation and assessment of personal property
308.256
Assessment, taxation and exemption of watercraft and materials of shipyards, ship repair facilities and offshore drilling rigs
308.260
Watercraft used for reduction or processing of deep-sea fish
308.270
Public lands sold or contracted to be sold to be placed on assessment roll
308.275
Use of reproduction cost or prices and costs in determining assessed values
308.285
Requiring taxpayer to furnish list of taxable property
308.290
Returns
308.295
Penalties for failure to file real property or combined return on time
308.296
Penalty for failure to file return reporting only personal property
308.297
Personal property returns to note penalty for delinquency
308.300
Penalty for neglecting to file real property or combined return with intent to evade taxation
308.302
Disposition of penalties
308.310
When list of persons issued electrical permits supplied
308.316
Examining witnesses, books and records
308.320
Oath of assessor upon completion of assessment roll
308.330
Duty of assessor to assess properly
308.335
Department testing work of county assessors
308.408
“Industrial plant” defined
308.411
Appraisal and real market valuation of industrial plants
308.412
Effect of election to exclude income approach to value under prior law
308.413
Confidential information furnished under ORS 308.411
308.425
Proration of taxes after destruction or damage
308.440
Relief not allowed in case of arson by property owner
308.450
Definitions for ORS 308.450 to 308.481
308.453
Policy
308.456
Application of ORS 308.450 to 308.481
308.457
Determining boundaries of distressed areas
308.459
Valuation of rehabilitated property not to be increased
308.462
Qualifications for limited assessment
308.466
Processing applications for limited assessment
308.468
Fee for limited assessment applications
308.471
Owner to file statement with governing body when rehabilitation project finished
308.474
Owner to file annual statement regarding rental property transactions if agreement filed under ORS 308.462 (2)
308.477
Termination of limited assessment for incomplete construction or noncompliance
308.479
Termination of limited assessment for change of use
308.481
Extending deadline for completion of rehabilitation project
308.490
Determining value of homes for elderly persons
308.505
Definitions for ORS 308.505 to 308.674
308.510
Real and personal property classified for ORS 308.505 to 308.674
308.515
Department to make annual assessment of designated utilities and companies
308.516
Certain exceptions to ORS 308.515
308.517
To whom property assessed
308.518
Legislative intention with respect to ownership or operation of data centers
308.519
Local assessment of data center property
308.521
Property of cooperative providing steam or hot water heat by combustion of biomass exempt
308.524
Companies to file statements
308.525
Contents of statement
308.530
Company not relieved from making other reports
308.535
Extension of time for making reports or statements
308.540
Department to prepare assessment roll
308.545
Mode of valuing property
308.550
Valuing property of company operating both within and without state
308.555
Unit valuation of property
308.558
Taxation of aircraft
308.560
Assessment roll
308.565
Apportionment of assessment among counties
308.570
Determining value per mile of main and branch lines of companies using rail lines
308.575
Determining value per mile of property of companies using wire, pipe or pole lines or operational routes
308.580
Department to review and correct tentative assessment roll
308.582
Notice of tentative assessment
308.584
Request for conference to modify tentative assessment
308.585
Delivery of tentative assessment roll to director
308.590
Review and correction of tentative assessment roll
308.595
Notice when valuation increased or omitted property placed on tentative assessment roll
308.600
Director’s examination of rolls
308.605
Entry of corrections and changes
308.610
Oath of director upon completion of review
308.615
Keeping roll as public record
308.621
When assessment complete
308.624
Correction of certified roll
308.628
Omitted property subject to assessment
308.632
Notice of intention to add omitted property to assessment roll
308.636
Correction of assessment roll to reflect omitted property
308.640
Assessment and taxation of personal property of small private railcar companies
308.645
Reports by companies of mileage to county assessors
308.650
Companies to maintain principal office and agent within state
308.655
Rules and regulations
308.665
Railroad car exemption
308.671
Elective exemption of certain communication-related property
308.674
Exemption equal to difference between real market value of company’s centrally assessable property and 130 percent of cost of company’s centrally assessable real and tangible personal property
308.701
Definitions for ORS 308.701 to 308.724
308.704
Option of owner to choose special assessment
308.707
Valuation of multiunit rental property subject to special assessment
308.709
Application procedure
308.712
Methods to determine specially assessed value
308.714
Disqualification
308.723
Application of property tax expenditure funding
308.724
Rules
308.805
Mutual and cooperative electric distribution systems subject to tax on gross earnings
308.807
Amount of tax
308.810
Association to file statement
308.815
Examination of return by department
308.820
Tax as a lien
308.865
Notice and payment of taxes before movement of mobile modular unit
308.866
Definition of “mobile modular unit”
308.875
Manufactured structures classified as real or personal property
308.880
Travel or special use trailer eligible for ad valorem taxation upon application of owner
308.885
Determination of real market value of manufactured structure without physical appraisal
308.990
Penalties
Green check means up to date. Up to date