OAR 150-311-0650: Homestead Requirements

(1) For property to qualify for tax deferral under ORS 311.666 to 311.701, the property must be the homestead of the applicant while the property taxes are being deferred. This means all individual or joint applicants must live on the property. (2) The only exception to section (1) is for situations in which the applicant is required to live away from the homestead by reason of the applicant’s health. “By reason of health” means that the applicant needs to be away from the property in order to facilitate or obtain medical care or to provide the applicant’s basic life needs. Basic life needs include but are not limited to preparation of meals, personal hygiene, or daily care of oneself. (3) If the applicant in the deferral program is not living at the homestead for reasons of health, the applicant must provide a letter from a medical provider stating the applicant is unable to provide medical care or basic life needs for himself or herself. (4) Neither the applicant nor the medical provider is required to give a specific date by which the applicant will return to the homestead. (5) If the applicant is absent from the homestead by reason of the health of the applicant, the Oregon Department of Revenue will continue paying the property taxes as long as the property remains otherwise eligible or until one of the events under ORS 311.684 occurs. Example 1: Jack and Jane are co-applicants and have been participants in the Senior Deferral program for five years. During a snowstorm in February, Jack fell and broke a hip. Jack has been sent to a nursing home for physical therapy and rehabilitation. Jane notified the department of the situation through a letter from Jack’s doctor. Because Jack and Jane both meet the homestead requirement, the Oregon Department of Revenue will continue to pay the property taxes to the county through the deferral program. Example 2: Same basic scenario as in Example 1. Jane, Jack’s co-applicant, moves closer to the nursing home so she doesn’t have so far to travel to visit him. All applicants must either live on the property or meet “by reason of health” requirements. Because Jane does not meet the “by reason of health” exception and does not live on the property, the property will not qualify for the deferral program. Both co-applicants must meet the homestead requirements. (6) An applicant who is away from the homestead by reason of health may rent or lease the homestead to another individual or individuals. This activity will not affect the payment of the property taxes by the department unless it causes the household income to exceed the maximum income allowed for the year in question.