Clackamas tax foreclosure: three years late, then an August list

Clackamas County’s tax office explains foreclosure on its own page. Property tax may be paid in full by November 15 or in three parts: November 15, February 15, and May 15. Anything still unpaid on May 16 is delinquent. The property can be foreclosed when the tax is three years delinquent. The yearly statement shows which old year puts the account in that group.

The page lists notices around May 16, June 16, and July 16. The county says those dates can vary by year. The third notice names the newspaper, the publication date, and the last day to pay if you want to avoid the 5 percent penalty. Payment has to be received by 5 p.m. on that day. A postmark is not enough.

Each August the board’s chosen newspaper prints the foreclosure list. The 5 percent penalty is added to the published total of tax and interest. The list includes the owner’s name, account numbers, tax years, and amounts. After the list goes to the paper, getting off it means paying the full three-year delinquency plus interest plus the penalty. Someone who thinks the property should not be on the list must file reasons with the court within 30 days of publication. Judgment follows about 30 days after publication.

A two-year redemption period follows judgment. Payoff is a lump sum: the taxes and interest in the case, the 5 percent penalty, 9 percent interest, and fees. Partial payments are not taken. Only people with a legal stake, such as an owner of record, an heir, or a lienholder, can redeem. When the period ends, the county takes the deed and the owner’s rights end. A former owner may ask the board for a buy-back. The board does not have to agree. The county can later sell the land as surplus.

The tax office phone on the page is 503-655-8671. The office is in Oregon City. Do not print the street. Do not copy owner names from an old board minute into this hub.

Tax sales shelf. Quiet byline: Taxsalenearby.