Oregon Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
Qualified disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses may be eligible for a property tax exemption on their Oregon primary residence.
For Portland area veterans, this benefit applies to homes in Multnomah County, Washington County, Clackamas County, and every other Oregon county when eligibility requirements are met. If you're considering SW Washington, Clark County has its own separate program, which I cover below.
What Is the Oregon Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption?
Oregon allows qualifying disabled veterans and surviving spouses or registered domestic partners to exempt a portion of their homestead property's assessed value from property taxes.
It doesn't erase the entire property tax bill. Instead, it reduces your taxable assessed value by the exemption amount, which lowers the bill you pay each year.
New to how Oregon and Washington property taxes work? My Homebuyer's Guide to Property Taxes explains assessed value, tax rates, and how to estimate taxes before you buy.
2026 Oregon Exemption Amounts: According to the Oregon Department of Revenue, qualifying applicants may exempt either $27,092 or $32,512 of assessed value, depending on how they qualify. The amount increases by 3% each year.
Who May Qualify?
Eligibility depends on ownership, residency, discharge status, disability certification, and whether you're applying as a disabled veteran or as a surviving spouse or registered domestic partner.
Disabled Veterans
You may qualify if you're an Oregon resident, own and live in the home as your primary residence, received an honorable discharge, and have a qualifying disability rating.
- Generally 40% or more disabled
- Must own and occupy the home
- Must use the home as your primary residence
- Must provide the required documentation
Surviving Spouses
A surviving spouse or registered domestic partner of a qualified veteran may also be eligible if they meet Oregon's requirements.
- Must own and live in the home
- Must generally remain unmarried
- Must provide veteran and relationship documentation
- May qualify in some cases even if the veteran was not disabled
Required Documentation
Requirements can vary by county and type of claim, but Portland area veterans should generally be ready to provide:
- Completed exemption claim form
- DD-214 or other proof of honorable discharge
- VA disability certification or other qualifying disability documentation
- Proof that the home is your primary residence
- Trust documents if the property is held in a revocable trust
- Marriage certificate and death certificate for surviving spouse claims
Need a copy of your DD-214? My Certificate of Eligibility and DD-214 guide shows how to request one.
When Do You Need to Apply?
You file the claim with your county assessor. In Oregon, claims are generally due by April 1 for the tax year that begins that July.
If you buy a home after March 1 and before July 1, you typically have 30 days after you acquire the property to file. Because deadlines matter, I always tell my clients to contact the county assessor right after closing rather than waiting.
County Assessor Resources and Application Information
The exemption is a statewide program, but applications go through your local county assessor. If you own a home in the Portland metro area, use the resources below to review requirements, download forms, and apply.
Multnomah County, Oregon
Veterans in Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, and surrounding Multnomah County communities apply through the Division of Assessment, Recording and Taxation.
- Own and live in a Multnomah County home as your primary residence
- 40% or greater disability certification
- Honorable discharge
- Surviving spouse benefits may be available
Washington County, Oregon
Veterans in Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood, Cornelius, Forest Grove, and surrounding communities apply through Washington County Assessment and Taxation.
- Disabled veteran exemption
- Surviving spouse or registered domestic partner exemption
- Oregon resident requirement
- Primary residence requirement
Clackamas County, Oregon
Veterans in Oregon City, West Linn, Lake Oswego, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, Wilsonville, and surrounding communities apply through the Clackamas County Assessor.
- Disabled veteran exemption
- Higher exemption amount for service connected disabilities
- Surviving spouse or registered domestic partner exemption
- County assessor application process
Clark County, Washington
Moving to Vancouver, Camas, Ridgefield, Battle Ground, or Washougal? Washington's program is separate from Oregon's and works differently.
- Veterans with an 80% or higher service connected disability rating may qualify regardless of age
- Income limits apply
- Seniors and people with disabilities may also qualify
- Apply through the Clark County Assessor
Weighing the Oregon side against SW Washington? My Vancouver WA vs Portland OR comparison looks at taxes, commute, and lifestyle on each side of the river.
Official State and County Resources
Use these official resources to confirm current program details and eligibility before you apply.
Oregon Exemption Guide Oregon Claim Form Multnomah County Washington County OR Clackamas County Clark County WAWhy This Matters When Buying a Home
If you're a disabled veteran buying a home in the Portland area, this exemption can lower your annual property taxes once you qualify and apply.
It isn't automatic, and it shouldn't be counted on in your mortgage qualification unless your lender confirms how it can be used. Still, for long-term planning, it's an important piece when you compare homes, counties, and retirement budgets.
Veterans receiving VA disability compensation are also generally exempt from the VA funding fee. My Complete VA Home Loan Guide and Portland VA Benefits Guide cover the other benefits that can save you money when you buy.
Search Homes in Portland and SW Washington
Browse homes in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties, or across the river in Vancouver, Camas, and Ridgefield.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Oregon have a disabled veteran property tax exemption?
Yes. Oregon offers a property tax exemption for qualifying disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses or registered domestic partners. It reduces the assessed value of your primary residence by a set amount each year.
How much is the Oregon disabled veteran exemption?
According to the Oregon Department of Revenue, qualifying applicants may exempt either $27,092 or $32,512 of assessed value, depending on how they qualify. The amount increases by 3% each year.
What disability rating is required?
Most disabled veteran claims require a disability rating of 40% or more certified by the VA or a branch of the armed forces.
Do I have to live in the home?
Yes. You must own the home and live in it as your primary residence.
Does the exemption remove my full property tax bill?
No. It reduces a portion of your assessed value. It lowers your bill but doesn't eliminate it.
When is the deadline to apply?
Claims are generally due by April 1 for the tax year that begins that July. If you buy a home after March 1 and before July 1, you typically have 30 days after closing to file. Check with your county assessor to confirm.
Where do I apply in the Portland area?
Apply through your county assessor. Portland area homeowners file with Multnomah County, Washington County, or Clackamas County depending on where the home is located.
Does the exemption transfer when I buy a new home?
No. When you buy a different home, file a new claim with the county assessor for the new property, even if you received the exemption on your previous home.
Can a surviving spouse qualify?
Yes. Certain unmarried surviving spouses or registered domestic partners of veterans may qualify if they meet Oregon's requirements.
Does Clark County Washington offer the same exemption as Oregon?
No. Washington has its own property tax exemption program. Veterans with a service connected disability rating of 80% or more may qualify regardless of age, subject to income limits. Apply through the Clark County Assessor.
More Guides for Veteran Homeowners
Meet Your Veteran Realtor
Troy Doty, Principal Broker
Troy Doty is a Principal Broker with Northwest Realty Source in Portland, with 25 years in real estate and over 1,000 homes sold across the Portland metro and SW Washington. As a Marine Corps veteran, Troy has a true passion for helping Portland veterans and active duty military families buy and sell homes, whether you're PCSing in, transitioning out, buying your first home, investing in a duplex, triplex, or fourplex, or right sizing later in life.
Schedule a Call or Video Meeting ➜ More About Troy ➜ Free Veteran Buyer E-BookPrefer to call, text, or email? 503.997.4169 · Text Us · troy@nwrealtysource.com
Troy Doty, Principal Broker, Northwest Realty Source. Licensed in Oregon and Washington. ABR®, MRP, and SRES® are credentials of the National Association of REALTORS® and its affiliates. CIAS™ is a designation of U.S. Realty Training. This page is general information, not legal, tax, or lending advice.
