Josephine County uses the same Oregon tax foreclosure law as every other county. After three years of delinquent property taxes the county can foreclose through the circuit court, and owners then have a two-year redemption period to pay what's owed. You keep ownership, and the right to sell, until the property is deeded to the county.
The process in Josephine County
- Taxes become delinquent. Property taxes are due November 15, or in thirds on November 15, February 15 and May 15. Anything still unpaid after May 15 is delinquent, with interest at 1⅓% per month (16% a year).
- Three years pass. Each year's unpaid bill adds to the balance, each with its own interest.
- Foreclosure list and notice. The Josephine County tax office prepares the foreclosure list, mails notice to owners and lienholders, and adds a 5% penalty.
- Publication and judgment. The list is published in a local newspaper and the county asks Josephine County Circuit Court for a foreclosure judgment.
- Two-year redemption period. After the judgment you still own the home and can pay the full amount to redeem it. The county sends a reminder about a year before the deadline.
- Deed to the county. If the redemption amount isn't paid, the property is deeded to Josephine County.
Finding out exactly what you owe
Your annual tax statement will show delinquent years. Josephine County also offers online property record lookups, and the county's Treasury and Tax office in Grants Pass can give an exact payoff and tell you whether a judgment has been entered. Ask for the figure as of a specific date, because interest keeps adding up every month.
Options for Josephine County homeowners
- Partial payments before judgment. Chipping away at the oldest year first can keep it from reaching the three-year mark.
- Senior and disabled deferral. Josephine County administers Oregon's deferral program locally. Qualifying owners can have the state pay the taxes, with a lien repaid later. See how the deferral works.
- Refinancing or family help if there's enough equity and income.
- Selling. The taxes, interest and penalties are paid from the sale at closing. This is often the best route when the balance has grown too large to catch up, or for an inherited house nobody plans to live in. See inherited houses with back taxes.
Rural properties, acreage and older homes
A lot of Josephine County homes are on acreage, on wells and septic, or need real work. That can make a traditional listing slow or hard to finance, which matters when the county clock is running. We buy as-is throughout the county, including properties that won't qualify for a conventional loan.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice, and Rogue Valley Cash Buyers is not affiliated with any county or government agency. Deadlines and amounts depend on your specific account — your county tax collector can confirm exactly what you owe, and an Oregon attorney can advise on your situation.