In Oregon, a county can start tax foreclosure once property taxes have been delinquent for three years. After the court grants a foreclosure judgment, the owner gets a two-year redemption period to pay everything owed. If it still isn't paid, the property is deeded to the county. You keep ownership — and the right to sell — until that deed.
The timeline, step by step
Here's how the process generally runs in Jackson County under Oregon law (ORS chapter 312). Josephine County follows the same state law, though exact mailing and publication dates can differ slightly.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| November 15 | Property taxes for the new tax year are due (in full, or in thirds on Nov 15, Feb 15 and May 15). |
| May 16 | Anything still unpaid is delinquent. Interest runs at 1⅓% per month (16% a year) until it's paid. |
| Years 1–3 | Each new year's unpaid bill stacks on top, each with its own interest. You can still pay, including partial payments. |
| 3 years delinquent (July) | The county mails foreclosure notices by regular and certified mail. A 5% penalty is added. |
| August | The foreclosure list is published in the newspaper and the county applies to circuit court for a judgment. |
| ~30 days later | The court grants the foreclosure judgment. The two-year redemption period begins. Partial payments are no longer accepted. |
| 1 year after judgment | The county notifies owners and lienholders that the redemption period ends in one year. |
| 2 years after judgment | The redemption period expires and the property is deeded to the county. The owner's rights end. |
Why "five years" is less time than it sounds
It's easy to hear "three years plus two" and feel like there's plenty of runway. In practice, the debt grows the entire time: every year adds a new tax bill, every unpaid dollar earns 16% interest, and a penalty kicks in once foreclosure starts. After the judgment, the county generally wants the full balance in one payment — which is a much harder number to reach than the original bill. See how fast back taxes grow for a worked example.
Where you are in the timeline changes your options
- Before the foreclosure judgment: you can pay down the balance in pieces, apply for programs like the senior and disabled deferral, refinance, or sell.
- During the redemption period: you still own the house and can still sell it, but the payoff generally has to be made in full. See selling during the redemption period.
- After the deed to the county: ownership is gone. Under Oregon's newer surplus law you may be able to claim leftover sale money, but it's usually far less than your equity. See what happens to your equity.
How to find out exactly where you stand
Your tax statement will usually flag years that are subject to foreclosure. The Jackson County Tax Collector's office at 10 S Oakdale Avenue in Medford can give you an exact payoff and tell you whether a judgment has been entered. If you'd rather not make that call yourself, we're happy to look it up with you as part of putting together an offer — there's no cost or obligation.
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 — the Jackson County (or Josephine County) Tax Collector can confirm exactly what you owe and where your property is in the process, and an Oregon attorney can advise on your situation.