compression. The Statesman Journal takes a look at this growing issue facing local governments.

A tale of two tax statements shows differences in taxpayer costs

Values are equal, but taxes are not

Written by Timm Collins, Statesman Journal

On one of Salem’s many walkable neighborhood streets sit two houses that, other than slight differences in facade, could be the same home.

They are about the same size, built the same year and are on equally sized lots.

The families in these homes use the same streets and are both connected to city water. They are protected by the same police force and fire department, and the children attend the same school.

There is one difference: One homeowner paid more property taxes last year.

How is this possible?

Due to a phenomenon called “property tax compression” created by Oregon’s complex tax system, homeowners who could sell their homes for exactly the same price can, and do, pay significantly different tax amounts.

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