(A) Be in writing on a form supplied by the Department of Revenue;

(B) Describe the homestead;

(C) Recite all facts establishing the eligibility of the homestead for, and of the taxpayers to claim, the deferral; and

(D) Have attached:

(i) Any documentary proof required by the department; and

(ii) A statement verified by a written declaration of all taxpayers claiming deferral to the effect that the statements contained in the claim are true.

(b) The claim for deferral must be filed with the assessor of the county in which the homestead is located, after January 1 and on or before April 15 immediately preceding the property tax year for which deferral is claimed.

(2) The county assessor shall forward each claim filed under this section to the department, and the department shall determine whether the property is eligible for the deferral.

(3) If the taxpayers and the homestead are determined to be eligible under ORS 311.668 and 311.670, respectively, a timely claim for deferral has the effect of:

(a) Deferring the payment of the property taxes levied on the homestead for the property tax year beginning on July 1 of the year in which the claim is filed.

(b) Continuing the deferral of the payment by the taxpayers of any property taxes deferred under ORS 311.666 to 311.701 for previous years that have not become delinquent under ORS 311.686.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in ORS 311.689, continuing the deferral of the payment by the taxpayers of any future property taxes for as long as the homestead remains eligible for, and the taxpayers remain eligible to claim, the deferral.

(4)(a) Notwithstanding subsection (3) of this section:

(A) For the property tax year beginning on July 1, 2012, the maximum number of claims for deferral under ORS 311.666 to 311.701 that may be granted to taxpayers who have not previously been granted deferral is the number of such claims granted for the property tax year beginning on July 1, 2011, multiplied by 105 percent.

(B) For each property tax year beginning after July 1, 2012, the maximum number of claims for deferral that may be granted to taxpayers who have not previously been granted deferral is the maximum number determined under this subsection for the immediately preceding property tax year multiplied by 105 percent.

(b) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this subsection, spouses who continue deferral under ORS 311.688 are not considered taxpayers who have not previously been granted deferral.

(c) If the number of eligible claims described in paragraph (a) of this subsection exceeds the maximum number determined under paragraph (a) of this subsection, claims shall be granted in ascending order based on the ratio that is equal to the real market value of the homestead entered on the last certified assessment and tax roll divided by the county median RMV of the homestead determined under ORS 311.670 (6), until the maximum number determined under paragraph (a) of this subsection is reached.

(5) Any taxpayer aggrieved by the denial of a claim for, or discontinuation of, deferral under ORS 311.666 to 311.701 may appeal in the manner provided by ORS 305.404 to 305.560. [1963 c.569 §10; 1977 c.160 §4; 1983 c.550 §4; 1989 c.948 §15; 1993 c.19 §12; 1995 c.803 §2; 1999 c.1097 §3; 2011 c.723 §4; 2013 c.31 §3; 2013 c.494 §2; 2015 c.309 §4]