Salem, Oregon- The Oregon Department of Revenue announced that Oregon taxpayers have already claimed nearly $1.6 billion of the record $5.61 billion surplus revenue kicker tax credit being returned to taxpayers in 2024.
According to the department, over 950,000 tax returns have been received this year, with expectations of another 1.2 million filings by the April 15 deadline. Despite the substantial claims, more than $4 billion in kicker surplus remains unclaimed.
Megan Denison, administrator of the agency’s Personal Tax and Compliance Division, emphasized the importance of timely filing, stating, “More than 1 million taxpayers still need to file and we are urging Oregonians not to wait until the last minute. We also urge anyone who is owed a kicker to file and claim it.”
The kicker, recognized as the largest in state history, is being returned to taxpayers through a credit on their 2023 state personal income tax returns filed in 2024, based on tax liability for the 2022 tax year.
Eligibility for the kicker extends to taxpayers who filed a 2022 tax return and had Oregon state income tax due before credits. Even those without a filing obligation for 2023 must file a return to claim their credit. Notably, the kicker is based on Oregon income tax paid in 2022, not federal income tax.
Taxpayers ineligible for the kicker include those who failed to file a 2022 Oregon income tax return or had no income tax due for 2022. Similarly, individuals who didn’t complete the filing process last year due to unaddressed departmental inquiries are excluded.
To calculate their credit, taxpayers can multiply their 2022 tax liability before credits by 44.28 percent, a percentage certified by the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis. Adjustments made by the department last year should be considered in the calculation.
Taxpayers are encouraged to use the “What’s My Kicker?” Tool available on Revenue Online for accurate calculations, requiring input of name, Social Security Number, and filing status for 2022 and 2023.
Forms for claiming the credit vary based on residency status, outlined in detail on the agency’s website. Residents, part-year residents, nonresidents, as well as composite and fiduciary-income tax return filers, are all eligible.
While taxpayers have the option to donate their kicker to the Oregon State School Fund for K-12 public education, it’s a permanent decision. Additionally, they can donate part or all of their refund to approved charities using Form OR-DONATE.
Free tax preparation services, including software usage and e-filing for eligible taxpayers, are available. The Department of Revenue website provides further information and access to these services.
For additional details, taxpayers are encouraged to visit the Oregon surplus “kicker” credit page on the Department of Revenue website or contact the department directly via phone or email.
For more information, visit http://www.oregon.gov/dor or contact the Department of Revenue at 800-356-4222 (toll-free from an Oregon prefix) or 503-378-4988 (Salem and outside Oregon). Email inquiries can be directed to questions.dor@oregon.gov.
Source: State of Oregon
