(Salem, OR)—For those who dread tax season every year, the Oregon Department of Revenue says there’s no reason to let filing taxes cause them to sweat. Taking a few easy steps in the next few weeks can make preparing 2024 tax returns easier in 2025—and lower taxpayers’ heart rates in the process.
“Most people don’t want to think about their taxes until it’s time to fill out their returns,” said Revenue’s Megan Denison. “But doing a few simple things in the weeks before tax season can make filling out your return and filing on time less stressful.”
The following suggestions will make filing a tax year 2024 return in 2025 simpler and less stressful, she said.
View online account information
Taxpayers can make sure their information—like their username, password, and address—is current at Revenue Online, the state’s internet tax portal, and verify any estimated tax payments they’ve made. Those who don’t have a Revenue Online account can sign up on the agency’s website.
The first time taxpayers log in to their Revenue Online account, they will be prompted to set up two-step verification to help protect their profile. The two-step verification can be done through an authentication app, text message, or email. Taxpayers may choose to setup multiple options in case access to a specific device or account is unavailable. Taxpayers also have the option to not use two-step verification.
Gather and organize tax records
Organized tax records make preparing a complete and accurate tax return easier and help avoid errors. Taxpayers should wait to file until they have all their tax records including:
Check out the IRS Direct File eligibility screener
The IRS estimates that 640,000 Oregon taxpayers will be among the 30 million US taxpayers who will be able to use the combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon in 2025 to e-file both their federal and state returns for free.
Oregon resident taxpayers who want to know if they will be eligible to use the combination next year can find out using the IRS eligibility checker. Taxpayers who are eligible to use IRS Direct File can start the registration process now by creating an online account to access IRS services.
Use a bank account to speed tax refunds with direct deposit
By filing electronically and choosing direct deposit, taxpayers will get their refund faster. Information is available at this IRS website.
Choose a reputable tax return preparer
Taxpayers should choose a tax return preparer wisely. This is important because taxpayers are responsible for all the information on their return, no matter who prepares it for them. The Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners offers a Licensee Lookup website. The IRS also has a website with information about choosing a tax professional.
Denison also pointed out that free help filing a return is available for those who need it.
Taxpayers can also signup for the new “Oregon Tax Tips” direct email newsletter to keep up with information about tax return filing and how to claim helpful tax credits.
To get tax forms, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments, visit www.oregon.gov/dor or email questions.dor@oregon.gov. You also can call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing- or speech-impaired), we accept all relay calls.
Oregon resident taxpayers who want to know if they will be eligible to use the combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon to electronically file their tax year 2024 federal and state income tax returns next year can find out using the IRS eligibility checker.
The IRS estimates that 640,000 Oregon taxpayers will be among the 30 million U.S. taxpayers who will be able to use IRS Direct File in 2025 to e-file both their federal and state returns for free.
To find out if they qualify, taxpayers can use the IRS eligibility checker. They’ll be asked a few simple questions about the types of income they report on their tax return and a few more about credits and deductions they claim. Taxpayers who are eligible to use IRS Direct File can start the registration process now by creating an online account to access IRS services.
Taxpayers should also make sure their information is current in Revenue Online, the state’s internet tax portal. Those who don’t have a Revenue Online account can sign up on the agency’s website.
The first time taxpayers log in to their Revenue Online account, they will be prompted to set up two-step verification to help protect their profile. The two-step verification can be done through an authentication app, text message, or email. The department recommends choosing to setup multiple options in case access to a specific device or account is unavailable.
The IRS first offered a direct file option as part of a pilot program in 12 states in the second half of the 2024 tax season. The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced in May that it would make IRS Direct File a permanent option for taxpayers and invited all 50 states to participate to create a seamless free filing system for both federal and state taxes. Oregon was the first of 12 new states to accept the invitation from the IRS in June.
In the first full year in 2025, the federal government is expanding the types of returns that can be filed using IRS Direct File.
During the pilot last year, IRS Direct File covered limited tax situations, including wage income reported on a W-2 form, Social Security income, unemployment compensation and certain credits and deductions. For the 2025 filing season, IRS Direct File will also support Forms 1099 for interest income greater than $1,500, retirement income and the Form 1099 for Alaska residents reporting the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend. (See the attached graphic for more on who will be able to use IRS Direct File in 2025.)
Using the eligibility checker is best way for taxpayers to determine if their particular tax situation will make them eligible for the direct file program. Any Oregon resident taxpayer who is eligible to use IRS Direct File in 2025 and is not a first-time filer in Oregon will be able to seamlessly connect to Direct File Oregon to file their state income tax return.