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News Release

Two Weeks Left Before Tax Day: Don’t Wait Until The Last Minute To File - 04/01/26

 

Salem, OR— Gone are the days when US Post Offices stayed open late on Tax Day. No more lines of cars in the Post Office driveway after dark. The late local news no longer features live interviews with taxpayers explaining why they waited until the last minute to file.

 

Don’t be fooled, however. Taxpayers still wait until the last minute and it’s almost here.

 

“As much as we wish it wasn’t, it’s normal for nearly half of returns to come in the last two weeks,” said Megan Denison, Personal Tax and Compliance administrator for the Oregon Department of Revenue. “We encourage taxpayers to file early and a lot do, but there are always hundreds of thousands of returns filed in the final weeks, days, and, yes, hours before the deadline.”

 

With two weeks to go before the April 15 deadline, nearly 1 million taxpayers have yet to file their tax year 2025 Oregon personal income tax. The Oregon Department of Revenue is sharing tips to help those taxpayers beat the clock.

 

File electronically

The vast majority of filers—including those who file early, those who file late, and those who file somewhere in the middle—file their returns electronically. E-filing is the fastest way for taxpayers to get their tax refund.

 

Last year more than 94 percent of Oregon personal income tax returns were filed electronically. That’s up from 86 percent just 10 years ago and the percentage keeps inching up every year. The remaining 5 percent, however, still file paper returns.

 

Make sure to file your paper return on time

Taxpayers who choose to file a paper return should mail it early. The federal and state tax deadline is April 15, but due to changes at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), returns mailed after April 9 may not receive a postmark of April 15 or before. 

 

Taxpayers who miss the suggested mail deadline, can take their return to a USPS office during regular business hours no later than April 15, 2026 and make an in-person request to have their return manually postmarked at the counter. 

 

While taxpayers will find Post Offices closed after regular business hours on Tax Day, the Department of Revenue still offers a last-minute option—at least for Oregon returns.

 

Department of Revenue staff will be on hand in the lobby of the Revenue headquarters building in Salem to accept and date stamp returns for taxpayers 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, April 13, through Tax Day, Wednesday, April 15. Taxpayers can also hand deliver their returns to DOR Regional offices in Bend, Eugene, Gresham, Medford, and Portland during regular business hours.

 

After hours, paper Oregon personal income tax returns can be deposited in drop boxes available on both the east and west sides of the Salem office; on the west side of the Portland State Office Building; or outside the DOR offices in Eugene, Medford, and Bend. A drop box inside DOR’s Gresham office is available during business hours.

 

The department doesn’t recommend using the state drop boxes for federal returns. Paper federal returns should be sent to the IRS. Federal returns dropped in the DOR drop boxes are date stamped and forwarded to the IRS, but the Department of Revenue can’t guarantee that the IRS will accept them as having been filed on time.

 

Other things taxpayers should know

The Oregon surplus revenue kicker is a refundable credit that will either increase a taxpayer's Oregon state income tax refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe. It is not sent to taxpayers separately as a check. Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and also file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker.

 

Taxpayers can use Free Fillable Forms to file their federal return and then use Direct File Oregon to file their Oregon personal income tax return directly with the state through Revenue Online. Other free electronic filing options are available for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free.

 

From IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites to Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) or AARP Foundation TaxAide locations, Oregon taxpayers needing free assistance can find free tax assistance sites near them on the Department of Revenue Department’s interactive map or through the United Way’s MyFreeTaxes program.

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Two Weeks Left Before Tax Day: Don’t Wait Until The Last Minute To File - 04/01/26

 

Salem, OR— Gone are the days when US Post Offices stayed open late on Tax Day. No more lines of cars in the Post Office driveway after dark. The late local news no longer features live interviews with taxpayers explaining why they waited until the last minute to file.

 

Don’t be fooled, however. Taxpayers still wait until the last minute and it’s almost here.

 

“As much as we wish it wasn’t, it’s normal for nearly half of returns to come in the last two weeks,” said Megan Denison, Personal Tax and Compliance administrator for the Oregon Department of Revenue. “We encourage taxpayers to file early and a lot do, but there are always hundreds of thousands of returns filed in the final weeks, days, and, yes, hours before the deadline.”

 

With two weeks to go before the April 15 deadline, nearly 1 million taxpayers have yet to file their tax year 2025 Oregon personal income tax. The Oregon Department of Revenue is sharing tips to help those taxpayers beat the clock.

 

File electronically

The vast majority of filers—including those who file early, those who file late, and those who file somewhere in the middle—file their returns electronically. E-filing is the fastest way for taxpayers to get their tax refund.

 

Last year more than 94 percent of Oregon personal income tax returns were filed electronically. That’s up from 86 percent just 10 years ago and the percentage keeps inching up every year. The remaining 5 percent, however, still file paper returns.

 

Make sure to file your paper return on time

Taxpayers who choose to file a paper return should mail it early. The federal and state tax deadline is April 15, but due to changes at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), returns mailed after April 9 may not receive a postmark of April 15 or before. 

 

Taxpayers who miss the suggested mail deadline, can take their return to a USPS office during regular business hours no later than April 15, 2026 and make an in-person request to have their return manually postmarked at the counter. 

 

While taxpayers will find Post Offices closed after regular business hours on Tax Day, the Department of Revenue still offers a last-minute option—at least for Oregon returns.

 

Department of Revenue staff will be on hand in the lobby of the Revenue headquarters building in Salem to accept and date stamp returns for taxpayers 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, April 13, through Tax Day, Wednesday, April 15. Taxpayers can also hand deliver their returns to DOR Regional offices in Bend, Eugene, Gresham, Medford, and Portland during regular business hours.

 

After hours, paper Oregon personal income tax returns can be deposited in drop boxes available on both the east and west sides of the Salem office; on the west side of the Portland State Office Building; or outside the DOR offices in Eugene, Medford, and Bend. A drop box inside DOR’s Gresham office is available during business hours.

 

The department doesn’t recommend using the state drop boxes for federal returns. Paper federal returns should be sent to the IRS. Federal returns dropped in the DOR drop boxes are date stamped and forwarded to the IRS, but the Department of Revenue can’t guarantee that the IRS will accept them as having been filed on time.

 

Other things taxpayers should know

The Oregon surplus revenue kicker is a refundable credit that will either increase a taxpayer's Oregon state income tax refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe. It is not sent to taxpayers separately as a check. Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and also file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker.

 

Taxpayers can use Free Fillable Forms to file their federal return and then use Direct File Oregon to file their Oregon personal income tax return directly with the state through Revenue Online. Other free electronic filing options are available for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free.

 

From IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites to Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) or AARP Foundation TaxAide locations, Oregon taxpayers needing free assistance can find free tax assistance sites near them on the Department of Revenue Department’s interactive map or through the United Way’s MyFreeTaxes program.

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Salem Restaurant Owner Pleads Guilty To Three Counts Of Tax Evasion - 03/24/26

Salem, OR—The Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) announced today that the Oregon Department of Justice has secured a guilty plea by a Salem restaurant owner on three counts of tax evasion, each a class C felony, on February 19, 2026 in the Marion County Circuit Court.

 

While April 15 is well known across the country as “Tax Day,” the majority of taxpayers make their tax payments through withholding taken out of each paycheck throughout the year by their employer and paid to the IRS and DOR. This is how most Oregonians pay into our shared services. They trust that the money taken out of each paycheck goes towards funding public safety, public education, programs that care for Oregonians who need extra support, our beloved parks, and more.

 

The DOR works hard to ensure exactly that happens. So when a local businessowner, defendant Michael Richard Pfohl of Salem, Oregon, failed to file quarterly tax reports and  remit employee contributions, and refused to work with the DOR to pay down his delinquent debts, he was charged with 10 counts of tax evasion.

 

The plea agreement includes a sentence of supervised probation for 48 months, 80 hours of community service, and a criminal fine of $6,000. The defendant also served three days of jail starting February 20, 2026, the day after the court judgment.

 

“The plea agreement indicates that the defendant, Michael Richard Pfohl, must cooperate with DOR to pay outstanding debt owed to the state,” said Deborah Love-Wagner, DOR’s acting Collection Division administrator. “The plea deal lays out the defendant’s multiple failures to pay taxes that support the state and the essential services supporting our residents.

 

“Bringing tax delinquency issues to the courts may be a necessary step for some taxpayers who do not take steps available to resolve their debt with our department. The Oregon Department of Justice’s actions in partnership with DOR helped the state ensure our tax system works fairly when other pathways available to taxpayers are ignored. Businesses and workers can feel confident that our tax system is fair for everyone whose taxes pay for our roads, schools, housing, and community health.”

 

In addition, the defendant was ordered to pay $90,232 in restitution as a condition for his plea agreement, representing all tax obligations included in the indictment.

 

DOR works with taxpayers out of compliance

 

Jail time for state tax evasion is not commonplace. That is because the DOR considers individuals and businesses to be in compliance with Oregon tax laws if they are making a good faith effort to work with the department to pay what they owe and have filed all tax reports or returns that are required by law.

 

The department regularly works with individuals or businesses to resolve tax issues and tax debt. Taxpayers out of compliance may have missing tax returns that are required to be filed or may have an outstanding balance that remains unpaid and do not have a department-approved payment plan in place.

 

For each of the three guilty pleas for tax evasion, Mr. Pfohl failed to file quarterly tax reports. Mr. Pfohl admits in his plea to not filing tax reports, required by employers in remitting payroll taxes to Oregon, for the first quarter of 2021, the first quarter of 2022, and the first quarter of 2023.

 

DOR recognizes many taxpayers may have legitimate issues preventing them from fulfilling their tax obligations. DOR offers payment plans up to 36 months. Visit Revenue Online to set up a payment plan. Taxpayers who may be out of compliance should contact the DOR by phone at 503-378-4988 or 800-356-4222, or by email at questions.dor@dor.oregon.gov.

 

Oregon’s tax system relies on taxpayers voluntarily filing returns and paying what they owe. Compliance efforts, such as audits, filing enforcement, and collection activity are essential tools to ensure Oregon receives revenue the state counts on to fund services for Oregonians. DOR will take enforcement actions for non-compliance to ensure state tax laws are administered fairly for all Oregonians.

 

DOR provides a tip line for the public to share suspected fraudulent activities. Those who suspect an employer is refusing to withhold taxes from a paycheck can report the issue as tax fraud to us online or by calling 503-945-8264. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Salem Restaurant Owner Pleads Guilty To Three Counts Of Tax Evasion - 03/24/26

Salem, OR—The Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) announced today that the Oregon Department of Justice has secured a guilty plea by a Salem restaurant owner on three counts of tax evasion, each a class C felony, on February 19, 2026 in the Marion County Circuit Court.

 

While April 15 is well known across the country as “Tax Day,” the majority of taxpayers make their tax payments through withholding taken out of each paycheck throughout the year by their employer and paid to the IRS and DOR. This is how most Oregonians pay into our shared services. They trust that the money taken out of each paycheck goes towards funding public safety, public education, programs that care for Oregonians who need extra support, our beloved parks, and more.

 

The DOR works hard to ensure exactly that happens. So when a local businessowner, defendant Michael Richard Pfohl of Salem, Oregon, failed to file quarterly tax reports and  remit employee contributions, and refused to work with the DOR to pay down his delinquent debts, he was charged with 10 counts of tax evasion.

 

The plea agreement includes a sentence of supervised probation for 48 months, 80 hours of community service, and a criminal fine of $6,000. The defendant also served three days of jail starting February 20, 2026, the day after the court judgment.

 

“The plea agreement indicates that the defendant, Michael Richard Pfohl, must cooperate with DOR to pay outstanding debt owed to the state,” said Deborah Love-Wagner, DOR’s acting Collection Division administrator. “The plea deal lays out the defendant’s multiple failures to pay taxes that support the state and the essential services supporting our residents.

 

“Bringing tax delinquency issues to the courts may be a necessary step for some taxpayers who do not take steps available to resolve their debt with our department. The Oregon Department of Justice’s actions in partnership with DOR helped the state ensure our tax system works fairly when other pathways available to taxpayers are ignored. Businesses and workers can feel confident that our tax system is fair for everyone whose taxes pay for our roads, schools, housing, and community health.”

 

In addition, the defendant was ordered to pay $90,232 in restitution as a condition for his plea agreement, representing all tax obligations included in the indictment.

 

DOR works with taxpayers out of compliance

 

Jail time for state tax evasion is not commonplace. That is because the DOR considers individuals and businesses to be in compliance with Oregon tax laws if they are making a good faith effort to work with the department to pay what they owe and have filed all tax reports or returns that are required by law.

 

The department regularly works with individuals or businesses to resolve tax issues and tax debt. Taxpayers out of compliance may have missing tax returns that are required to be filed or may have an outstanding balance that remains unpaid and do not have a department-approved payment plan in place.

 

For each of the three guilty pleas for tax evasion, Mr. Pfohl failed to file quarterly tax reports. Mr. Pfohl admits in his plea to not filing tax reports, required by employers in remitting payroll taxes to Oregon, for the first quarter of 2021, the first quarter of 2022, and the first quarter of 2023.

 

DOR recognizes many taxpayers may have legitimate issues preventing them from fulfilling their tax obligations. DOR offers payment plans up to 36 months. Visit Revenue Online to set up a payment plan. Taxpayers who may be out of compliance should contact the DOR by phone at 503-378-4988 or 800-356-4222, or by email at questions.dor@dor.oregon.gov.

 

Oregon’s tax system relies on taxpayers voluntarily filing returns and paying what they owe. Compliance efforts, such as audits, filing enforcement, and collection activity are essential tools to ensure Oregon receives revenue the state counts on to fund services for Oregonians. DOR will take enforcement actions for non-compliance to ensure state tax laws are administered fairly for all Oregonians.

 

DOR provides a tip line for the public to share suspected fraudulent activities. Those who suspect an employer is refusing to withhold taxes from a paycheck can report the issue as tax fraud to us online or by calling 503-945-8264. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Haven’t Filed Your Taxes Yet? Here’s What You Should Know - 03/19/26

Salem, OR— Whether it’s where to find free tax help, how to track the status of your refund, or what refundable tax credits you’re eligible to claim, the Oregon Department of Revenue wants to make sure you have the information you need to file tax year 2025 tax returns before the April 15 deadline.

 

Through March 15, DOR has processed 937,000 electronically filed returns with more than half of the expected 2.2 million Oregon personal income tax returns yet to be filed. The department urges taxpayers not to wait until the last minute to file. If you have questions about filing you can find the information you need on the department’s website with guidance addressing the most common issues included below.

 

File electronically

“The best advice we can give taxpayers is to be certain their return is complete and accurate, and to file their return electronically,” said Megan Denison, administrator of DOR’s Personal Tax and Compliance Division. “If they need help, free assistance is available at sites across the state, along with a variety of options to e-file for free.”

 

On average, taxpayers who file electronically and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund within two weeks. Distribution of refunds for e-filed returns began in mid-February. Due to the late receipt of tax form information from the IRS in late 2025, processing of paper-filed returns has been delayed until late March and refunds for paper filed returns will not start being issued until early April.

 

Taxpayers looking for the status of their refund for e-filed returns can use DOR’s Where’s My Refund? tool.

 

Mailing your return? Mail it early

Taxpayers who choose to file a paper return, should mail it early. The federal and state tax deadline is April 15, but due to changes at the U.S. Postal Service, returns mailed in after April 9 may not receive a postmark on time. Taxpayers who still want to mail their paper returns can take them to a local USPS office and request a postmark no later than April 15, 2026. 

 

Paper returns can also be physically deposited in drop boxes available on both the east and west sides of the Department of Revenue Building in Salem, or outside the DOR offices in Portland, Eugene, Medford, and Bend. A drop box at DOR’s Gresham office is available during business hours.

 

Claim your “kicker”

The Oregon surplus revenue kicker is a refundable credit that will either increase a taxpayer's Oregon state income tax refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe. It is not sent to taxpayers separately as a check.

 

Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and also file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker. The credit is a percentage of Oregon personal income tax liability for the 2024 tax year.

 

Taxpayers can determine the amount of their kicker using a “What’s My Kicker? calculator available on Revenue Online.

 

Free electronic filing options are available

Direct File Oregon: Taxpayers can use Free Fillable Forms to file their federal return and then use Direct File Oregon to file their Oregon personal income tax return directly with the state.

 

Now in its third year, Direct File Oregon is a free interview-based program and allows taxpayers the convenience and security of filing their Oregon Personal Income Tax return directly with the state of Oregon through Revenue Online. Nearly 4,700 taxpayers have already used Direct File Oregon this year.

 

Other free electronic filing options: Free guided tax preparation is available for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free. These free services work much like the popular pay to file programs.

 

Find free tax filing assistance

From IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites to Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) or AARP Foundation TaxAide locations, Oregon taxpayers needing free assistance have over 107 different places across the state where they can get free in-person help filing their taxes.

 

Free tax help is also available online through the United Way’s MyFreeTaxes program.

Make an appointment at a free tax help site by using the links for each organization on the Department of Revenue's webpage, or consult the department’s interactive map.

 

Check your eligibility and claim your refundable tax credits

Taxpayers should check their eligibility for a series of refundable tax credits for low-income workers and families. A refundable credit not only reduces the amount of tax a taxpayer owes, any leftover credit results in a cash refund that can be deposited directly into their bank account.

  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): The EITC is a fully refundable federal tax credit for people making up to $68,675 in 2025. Families may be eligible for a maximum refundable credit of $8,046 on their federal tax return.
  • Oregon Earned Income Credit: This refundable state tax credit is a percentage of an eligible taxpayer’s federal EITC. The maximum benefit for tax year 2025 is $966. The Oregon EIC is also available to taxpayers who have Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN) rather than Social Security numbers.
  • Oregon Kids Credit: This is a refundable state credit for low-income people with young dependent children. For those with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $26,550 or less, the full credit is $1,050 per child for up to five dependent children under the age of six at the end of the tax year. A partial credit is available for individuals and families with an MAGI up to $31,550.
  • Working Family Household and Dependent Care Credit (WFHDC): Families who are eligible for the Oregon Kids Credit are also likely eligible for the refundable WFHDC, which helps low- to moderate-income families pay for the care of their dependents while they're working, looking for work, or attending school.

Haven’t Filed Your Taxes Yet? Here’s What You Should Know - 03/19/26

Salem, OR— Whether it’s where to find free tax help, how to track the status of your refund, or what refundable tax credits you’re eligible to claim, the Oregon Department of Revenue wants to make sure you have the information you need to file tax year 2025 tax returns before the April 15 deadline.

 

Through March 15, DOR has processed 937,000 electronically filed returns with more than half of the expected 2.2 million Oregon personal income tax returns yet to be filed. The department urges taxpayers not to wait until the last minute to file. If you have questions about filing you can find the information you need on the department’s website with guidance addressing the most common issues included below.

 

File electronically

“The best advice we can give taxpayers is to be certain their return is complete and accurate, and to file their return electronically,” said Megan Denison, administrator of DOR’s Personal Tax and Compliance Division. “If they need help, free assistance is available at sites across the state, along with a variety of options to e-file for free.”

 

On average, taxpayers who file electronically and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund within two weeks. Distribution of refunds for e-filed returns began in mid-February. Due to the late receipt of tax form information from the IRS in late 2025, processing of paper-filed returns has been delayed until late March and refunds for paper filed returns will not start being issued until early April.

 

Taxpayers looking for the status of their refund for e-filed returns can use DOR’s Where’s My Refund? tool.

 

Mailing your return? Mail it early

Taxpayers who choose to file a paper return, should mail it early. The federal and state tax deadline is April 15, but due to changes at the U.S. Postal Service, returns mailed in after April 9 may not receive a postmark on time. Taxpayers who still want to mail their paper returns can take them to a local USPS office and request a postmark no later than April 15, 2026. 

 

Paper returns can also be physically deposited in drop boxes available on both the east and west sides of the Department of Revenue Building in Salem, or outside the DOR offices in Portland, Eugene, Medford, and Bend. A drop box at DOR’s Gresham office is available during business hours.

 

Claim your “kicker”

The Oregon surplus revenue kicker is a refundable credit that will either increase a taxpayer's Oregon state income tax refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe. It is not sent to taxpayers separately as a check.

 

Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and also file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker. The credit is a percentage of Oregon personal income tax liability for the 2024 tax year.

 

Taxpayers can determine the amount of their kicker using a “What’s My Kicker? calculator available on Revenue Online.

 

Free electronic filing options are available

Direct File Oregon: Taxpayers can use Free Fillable Forms to file their federal return and then use Direct File Oregon to file their Oregon personal income tax return directly with the state.

 

Now in its third year, Direct File Oregon is a free interview-based program and allows taxpayers the convenience and security of filing their Oregon Personal Income Tax return directly with the state of Oregon through Revenue Online. Nearly 4,700 taxpayers have already used Direct File Oregon this year.

 

Other free electronic filing options: Free guided tax preparation is available for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free. These free services work much like the popular pay to file programs.

 

Find free tax filing assistance

From IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites to Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) or AARP Foundation TaxAide locations, Oregon taxpayers needing free assistance have over 107 different places across the state where they can get free in-person help filing their taxes.

 

Free tax help is also available online through the United Way’s MyFreeTaxes program.

Make an appointment at a free tax help site by using the links for each organization on the Department of Revenue's webpage, or consult the department’s interactive map.

 

Check your eligibility and claim your refundable tax credits

Taxpayers should check their eligibility for a series of refundable tax credits for low-income workers and families. A refundable credit not only reduces the amount of tax a taxpayer owes, any leftover credit results in a cash refund that can be deposited directly into their bank account.

  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): The EITC is a fully refundable federal tax credit for people making up to $68,675 in 2025. Families may be eligible for a maximum refundable credit of $8,046 on their federal tax return.
  • Oregon Earned Income Credit: This refundable state tax credit is a percentage of an eligible taxpayer’s federal EITC. The maximum benefit for tax year 2025 is $966. The Oregon EIC is also available to taxpayers who have Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN) rather than Social Security numbers.
  • Oregon Kids Credit: This is a refundable state credit for low-income people with young dependent children. For those with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $26,550 or less, the full credit is $1,050 per child for up to five dependent children under the age of six at the end of the tax year. A partial credit is available for individuals and families with an MAGI up to $31,550.
  • Working Family Household and Dependent Care Credit (WFHDC): Families who are eligible for the Oregon Kids Credit are also likely eligible for the refundable WFHDC, which helps low- to moderate-income families pay for the care of their dependents while they're working, looking for work, or attending school.

With Less Than Five Weeks To Go Before Tax Deadline State Has Issued 720,000 Refunds - 03/12/26

Salem, OR— Heading into the final month of the 2026 tax season, the Oregon Department of Revenue has received and processed 860,000 electronically-filed Oregon personal income tax returns and has issued 720,000 refunds.

 

Most taxpayers can expect to receive their refunds within two weeks of the date their return is e-filed. Some returns, however, require additional review and can take longer. Taxpayers looking for the status of their refund can use DOR’s Where’s My Refund? tool.

 

The Where’s My Refund? tool was enhanced last year and now provides:

  • Additional detail about refund status. 
  • Added functionality to see when the agency is requesting additional information to complete processing a return. 
  • Website enhancements for improved customer experience.

To have the benefit of the enhancements, however, taxpayers need to be signed into their Revenue Online account. Taxpayers who don’t already have a Revenue Online account can create one by following the Revenue Online link on the department’s website. Taxpayers can still use the Where’s My Refund? tool without being signed into Revenue Online account, but won’t be able to see the updated features.

 

A video outlining the refund process and timelines is also available to help taxpayers understand the process.

 

Among those refunds that will take longer in 2026 are refunds from paper-filed Oregon Personal Income Tax returns. On average taxpayers who e-file and request direct deposit get their refund two weeks faster than those who file a paper return. The extra wait will be even longer this year.

In the closing months of 2025, the IRS was late providing necessary tax form information to the Department of Revenue creating a delay in the processing of paper-filed state returns. Processing of paper-filed returns is expected to start at the end of March with the first refunds for paper-filed returns expected to be issued in early April.

Oregon is returning a $1.41 billion revenue surplus “kicker” to taxpayers in 2026. The kicker credit will either increase a taxpayer's refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe.

 

Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and also file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker. The credit is a percentage of Oregon personal income tax liability for the 2024 tax year. Taxpayers can determine the amount of their kicker using a “What’s My Kicker? calculator available on Revenue Online.

 

About 60 percent of the 2.2 million Oregon personal income tax returns expected to be filed in 2026 have yet to be filed with less than five weeks to go before the April 15 deadline.

 

Besides the high volume of returns filed at the end of tax season, there are other common things that can make it take longer for Oregonians to get their refunds.

 

Four common reasons refunds take longer and what to do about it.

  • Filing electronically and requesting to receive a refund via a check takes longer. Request direct deposit instead.
  • Filing more than once. Sending a duplicate paper return through the mail after e-filing will a delay a refund. Taxpayers should file just once unless they need to amend their return to make changes.
  • Refunds for taxpayers that are new to filing returns may be delayed so we can verify your identity. Taxpayers who receive a letter requesting identity verification are urged to respond promptly through Revenue Online to speed the processing of their return.
  • Refunds can also be delayed when errors are identified on returns. Taxpayers who receive a letter requesting additional information are urged to respond promptly through Revenue Online to speed the processing of their return.

The Department of Revenue recommends that taxpayers wait one week after they have electronically filed their return to use the Where’s My Refund tool.

 

Taxpayers can check the status of their federal tax refunds on the IRS website.

 

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With Less Than Five Weeks To Go Before Tax Deadline State Has Issued 720,000 Refunds - 03/12/26

Salem, OR— Heading into the final month of the 2026 tax season, the Oregon Department of Revenue has received and processed 860,000 electronically-filed Oregon personal income tax returns and has issued 720,000 refunds.

 

Most taxpayers can expect to receive their refunds within two weeks of the date their return is e-filed. Some returns, however, require additional review and can take longer. Taxpayers looking for the status of their refund can use DOR’s Where’s My Refund? tool.

 

The Where’s My Refund? tool was enhanced last year and now provides:

  • Additional detail about refund status. 
  • Added functionality to see when the agency is requesting additional information to complete processing a return. 
  • Website enhancements for improved customer experience.

To have the benefit of the enhancements, however, taxpayers need to be signed into their Revenue Online account. Taxpayers who don’t already have a Revenue Online account can create one by following the Revenue Online link on the department’s website. Taxpayers can still use the Where’s My Refund? tool without being signed into Revenue Online account, but won’t be able to see the updated features.

 

A video outlining the refund process and timelines is also available to help taxpayers understand the process.

 

Among those refunds that will take longer in 2026 are refunds from paper-filed Oregon Personal Income Tax returns. On average taxpayers who e-file and request direct deposit get their refund two weeks faster than those who file a paper return. The extra wait will be even longer this year.

In the closing months of 2025, the IRS was late providing necessary tax form information to the Department of Revenue creating a delay in the processing of paper-filed state returns. Processing of paper-filed returns is expected to start at the end of March with the first refunds for paper-filed returns expected to be issued in early April.

Oregon is returning a $1.41 billion revenue surplus “kicker” to taxpayers in 2026. The kicker credit will either increase a taxpayer's refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe.

 

Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and also file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker. The credit is a percentage of Oregon personal income tax liability for the 2024 tax year. Taxpayers can determine the amount of their kicker using a “What’s My Kicker? calculator available on Revenue Online.

 

About 60 percent of the 2.2 million Oregon personal income tax returns expected to be filed in 2026 have yet to be filed with less than five weeks to go before the April 15 deadline.

 

Besides the high volume of returns filed at the end of tax season, there are other common things that can make it take longer for Oregonians to get their refunds.

 

Four common reasons refunds take longer and what to do about it.

  • Filing electronically and requesting to receive a refund via a check takes longer. Request direct deposit instead.
  • Filing more than once. Sending a duplicate paper return through the mail after e-filing will a delay a refund. Taxpayers should file just once unless they need to amend their return to make changes.
  • Refunds for taxpayers that are new to filing returns may be delayed so we can verify your identity. Taxpayers who receive a letter requesting identity verification are urged to respond promptly through Revenue Online to speed the processing of their return.
  • Refunds can also be delayed when errors are identified on returns. Taxpayers who receive a letter requesting additional information are urged to respond promptly through Revenue Online to speed the processing of their return.

The Department of Revenue recommends that taxpayers wait one week after they have electronically filed their return to use the Where’s My Refund tool.

 

Taxpayers can check the status of their federal tax refunds on the IRS website.

 

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Direct File Oregon Offers Simplest Solution For Taxpayers Switching To E-filing In 2026 To Get Their Refund Sooner - 03/06/26

Salem, OR—Are you looking for a free option to file your taxes? Want to get your refund faster than filing a paper return? Direct File Oregon is the best of both worlds.

 

Taxpayers accustomed to filling out paper returns, can use Free Fillable Forms to file their federal return and then use Direct File Oregon to file their Oregon personal income tax return directly with the state.

 

“If you are used to filling out your taxes on a paper return, Free Fillable Forms is perfect for you. It is just like filling out a paper return, except on a computer screen,” said Megan Denison, Personal Tax and Compliance Division administrator for the Oregon Department of Revenue. “Using Direct File Oregon is as simple as answering a few questions. The result could save you weeks waiting on your refund.”

 

“You can even use a public access computer in one of the Department of Revenue regional offices across the state,” Denison added.

 

Now in its third year, Direct File Oregon is a free interview-based program similar to commercial software and allows taxpayers the convenience and security of filing directly with the state of Oregon through Revenue Online. More than 3,500 taxpayers have already used Direct File Oregon this year. That’s right on pace with last year, when 14,000 Oregon taxpayers filed directly with the state.

 

The IRS was late providing necessary tax forms and information to the Oregon Department of Revenue late last year. As a result, the state’s processing of paper-filed Oregon personal income tax returns won’t begin until the end of March. The first refunds for e-filed returns were issued in mid-February. Refunds for paper filed returns won’t start until next month.

 

Oregon is returning $1.41 billion in surplus revenue to taxpayers in 2026. Known as the “kicker,” it will either decrease the amount of state taxes you owe or increase your Oregon state income tax refund.

 

The best part is Free Fillable Forms and Direct File Oregon have no income restrictions.

 

Other free filing software options

Newly available this year is GetYourRefund.org which provides free federal and state tax preparation options:

  • File Myself: Access to self-prep software to file federal and state returns for free, with IRS-certified chat support. Income must be under $89,000.
  • File with Help: Virtual 1:1 expert tax prep provided through collaboration with local VITA programs. Suggested income under $69,000.
  • VITA Site Location Finder: Simple, mobile-friendly tool to find in-person VITA sites. Suggested income under $69,000.

Email and live chat support is available in English and Spanish.

 

Free guided tax preparation is available from three other companies that participate in the Free File Alliance for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free. These free services work much like the popular pay to file programs.

 

Each company has different requirements for who qualifies for free filing and offers must be accessed from the links on the department’s website.

  • If your AGI is $32,000 or less, you can use 1040NOW, which includes your Oregon return.
  • If your AGI is $51,000 or less (or $89,000 or less and active military), you can use OLT or FreeTaxUSA, which includes your Oregon return.
  • If your AGI is $19,000-89,000 and age 67 or younger, you can use TaxSlayer, which includes your Oregon return.

The department offers computer kiosks in its five regional offices for taxpayers who don’t have a computer or access to one. The kiosks are available during regular business hours in the DOR regional offices in Bend, 951 SW Simpson Ave, Suite 100;  Eugene, 1600 Valley River Drive, Suite 310; Gresham, 1550 NW Eastman Parkway, Suite 220; Medford, 3613 Aviation Way, Suite 102; and Portland, 800 NE Oregon St, Suite 505.

 

They can be used to file with any of the free file options or to transfer their information from a paper return to Free Fillable Forms.

 

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Direct File Oregon Offers Simplest Solution For Taxpayers Switching To E-filing In 2026 To Get Their Refund Sooner - 03/06/26

Salem, OR—Are you looking for a free option to file your taxes? Want to get your refund faster than filing a paper return? Direct File Oregon is the best of both worlds.

 

Taxpayers accustomed to filling out paper returns, can use Free Fillable Forms to file their federal return and then use Direct File Oregon to file their Oregon personal income tax return directly with the state.

 

“If you are used to filling out your taxes on a paper return, Free Fillable Forms is perfect for you. It is just like filling out a paper return, except on a computer screen,” said Megan Denison, Personal Tax and Compliance Division administrator for the Oregon Department of Revenue. “Using Direct File Oregon is as simple as answering a few questions. The result could save you weeks waiting on your refund.”

 

“You can even use a public access computer in one of the Department of Revenue regional offices across the state,” Denison added.

 

Now in its third year, Direct File Oregon is a free interview-based program similar to commercial software and allows taxpayers the convenience and security of filing directly with the state of Oregon through Revenue Online. More than 3,500 taxpayers have already used Direct File Oregon this year. That’s right on pace with last year, when 14,000 Oregon taxpayers filed directly with the state.

 

The IRS was late providing necessary tax forms and information to the Oregon Department of Revenue late last year. As a result, the state’s processing of paper-filed Oregon personal income tax returns won’t begin until the end of March. The first refunds for e-filed returns were issued in mid-February. Refunds for paper filed returns won’t start until next month.

 

Oregon is returning $1.41 billion in surplus revenue to taxpayers in 2026. Known as the “kicker,” it will either decrease the amount of state taxes you owe or increase your Oregon state income tax refund.

 

The best part is Free Fillable Forms and Direct File Oregon have no income restrictions.

 

Other free filing software options

Newly available this year is GetYourRefund.org which provides free federal and state tax preparation options:

  • File Myself: Access to self-prep software to file federal and state returns for free, with IRS-certified chat support. Income must be under $89,000.
  • File with Help: Virtual 1:1 expert tax prep provided through collaboration with local VITA programs. Suggested income under $69,000.
  • VITA Site Location Finder: Simple, mobile-friendly tool to find in-person VITA sites. Suggested income under $69,000.

Email and live chat support is available in English and Spanish.

 

Free guided tax preparation is available from three other companies that participate in the Free File Alliance for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free. These free services work much like the popular pay to file programs.

 

Each company has different requirements for who qualifies for free filing and offers must be accessed from the links on the department’s website.

  • If your AGI is $32,000 or less, you can use 1040NOW, which includes your Oregon return.
  • If your AGI is $51,000 or less (or $89,000 or less and active military), you can use OLT or FreeTaxUSA, which includes your Oregon return.
  • If your AGI is $19,000-89,000 and age 67 or younger, you can use TaxSlayer, which includes your Oregon return.

The department offers computer kiosks in its five regional offices for taxpayers who don’t have a computer or access to one. The kiosks are available during regular business hours in the DOR regional offices in Bend, 951 SW Simpson Ave, Suite 100;  Eugene, 1600 Valley River Drive, Suite 310; Gresham, 1550 NW Eastman Parkway, Suite 220; Medford, 3613 Aviation Way, Suite 102; and Portland, 800 NE Oregon St, Suite 505.

 

They can be used to file with any of the free file options or to transfer their information from a paper return to Free Fillable Forms.

 

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