WorkSource Oregon, Department Of Revenue Team Up To Provide Free Tax Help Events (Photo) - 02/13/26

For Immediate Release: Feb. 13, 2026

Media Contact:  Communications@employ.oregon.gov; Robin.Maxey@dor.oregon.gov

WorkSource Oregon, Department of Revenue team up to provide free tax help events 

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon taxpayers can get free help filing their federal and state personal income tax returns electronically at six different WorkSource Oregon locations across the state in February and March.

WorkSource Oregon and the Oregon Department of Revenue are teaming up to provide the assistance. Volunteers from Revenue will be stationed at local WorkSource Oregon centers to help guide taxpayers through the filing process using the free public-access computers and Wi-Fi internet service.

The first event is planned for Wednesday, February 18, at the WorkSource center at 120 E Lincoln, Suite 115b, in Woodburn. Other events are planned in Hillsboro, Eugene, southeast Portland, Lebanon, and Bend.

“WorkSource Oregon centers are trusted community spaces where Oregonians come to find jobs, build skills, and get connected to services,” said Andrew R. Stolfi, director of the Oregon Employment Department, which is a partner of WorkSource Oregon. “Partnering with the Department of Revenue to offer free tax filing assistance is a natural extension of our customer-service mission. We are thrilled to help Oregonians get support in filing their taxes, claiming the credits they’ve earned, and keeping more money in their pockets.”

“We know that filing your taxes can be a scary and confusing process. We are excited to partner with WorkSource Oregon to provide in person help to make it easier for Oregonians to file their taxes for free, check if they are eligible for refundable tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Oregon Kids Credit, and claim their share of the kicker,” said David Gerstenfeld, Department of Revenue director.

WorkSource Oregon is a statewide partnership with the Oregon Employment Department and state, local, and nonprofit agencies. WorkSource provides a variety of employment and training services to job seekers and employers in Oregon, helping people find jobs and businesses find talent. 

Taxpayers are encouraged to set up a Revenue Online account through the Department of Revenue’s website before coming to an event if they plan to use Direct File Oregon. They should bring tax information with them, including:
 

• Social security number or ITIN for everyone on their tax return
• Forms W-2 (wages from a job)
• Forms 1099-G, 1099-R, 1099-INT (other income) if applicable
• Form SSA-1099 (Social Security Benefits)
• Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit (can be found on their checks)
• Last year’s tax return

The full schedule includes events at the following locations.

The Oregon Employment Department (OED) provides economic stability to Oregon communities by providing vital services to both businesses and workers. OED supports businesses with finding qualified job candidates, labor market information, tax incentives and support, and retaining talent through economic downturns. OED promotes employment through wage replacement benefits during unemployment and significant life events, job placement, training, and useful career information. Learn more at employment.oregon.gov.  

OED’s Workforce Operations division is a partner in WorkSource Oregon, a consortium of state agencies and local workforce boards, and operates 37 WorkSource Oregon centers across the state. WorkSource Oregon offers a wide range of free services, including personalized career coaching, resume writing, interview practice, and job search strategies. For employers and businesses, WorkSource Oregon provides support for job postings and finding qualified candidates, hiring incentives, and access to labor-market data – all at no cost. Visit worksourceoregon.org for more information. 

To get tax forms, check the status of their refund, or make tax payments, taxpayers can visit the Department of Revenue website or email questions.dor@oregon.gov. Taxpayers can also 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), the Department of Revenue accepts all relay calls.

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WorkSource Oregon To Host Second Chance Career Fair In Southeast Portland - 02/04/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 4, 2026

Media Contact: communications@employ.oregon.gov

WorkSource Oregon to Host Second Chance Career Fair in Southeast Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. — WorkSource Oregon will host its first-ever Second Chance Career Fair on Wednesday, Feb.11, from 10 a.m. to noon at the WorkSource Oregon – Portland Metro Southeast Center in Portland. The free event will connect job seekers with local employers who are open to hiring people facing barriers to employment, including recent incarceration.

“This event is about opening doors,” Oregon Employment Department director Andrew R. Stolfi said. “We want job seekers to have direct conversations with employers who value skills, potential, and growth, and who understand that talent exists everywhere.” 

All job seekers are invited to attend and connect with employers from a range of industries, including healthcare, social services, manufacturing, staffing, and nonprofit organizations. Employers and community partners scheduled to attend include the City of Portland, Dress for Success, Gliss, Central City Concern, United Salad, Stone Soup, DPI Staffing, The Pathfinder Network, Urban League of Portland, and Oxford House. 

“We encourage attendees to bring copies of their resumes and be prepared to speak directly with employers about current job openings, career pathways, and next steps,” said Reentry Specialist Chelsea Cook, who is coordinating the job fair. “WorkSource Oregon staff will also be available to provide information about job search support and employment services.” Cook specializes in helping people who have been formerly incarcerated find jobs. 

This is the first time WorkSource Oregon has hosted a career fair focused on second chance hiring but hopes to make it an annual event in the future. 

Event details 

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 
Time: 10 a.m. to noon 
Location: WorkSource Oregon – Portland Metro Southeast Center 
6401 SE Foster Rd., Portland, OR 97206 

Email: EmployerServices@oregon.gov.

About Workforce Operations 

The Oregon Employment Department’s Workforce Operations division is a partner in WorkSource Oregon, a consortium of state agencies and local workforce boards, and operates 37 WorkSource Oregon centers across the state. WorkSource Oregon offers a wide range of free services to job seekers, employers, and businesses, including personalized career coaching, resume writing, job search strategies, support for job postings and hiring incentives, and access to labor-market data. Visit worksourceoregon.org for more information.  

WorkSource Oregon (WSO) is an equal opportunity agency. WSO provides free help so you can use our services. Some examples are sign language and spoken-language interpreters, written materials in other languages, large print, audio, and other formats. To get help, please call 503-947-1680. TTY users call 711. You can also send an email to EmployerServices@oregon.gov. 

WorkSource Oregon (WSO) es una agencia de igualdad de oportunidades. WSO proporciona ayuda gratuita para que usted pueda utilizar nuestros servicios. Algunos ejemplos son intérpretes de lengua de señas e idiomas hablados, materiales escritos en otros idiomas, letra grande, audio y otros formatos. Para obtener ayuda, por favor llame al 503-947-1680. Usuarios de TTY pueden llamar al 711. También puede enviar un correo electrónico a EmployerServices@oregon.gov. 

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2025 In Review: Job Losses And Rising Unemployment (Photo) - 02/02/26

For Immediate Release: Feb. 2, 2026

Media Contact:  Communications@employ.oregon.gov;

Gail Krumenauer, state employment economist; gail.k.krumenauer@employ.oregon.gov

2025 in Review: Job Losses and Rising Unemployment

Oregon’s labor force grows slightly despite negative turn in job growth

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon saw job growth in a handful of sectors and experienced a small increase in its labor force, but overall, the state lost jobs in 2025 as the unemployment rate rose nearly a point to 5.2%.

In reviewing the year, state employment economist Gail Krumenauer noted job gains were concentrated in private health care and social assistance, but rising jobless workers resulted in the highest unemployment rate – outside a recession or recovery period – in a decade.

Looking ahead, Oregon’s Office of Economic Analysis expects a rebound to slow job gains in 2026.

Visit QualityInfo.org for the full Year in Review article.

The Oregon Employment Department (OED) is an equal opportunity agency. OED provides free help so you can use our services. Some examples are sign language and spoken language interpreters, written materials in other languages, large print, audio, and other formats. To get help, please call 503-947-1444. TTY users call 711. You can also send an email to communications@employ.oregon.gov.

El Departamento de Empleo de Oregon (OED) es una agencia de igualdad de oportunidades. El OED proporciona ayuda gratuita para que usted pueda utilizar nuestros servicios. Algunos ejemplos son intérpretes de lengua de señas e idiomas hablados, materiales escritos en otros idiomas, letra grande, audio y otros formatos. Para obtener ayuda, por favor llame al 503-947-1444. Usuarios de TTY pueden llamar al 711. También puede enviar un correo electrónico a communications@employ.oregon.gov.

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Press Release: Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Was 5.2% In December (Photo) - 01/22/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Jan. 22, 2026

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Gail Krumenauer, State Employment Economist

(971) 301-3771

Video and Audio available at 10 a.m. PT

David Cooke, Economist (971) 375-5288

Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Was 5.2% in December

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in both November and December. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.5% in November and 4.4% in December.

In December, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment dropped by 2,200 jobs, following a gain of 800 jobs, as revised, in November. December’s gains were largest in professional and business services (+1,100 jobs) and government (+500). Losses were largest in construction (-2,500 jobs); retail trade (-900); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-900).

Professional and business services added 1,900 jobs during the last two months of 2025, recovering some of the jobs it lost during the first half of the year. Each of its three component industries rose between October and December, with administrative and waste services growing the fastest (+900 jobs, or 0.9%).

Construction cut 3,000 jobs during the last two months of 2025, following relatively strong growth during July through October. At 113,900 jobs in December, it is close to its spring level, and slightly below its three-year average of 116,900 jobs during 2022 through 2024.

Holiday hiring in retail trade was 1,200 jobs below the normal seasonal pattern during the last two months of the year. Since early 2023, retail trade has trended downward. It employed 199,200 in December, which was 11,300 jobs, or 5.4%, below three years prior.

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities cut 1,400 jobs during November and December, following growth of a similar amount during the summer. It employed 78,200 in December, which was close to its three-year average of 78,500 jobs during 2022 through 2024.

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the December county and metropolitan area unemployment and jobs data on Tuesday, Jan. 27. We are awaiting notification from the Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding publication dates for the rest of the year and will update our schedule of future releases as dates become available.

The Oregon Employment Department (OED) is an equal opportunity agency. OED provides free help so you can use our services. Some examples are sign language and spoken-language interpreters, written materials in other languages, large print, audio, and other formats. To get help, please call 503-947-1444. TTY users call 711. You can also send an email to communications@employ.oregon.gov.

El Departamento de Empleo de Oregon (OED) es una agencia de igualdad de oportunidades. El OED proporciona ayuda gratuita para que usted pueda utilizar nuestros servicios. Algunos ejemplos son intérpretes de lengua de señas e idiomas hablados, materiales escritos en otros idiomas, letra grande, audio y otros formatos. Para obtener ayuda, por favor llame al 503-947-1444. Usuarios de TTY pueden llamar al 711. También puede enviar un correo electrónico a communications@employ.oregon.gov.

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