State and federal tax returns are due April 15 and Multnomah County wants to assure that all residents receive the tax credits for which they are eligible.
In 2008 46,673 families and individuals in Multnomah County received over $77.5 million in earned income tax credits. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimates that 20 to 25 percent of eligible taxpayers do not take advantage of the credit each year, reverting millions of dollars to the federal treasury that could have been circulated in local economies.
Use the resources outlined below to take advantage of all the credits and resources available to taxpayers in Multnomah County.
Tax Assistance Sites
Representatives from CASH Oregon will be providing free assistance with tax returns at local community centers in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties. In partnership with the AARP Tax Aide, CASH Oregon sends tax preparers certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to local community centers, schools and libraries in the tri-county area to help residents file tax returns for free.
In 2010, CASH Oregon found $19 million dollars in federal tax refunds for 15,600 taxpayers in the tri-county area. The average federal refund for taxpayers who prepared their taxes with CASH Oregon was $1,202.
The tax preparers are committed to ensuring that each taxpayer receives all of the refund dollars that they are entitled too, whether they owe taxes or not. CASH Oregon promotes valuable tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, an anti-poverty tool outlined below. To find tax assistance near you, see CASH Oregon’s list of tax sites or visit AARP’s tax-aide locator page.
Multnomah Mobile
CASH Oregon also offers a mobile unit that will send IRS-certified tax preparers to your office or work site to help your employees file taxes free of charge, at their place of work. For appointments, contact Maggie Starr, Mobile Unit Coordinator, via email at mobileunitcoordinator@gmail.com.
Earned Income Tax Credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is an effective method for raising the household income of families and individuals without high incomes. Taxpayers can qualify to receive the EITC even if they owe no taxes. For many low-income families, the credit can make the difference between living above or below the poverty line.
Depending on household income, families with one qualifying child can receive up to $3,050 with the federal EITC. Families with two qualifying children can receive up to $5,036 and families with three or more can receive up to $5,666. Individuals without children can receive up to $457 from the EITC, depending on income.
Multnomah County Library
During tax season, some library locations offer space for the AARP tax assistance program which helps low income and older persons with filing their forms. See the Library's Event Finder for dates.
All Multnomah County Library locations have access to downloadable and/or reproducible state and federal tax forms. Library staff are happy to help you locate and print tax forms. Printing costs 10 cents per page; two-sided printing is available. For complete information about forms and assistance available at Multnomah County Libraries, visit their Tax forms page.