Tax filing season is officially underway. Both the Oregon Department of Revenue and the IRS have started accepting personal income tax returns.
Both the state and federal agencies urge taxpayers to file their returns electronically. Depending on your age and income, several companies offer free online filing. The Oregon Department of Revenue and the IRS website offer links to free-file options, as well as to organizations that offer free tax preparation assistance.
Filing online is also the fastest way to get a refund. But even if you submit your returns immediately, you won’t get a refund until February 15 at the earliest. That’s due to a policy meant to cut down on fraudulent refunds.
The deadline to file your state and local taxes this year, or to request an extension, is April 18.
