The Oregon Political Tax Credit: It's your fifty bucks - use it or lose it!
Through our tax system, the State of Oregon gives each tax-paying Oregonian a $50 gift. But you can't keep it. Instead, you must either pay it back in state taxes -- or donate it to a qualified political campaign or cause.
To put it another way: By donating $50 to a political campaign of your choice, you can reduce your taxes or increase your refund by that same $50 (assuming you pay at least $50 in taxes). That's right: it's a full 100% credit, not a deduction.
The bottom line? By contributing $50 to the Oregon Republican party, you can help restore the sanity to Oregon - and it won't cost you a dime. Married, filing jointly? It's $50 per person - so you and your spouse can donate $100 and get it all back!
One note: As of the 2014 tax year, tax credit is only available to single adults with incomes under $100,000 and joint filers with income under $200,000.
How do you claim the $50 tax credit?
You'll find it on line 37 of the Form 40, the long form.
If you filled out the short form, Form 40S, it's on line 16, "Other credits". The credit is identified by entering 723 in 16A and the amount in 16B.
There are some limitations. Here's what the state tax instructions say:
Political contribution credit. Fill in your total political contributions, but not more than $100 on a joint return or $50 on all others. You must have contributed money during [the calendar year] to any of the following:
- A political party.
- A qualified candidate (or the candidate’s principal campaign committee) for federal, state, or local office to be voted for in Oregon.
- A political action committee certified in Oregon.
So, basically any candidate or measure on the ballot in Oregon, any political party, or any political committee registered in Oregon. (But not a 501c3 nonprofit; those are deductible elsewhere.) More info from the state of Oregon.
One more thing: The Oregon Political Tax Credit is not a refundable credit. So, if your taxes are already zero, then you won't get you $50 back.
Help keep the Oregon Republican Party strong.
Contribute to the Oregon Republican Party today! You can choose what works best for you. You can make a one-time donation, or schedule a recurring, monthly contribution. We are grateful for any level of support you are willing to provide Republicans in Oregon.
To put it another way: By donating $50 to a political campaign of your choice, you can reduce your taxes or increase your refund by that same $50 (assuming you pay at least $50 in taxes). That's right: it's a full 100% credit, not a deduction.
The bottom line? By contributing $50 to the Oregon Republican party, you can help restore the sanity to Oregon - and it won't cost you a dime. Married, filing jointly? It's $50 per person - so you and your spouse can donate $100 and get it all back!
One note: As of the 2014 tax year, tax credit is only available to single adults with incomes under $100,000 and joint filers with income under $200,000.
