Don't Forget to Use Your Political Tax Credit

Evan Manvel

If you - like most regular BlueOregon readers - have already given your tax credit, remind your friends! Pick a PAC to promote and send this on.

It's that end of year time when we're scurrying around getting things done.

One of the quickest, easiest things you can do is make sure you use your Oregon Political Tax Credit! Boy do I sound like a furniture salesman on cable TV!

Oregon is a wonderful place for many reasons, one of which is our unique political tax credit. I think of it as our form of public campaign financing, a small investment in engaging people in democracy.

Here's the Deal: $50/$100 is Yours to Direct

Oregon allows you to subtract donations to political groups or campaigns from your state taxes - up to $50 for individuals, or $100 for couples filing jointly. If you owe taxes, you can subtract your contribution from what you owe. If the state owes you a refund, they will add it to your refund check.

This is a tax credit, not a deduction, so every dollar comes back to you! (Presuming you pay at least $50/$100 in state taxes.)

You can't use this credit for charities. It can only be used when you contribute to a political group like Bike Walk Vote PAC, OLCV PAC, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, Basic Rights Oregon Equality PAC, Future PAC, NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon PAC, Senate Democratic Leadership Fund, BusPAC, etc. -- or candidate campaigns in Oregon, including all those mayoral candidates, legislative candidates, soil and water conservation district candidates, etc.

And if you - like most regular BlueOregon readers - have already given your tax credit, remind your friends! Pick a PAC to promote and send this on. I vaguely remember fewer than 3% of Oregonians use this tax credit. You might be shocked at how many people haven't heard about it but would love to use it.

Happy holidays. And feel free to mention your own favorite PAC in the comments.

Disclaimer: feel free to talk to your tax advisor if you have one. This message isn't financial advice and all that. Read more at Oregon Tax Credit.com, a site Kari Chisholm created including where to claim your $50/$100 on the Oregon short form or long form.

You don't have to file long confusing tax forms to get this credit! It's super easy! And can I interest you in this lovely loveseat? it's half off for today only!

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    Disclaimer two: I'm the co-chair at Bike Walk Vote PAC.

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    And if you have used up your tax credit remember that contributions to nonprofits who are 501(c)(3) organizations are tax deductible for itemizers...see http://bit.ly/vmygw1

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