Are Oregon tax laws understandable?
The Oregon Department of Revenue has launched a
taxpayer advocate page. Codi Trudell, appointed as Taxpayer Advocate, heads up the new Taxpayer Advocate Office authorized by HB 3373, passed during the 2021 session. Representative Julie Fahey (D-Eugene) sponsored HB 3373 creating the taxpayer advocate office intended to identify issues or barriers to equitable and fair tax collection, work with community partners, provide expediated service to taxpayers whose problems are not resolved through typical channels, research complaints, identify systemic issues, and promote taxpayer issues and concerns.
In the course of assisting taxpayers, the Taxpayer Advocate is given authority to issue orders related to taxpayers experiencing significant hardship due to Oregon's IRS action. Orders issued by the Taxpayer Advocate may require the department to cease action or refrain from additional action based upon a finding of significant hardship by the Advocate. The measure authorizes the director or deputy director to review or rescind an order by the Taxpayer Advocate. Orders issued may require the IRS to cease action or refrain from additional action based on the Advocate's determination of significant hardship.
The Oregon IRS has always provided a Taxpayer Advocate Service to taxpayers as an independent organization within the IRS. It serves as the taxpayer's voice within the IRS. The service helps taxpayers with problems that may not have been resolved through normal IRS channels or in cases where the taxpayer believes the IRS procedure is not working as designed. The new Taxpayer Advocate establishes a similar office for taxpayer resources within Oregon.
HB 3373 appropriated $371,593 General Fund and $200,089 other funds from administrative charges on the tax programs the Department administers. This adds $571,593 for three positions to the bi-annual budget.
Advocates for low-income claim they are afraid of the IRS and don't file tax returns to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit. Over 900,000 Oregonians benefit from the EITC every year with an average of $3,000 new income for them. An increase in EITC filings will increase the burden on taxpayers, known as "re-distribution of wealth."
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
The Oregon Taxpayer Advocate office will serve as an independent and confidential resource for Oregon taxpayers. An important part of good government is making sure that laws are as simple, logical and as easy to follow as possible. Has Oregon government done its level best to make sure our laws are workable and understandable?
The Taxpayer Advocate webpage includes contact information.
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--Ritch Hanneman
| Post Date: 2022-10-30 12:21:45 | Last Update: 2022-10-30 13:07:21 |
