For those in Oregon dreading tax season, there's a silver lining waiting at your local library—free tax filing assistance. The Oregon Department of Revenue will set up shops in libraries across the state in February, March, and April, helping folks navigate the maze of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon without charging a penny.
Volunteers ready to tackle tax quandaries will be at Crook County Library on February 4 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. They'll be heading to Pendleton Public Library on February 5 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., followed by a session at The Dalles Wasco County Library on February 6 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. This initiative is a broad effort to make tax filing less daunting and more accessible.
Big numbers could be in for a break this year—IRS estimates suggest 640,000 Oregon tax filers could file their federal and state returns gratis using the combined services of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon in 2025. These cost-free clinics are part of the department's drive to ensure more Oregonians can claim meaningful state and federal tax credits—often left unclaimed by many. "For example, the IRS estimates that one in five Oregon taxpayers eligible to claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit are not doing so," the Oregon Department of Revenue noted on its website.
Before you go to one of these events, do a little homework: the IRS eligibility checker is the key to see if you're good to go with Direct File. You'll need to set up an online account with the IRS and Oregon's Revenue Online, but don't forget to bring your ID, social security card, or ITIN. If you're filing jointly, your spouse's ID would also be essential alongside any pertinent income and tax documents like W2s, 1099s, and SSA-1099 forms—make sure you've got those sorted. Taxpayers attending an event should bring the following information: insist on the department's guidance, pointing out the practicality of having a canceled check or your bank's routing and account numbers handy should you prefer direct deposit.
