Residents of Portland, Metro's boundary, and Multnomah County, take note — the deadline to file and pay your 2024 personal income taxes is creeping up on April 15. The trio of government entities came together to issue this reminder, highlighting that it's not just your usual tax duty calling, but also the financial obligations tied to several local programs that are funded by taxpayer dollars. Among these are the Metro's Supportive Housing Services (SHS) program and Multnomah County's Preschool for All (PFA) initiative, in addition to the City of Portland's Arts Tax.
It was back in 2020 when residents gave the thumbs up to these income tax measures, which were aimed at providing a bevy of social services, including support for homeless services and tuition-free preschool education. The taxes kicked off in the 2021 tax year and target individuals with taxable income breaking the $125,000 mark for singles or over $200,000 for those filing jointly. It's worth noting, for example, a Multnomah County resident with a taxable income sitting at $126,000 might owe a combined tidy sum of $25 a year for these two specific taxes, depending on their tax situation, as pointed out by a statement from the City of Portland.
Getting your taxes sorted can be done via mail, or through the City of Portland Revenue Division's online portal. Taxpayers have options aplenty with income tax software to boot, including the likes of TaxAct and TurboTax. Additional information about filing and payment options is available on the official City of Portland Revenue Division website.
Beyond a mere tax obligation, the collection of funds under the SHS program has seen substantial results, with revenues contributing to housing nearly 7,000 households and preventing upwards of 15,000 evictions. The Preschool for All program has proven equally vital, building a network of free preschool education, with the goal of universality by the year 2030. Teachers and assistants within this framework are also set to see tangible benefits, with minimum wages set to outpace the state's median for child care workers, Multnomah County's website discloses.
Of particular note, for those with a tax bill expected to surpass $1,000, the requirement is to make quarterly estimated payments. The initial installment for the 2025 tax year is also due on April 15, aligning with the annual tax deadline. The approach, akin to other State and Federal tax programs, is in place to mitigate the sting of large end-of-year bills or penalties for underpayment. Details about this process can also be found on the City of Portland's Revenue Division's portal, ensuring that taxpayers can stay penalty-free and informed.
For those with additional questions, there's customer service on standby. To reach out to the City of Portland Revenue Division, taxpayers can dial 503-865-4748. Email communications can be directed to [email protected] for queries about the Supportive Housing Services income tax and to [email protected] for questions regarding the Preschool for All income tax. More resources and detailed information are accessible, once again, on the official City of Portland Revenue Division website.
