The Oregon Department of Revenue is offering taxpayers a list of suggestions to aid in efficiently processing their return and common errors to avoid that could slow things down and delay their refund.
In 2025, an estimated 640,000 Oregon resident taxpayers preparing their own tax returns will be able to electronically file both their federal and state income tax returns using the combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon. And it’s FREE. — Find out more at https://ow.ly/oMAw50TNQfK
File electronically, request direct deposit — On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund two weeks sooner than those who file paper returns and request paper refund checks.
E-filed returns will be processed in the order they are received. However, as in years past, the department won’t be issuing personal income tax refunds until after February 15. A refund hold is part of the department’s tax fraud prevention efforts and allows for confirmation that the amounts claimed on tax returns match what employers and payers report on Forms W-2 and 1099.
Sending a duplicate paper return through the mail after e-filing will a delay a refund. Taxpayers should file just once unless they need to make a change to their return.
Gather all tax records before filing — Having all necessary records is essential to filing a complete and accurate tax return and avoiding errors. Taxpayers should wait to file until they have all their tax records, including Form W-2s from their employers and Form 1099s reporting other income.
Getting in a hurry can cause taxpayers to file before they have all the information necessary to report all of their income. If income reported on a return doesn’t match the income reported by employers, the return, and any corresponding refund, will be delayed.
If taxpayers receive more or corrected tax records after filing a return, they should file an amended return to report any changes.
Revenue Online — Before beginning the filing process, taxpayers should make sure their information is current in Revenue Online, the state’s internet tax portal. They should check their username, password, and address; and verify any estimated tax payments they’ve made. Those who don’t have a Revenue Online account can sign up on the agency’s website.
Revenue Online is the best way to communicate with the department. Refunds for taxpayers that are new to filing returns may be delayed so the department can verify their identity. Taxpayers who receive a letter requesting identity verification are urged to respond promptly through Revenue Online to speed the processing of their return.
Refunds can also be delayed when errors are identified on returns. Taxpayers who receive a letter requesting additional information are urged to respond promptly through Revenue Online to speed the processing of their return.
Download Form 1099-G — The department reminds taxpayers that it no longer mails taxpayers Form 1099-G, which reports the amount of refunds, credits, or other offsets of personal income, statewide transit individual tax, TriMet transit self-employment tax, or Lane transit self-employment tax during the previous year.
Only those who itemized deductions on their tax year 2023 federal income tax return will need a Form 1099-G to file their tax year 2024 return. Those taxpayers can view and download their Form 1099-G through Revenue Online.
Taxpayers who received unemployment insurance or Paid Leave Oregon benefits in 2024, will receive a separate 1099-G by January 31 from the Oregon Employment Department.
Free filing options — Free electronic filing through the combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon is available this year. Taxpayers are encouraged to use the IRS Eligibility Checker to see if they qualify to file directly with the IRS and the state. An instructional video on how to use the direct file option is now available on the Department of Revenue You Tube page.
In addition to IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon, other free filing options will also open today. Free guided tax preparation is available from several companies for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Free fillable forms are available for all income levels. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free.
Free and low-cost tax help — Free tax preparation services are available for low- to moderate-income taxpayers through AARP and CASH Oregon. United Way also offers free tax help through their MyFreeTaxes program. Visit the Department of Revenue website to take advantage of the software and free offers and get more information about free tax preparation services.
Taxpayers can sign up for the new “Oregon Tax Tips” direct email newsletter to keep up with information about tax return filing and how to claim helpful tax credits. Oregon Dept. of Revenue
Department of Revenue issues first income tax refunds in 2025
The Oregon Department of Revenue has begun distributing refunds for the 2024 tax year. Through February 17, the department has processed more than 400,000 tax returns. The first refunds of the year were issued lastTuesday.
Each year the department employs a refund hold period as part of the agency’s fraud prevention efforts. The hold period has been completed and most taxpayers can expect to receive their refunds within two weeks of the date their return is filed. Some returns, however, require additional review and can take up to 20 weeks before a refund is issued.
Taxpayers can check the status of their refund by using the department’s Where’s My Refund? tool. The Department of Revenue recommends that taxpayers wait one week after they have electronically filed their return to use the Where’s My Refund tool.
The Where’s My Refund? tool has been updated for 2025, providing more information about the status of their return to taxpayers who are signed into their Revenue Online account. Taxpayers who don’t already have a Revenue Online account can create one by following the Revenue Online link on the department’s website. Taxpayers who don’t have a Revenue Online account can still use the Where’s My Refund? tool but won’t be able to see the updated features.
A video outlining the refund process and timelines is also available to help taxpayers understand the process.
The department also offered a list of do’s and don’ts for filing to help with efficient processing and avoid unnecessary delays.
Do file electronically and request direct deposit. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund two weeks sooner than those who file paper returns and request paper refund checks.
Don’t send a duplicate paper return. Taxpayers should file just once unless they need to make a change to their return. Sending a duplicate return will slow processing and delay your refund.
Do make sure you have all tax records before filing. Having all necessary records is essential to filing a complete and accurate tax return and avoiding errors.
Don’t get in a hurry and fail to report all your income. If income reported on a return doesn’t match the income reported by employers, the return, and any corresponding refund, will be delayed. If taxpayers receive more or corrected tax records after filing a return, they should file an amended return to report any changes.
Do make sure you have a Revenue Online account. Before beginning the filing process, taxpayers should make sure their information is current in Revenue Online, the state’s internet tax portal. Those who don’t have a Revenue Online account can sign up on the agency’s website.
To get tax forms, check the status of their refund, or make payments, visit our website or email questions.dor@dor.oregon.gov.
You can also call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), we accept all relay calls.