The Oregon Department of Revenue will start to process 2023 state income tax returns that are electronically filed on Jan. 29.

The date coincides with when the IRS starts to process federal returns. Electronically filed returns are processed in the order they are received. Personal income tax refunds will not be issued until after Feb. 15, the Oregon Department of Revenue said in a press release.

The state’s processing work includes putting a hold on refunds for the department’s tax fraud prevention efforts and to confirm information on tax returns is accurate.

This year the state is set to pay out a record-breaking $5.6 billion through the “kicker” rebate, which kicks in when revenues collected exceed official projections. The median Oregon taxpayer will receive about $1,000 back on their taxes, and higher income Oregonians who pay more in taxes will receive more back.

The department said taxpayers will get their returns the quickest if they file electronically. Taxpayers who do so and request a refund with a direct deposit will get their refund two weeks sooner on average than people who file with paper returns and ask for a check.

The department reminds taxpayers to take a few easy steps in the next few weeks before filing their returns. Robin Maxey, a spokesperson for the department, said it’s important for people to make sure they have all their necessary documents when they file.

“If you make a mistake, it slows things down and it may take you even longer to get your refund,” Maxey said.

The department estimates about 2.2 million personal income tax returns will be filed, Maxey said.

More information

For free tax forms and information about filing, go here.

For information about filing federal tax returns, go here.

There also are options for low and moderate-income Oregonians looking for free tax preparation services.

To check the status of your refund after Feb. 15 or make payments, visit the Oregon Department of Revenue’s website.

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.

This story was originally published by the Oregon Capital Chronicle.

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