The politicians lamented that Oregon over-collected $1.6 billion in surplus taxes in the last budget cycle and that they had to return the over-collected funds back to taxpayers who overpaid through Kicker Tax Refund credits back to taxpayers.
The politicians said they desperately needed that Kicker money to balance the budget!
They lied.
Our office sent out a postcard reminding Oregonians not to forget to collect their Oregon Kicker Income Tax Refund ($739 average). We were surprised at the response of many people who had indeed forgotten.
During this economic shutdown it is more important than ever to claim your Constitutionally protected Kicker Income Tax Refund.
– The State of Oregon has over-collected $700 million in surplus tax revenue due to an unexpected surge in personal income and businesses tax revenue. Voters put into the Constitution the Kicker law that requires all over-collected taxes (above 2%) be returned back to the taxpayers. The average Oregon taxpayer is expected to see a $336.00 refund in 2020.
You may have heard the news this month that the state over-collected $118 million in unexpected revenue. That grows the forecast in over-collected revenue from $1.5 billion to over $1.6 billion. Thanks to voters putting the Kicker Refund in the State Constitution this will be coming back to taxpayers who paid it — which averages $330 per taxpayer in 2020.
1. The average Kicker Tax Refund just jumped to $729 due to a booming economy.
2. This is vindication that the national 2017 tax cuts has given us one of the best economies on record and it is showering Oregon with prosperity.
3. That tax cut gave Oregonians $840 more money in their pocket — and now it has benefited the Oregon economy so much that the same Oregonian will be getting a $729 Kicker Tax Refund.
4. Oregon is not alone, 41 states have hit record revenue according to PEW research.
Anytime I have food in my hands, I get the undivided attention of my two scottie dogs. They’re my best friends for the moment.
Those in government sometimes behave like dogs: make a mess on the living room rug, chew up your favorite shoes and then when you call them on it, they tilt their heads to one side like “don’t know what you’re talking about”.
Oregon politicians passed HB 2975 which steals $108 million out of people’s Kicker Income Tax Refund by using a budget gimmick. It is liek pick-pocketing taxpayers and hoping they do not notice. The politicians would take more but the Kicker law is in the Constitution. HB 2975 now heads to the Governor.
The Kicker is kicking because tax revenue (Income tax, business taxes, lottery) has been booming beyond forecast. This excess over-collected revenue should 100% be returned to taxpayers by law. Instead the politicians are taking this one-time cash grab and spending it on permanent budget expenses, which means taxes will be raised in the following budget year in order to maintain the spending levels they just inflated.
Political shell game will short Oregon taxpayers
All House Republicans today voted against HB 2975’s so-called budget program rebalancing bill. HB 2975, which passed over bipartisan opposition, is a direct attack on the constitutionally protected kicker, returning dollars to Oregon taxpayers.