Oregon Department of Human Services offers free tax filing assistance for youth
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Oregon Department of Human Services is providing free tax filing assistance to young people and low-income residents through its Tax Infrastructure Grant Program. The initiative funds IRS-certified community organizations, Tribal governments and educators to help workers secure potential refunds.
The program specifically addresses the needs of young people in their first jobs or those working part-time who may be owed refunds for withheld taxes. Even if a young person is claimed as a dependent on a parent or guardian's return, they must still file their own tax return to report their income. This filing does not interfere with exemptions claimed by parents or guardians.
Teachers at McKay High School in Salem trained approximately 12 students this school year to assist their peers with tax preparation. The student-led clinics used IRS-approved software to help participants prepare their own returns. The program utilized incentives, such as coffee gift cards, to encourage student participation. Marcia Latta, a teacher at McKay High School who facilitates the clinics, said one student received a $269 refund while a recent college graduates received nearly $1,200. "Most get money back. They're so pleased," Latta said. "I love that we provide this extra opportunity to our students to develop these skills and it's great to see them get this money back."
Oregon State University has also expanded its tax assistance reach through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Shelly Krehbiel, the program manager for extension and partner operations for OSU's VITA program, said the student-led team trained about 90 university students this year. These students manage site operations, marketing and training for outreach teams in Corvallis, Bend and Eugene. Krehbiel said the program also partners with the South Eugene High School Finance Club to train 10 students as facilitators. "From the people they've helped there is such surprise. They say, "Oh, that was so easy." When people walk into our locations, they look scared and anxious. They walk out smiling and relieved. It's great to see," Krehbiel said.
The current initiatives follow a 2023 ODHS pilot project that operated in nine high schools across Oregon. Students who participated in that pilot received state and federal tax refunds ranging from $95 to $1,246. The grant program continues to fund projects through both community organizations and educators to reach young people who may be earning income for the first time.
Free tax assistance is available in both English and Spanish. Individuals can access help online through GetYourRefund/OR, where they can choose to have a return prepared for them or file it themselves using free software. In-person assistance is available at sponsored sites in cities including Portland, Beaverton, Gresham, Bend, Redmond, Corvallis, Eugene, Coos Bay, Roseburg, Medford, Monmouth, Independence, Ontario and Woodburn.
In-person tax return preparation will be available at ODHS-sponsored sites through Oct. 15. More information about the program can be found on the Oregon Department of Human Services website.
