In November, Oregon voters will vote on Initiative 3, which would allow taxpayers full deduction of federal income taxes on Oregon state income taxA tax is a mandatory payment or charge collected by local, state, and national governments from individuals or businesses to cover the costs of general government services, goods, and activities. returns. Currently, the deduction is limited to about $5,500. Petitioners gathered some 82,000 signatures to qualify the initiative for the ballot.
Before 1974, Oregon taxpayers could fully deduct federal income taxes on their state taxes, but that year a $3,000 limit was instituted (which would be about $13,000 in 2008 dollars). In 1980, the amount was increased to $7,000 ($18,000 in 2008 dollars), but reduced to $3,000 in 1987, and increased to $5,000 in 2000 with annual inflationInflation is when the general price of goods and services increases across the economy, reducing the purchasing power of a currency and the value of certain assets. The same paycheck covers less goods, services, and bills. It is sometimes referred to as a “hidden tax,” as it leaves taxpayers less well-off due to higher costs and “bracket creep,” while increasing the government’s spending power. adjustments. Also in 2000, voters rejected a measure 45% to 55% that also would have made federal income taxes fully deductible. (See today’s Daily Tax Report article by Tom Alkire for this history.)
The Legislative Revenue Office says that the measure would reduce state general fund revenue by 13 percent, or about $550 million. Read the text of the initiative here (PDF).
More on Oregon here. Past Oregon blog posts:
- Helping Two-Legs Good, Helping Four-Legs Bad, by Joseph Henchman, January 7, 2008
- A Merrier Christmas in Oregon, by Joseph Henchman, December 25, 2007
- News Roundup: Search Federal Spending, AMT Vote, Tax Swaps, Beer Tax, by Joseph Henchman, December 14, 2007
- Oregon Corporate Tax Disclosure Headed to Ballot?, by Chris Atkins, May 31, 2006