PENDLETON — Low-income Pendleton area taxpayers eligible to claim federal and state tax credits can get assistance filing their tax returns Thursday, April 10, in Pendleton.

The Oregon Department of Revenue is holding the event 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Blue Mountain Community College Library, Pioneer Hall 147, at 2411 NW Carden Ave. The event is free and will provide help to those using the combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon to file electronically.

According to an announcement from the state revenue department about the event, more than 15% of returns in Umatilla County for tax year 2022 claimed the federal and state earned income tax credit. The IRS estimates that, overall, 25% of Oregon taxpayers eligible don’t claim the credits.

The earned income tax credit is a federal tax credit for people for making up to $66,819 in 2024. Families may be eligible for a maximum refundable credit of $7,830 on their federal tax return, and a maximum Oregon earned income credit of $940 on their state tax return. Certain taxpayers without children also may be eligible for these credits.

The Oregon Department of Revenue believes helping taxpayers file their returns using direct file will help maximize the number of Oregonians who choose to use the new free option and make it possible for many who don’t have a filing requirement to file and claim significant federal and state tax credits for low-income families.

Some taxpayers eligible for the federal and state earned income tax credit also may be able to claim the Oregon Kids Credit, which could total as much as $5,000.

The IRS estimates that 3,500 people in Pendleton are eligible to use IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon in addition to 10,000 others in Umatilla County. Filing with IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon is free and available as a combination for filing both federal and state taxes for the first time this year.

Before arriving at the library, taxpayers should:

Go to directfile.irs.gov to see if they qualify to use IRS Direct File.
Set up an IRS online account through ID.me.
Make sure they have a Revenue Online account before they come to the event to make sure they’re ready to go.

Videos are available to show how to use IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon, and taxpayers can find more information on the department’s Free Direct File assistance at local libraries webpage.

Taxpayers should bring the following information with them to the library.

Identification documents

• Social Security card or ITIN for everyone on your tax return.
  Government picture ID for taxpayer and spouse if filing jointly (such as driver’s license or passport).

Common income and tax documents

• Forms W2 (wages from a job).
  Forms 1099 (other kinds of income).
  Forms SSA-1099 (Social security benefits).

Optional documents

• Canceled check or bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit.
  Last year’s tax return.

IRS Direct File does not support all return types. Specifically, taxpayers with dividends reported on Form 1099-DIV and capital gains or losses are not eligible to use IRS Direct File.

Taxpayers who aren’t eligible to use IRS Direct File can find other free options and free assistance at shorturl.at/p7qBu sites on the agency’s website.  Those who can’t use IRS Direct File to file their federal return can still use Direct File Oregon to file their state return.