All About Taxes
+ Tax Extensions
Filing an extension grants you 6 months to file your taxes, it does NOT give you extra time to pay your tax due. Filing and paying taxes are separate acts and penalties are assessed separately after you file. For more info about IRS penalties click HERE. We recommend that you send a payment in with your extension if you anticipate having a tax due.
*Other taxes to consider when filing an extension: Oregon Income Taxes, City Taxes and Trimet Tax.
+ Electronic Tax Payments and Payment Plans
- This is for your regular Annual Federal and State Income Tax Payments, as well as Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments, and making payments to Installment Plans. We have included the link to set up an Installment Plan with the IRS.
How do I make a payment to the IRS online?
Click HERE OR you can use the IRS2GO App to make payments.
Making a Payment to the Oregon Dept of Revenue online
How do I request a Payment Plan from the IRS?
How do I request a Payment Plan from Oregon Dept of Revenue?
+ Where's my Refund?
Check status of your Federal refund by clicking HERE OR you can use the IRS2GO App to make payments.
Check status of your Oregon refund
+ IRS Transcripts
If you are missing past year’s tax documents, you can request a “wage and income” transcript from the IRS. You can also request a copy of prior year tax returns.
Get a Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS
+ Signing your Tax Return Electronically
How do I sign my tax return electronically (this includes Form 8879 for E-filing)?
+ Communicating with Tax Departments
(This includes the IRS, Oregon, City of Portland and Trimet, etc.)
What if you get a letter from the IRS or other tax bureau?
Don't panic! Most of these issues can be resolved quickly and painlessly. The first step is to provide your preparer with a copy of the letter you received, as soon as you receive it. Once we can assess the situation we will let you know the proper steps to take.
What if you get a phone call or email from the IRS or other tax bureau?
Generally the IRS and other Income tax bureaus will NOT make initial contact via email or phone. In almost all cases these emails and phone calls are fishing schemes! Sometimes a tax bureau will follow up with you via email or phone with specifics of your case, but only after you have made initial contact with them. The City of Portland, however, does tend to call but you can get them to send you the information in writing for safety.
+ Free Tax Filing Software and Services
Starting a Business in Oregon, Tools for Recordkeeping, Self Employment 101 Video and a downloadable Spreadsheet for tracking Income + Expenses
+ Starting a Business in Oregon
- Choose a business structure (consult with your tax preparer and/or lawyer before doing this).
*If you are a Sole Proprietor then you can skip to #4.
Go to the Oregon Secretary of State
website to set up an account and register your business online. This for the DBA or LLC, specifically.
*Before registering please check business name availability in Oregon. Save records of all registrations!
*If you are concerned about your personal information being public record, consider using a Registered Agent when registering your business.
- Go to the IRS website to get a free EIN (optional for Sole Props/DBAs). Save records of EIN registration!
- Once you receive the acceptance email from the Secretary of State and your EIN you can take this information to your bank and set up a business bank account.
(If you are a Sole Proprietor then you should be able to use your Legal Name and SSN to set up a separate checking account for your business transactions.)
- All businesses (Sole Proprietor, DBA, LLC) should register with the City of Portland too.
+ Helpful Tools and Videos
* Oregon Start-A-Business Guide
* “Self Employment 101: Empowerment thru Education” taught for Multnomah County Library in October 2021
+Tools for Recordkeeping
* Spreadsheet for organizing your business income and expenses.
Mile IQ App for tracking business miles.
Scannable App for scanning documents through your phone.
Referrals
+Shift's Fave Websites, Podcasts, and Insta
Tax advisor to the self employed. Check out her website for tips and tricks.
CPA for Creatives. Kelli has an amazingly informative and accessible blog on her site as well.
Intuitive Financial Coaching, taxes, education for financial healing, business alchemy.
Inclusive, no-judgment place to talk about money for people of all income. Lillian offers a podcast and finance tools.
Real talk on personal finance, relating to money & progressive economics.
Helping creative people understand their taxes. Great Instagram account too.
Helps people feel less weird about money. They publish a weekly newsletter, write articles, give talks , and provide bookkeeping services for production companies, creative agencies and more!
Every week, Andi Smiles, small business financial consultant and recovering financial hot mess, answers real questions from real business owners about their money.
A bookkeeping and small-business consultant with an APP called the SimplePNL and online course teaching you the easy-to-use app for tracking business income and expenses directly from your bank account.
+Sliding Scale for Personal and Business Assistance
Low Income Taxpayer Clinic - nationwide program offered thru the IRS for Free Legal Services
Lewis and Clark Legal Clinic - Free and/or Sliding Scale Legal Services
Taxpayer Advocate Services - Free and/or Sliding Scale Legal Services - Nationwide program offered thru the IRS for Free Tax Advocacy
Oregon IDA Grants -Individual Development Grants for small businesses and individuals (tax-free)
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Livelihood NW - Low cost and free business development services, including consulting and bookkeeping
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Inclusive Business Resource Network - citywide program that brings multiple services for small business into a single network to provide greater efficiencies and cross-functional innovation
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Asset to the Resistance - Grassroots organization of Radical Money People (aka RMPs) in Oregon who challenge the capitalist system through education about money. AR offers donation-based community events to answer questions about personal and business finance.
