SALEM—In this time of economic hardship, which extends from personal savings accounts to the state coffers, Oregon is offering amnesty to taxpayers who need to file or amend a tax return to pay back taxes.

The 2009 Legislature created the one-time program to give taxpayers an incentive to get caught up, and to bring in dollars to the cash-strapped programs that taxes support.

In Oregon, personal income taxes help fund education; human services, such as child protective and senior services; public safety, such as police and jails; and environmental quality.

You can apply for amnesty through November 19. If you qualify, you have until January 19, 2010 to file your tax returns.

Under the amnesty program, you’ll only be charged half the interest on the taxes you pay. You won’t have to pay any penalties.

“Amnesty is good for tax-supported programs. It allows taxpayers who owe previously unidentified taxes to pay them without also paying large penalties,” said Marvin Rhodes who oversees the state’s personal income tax program. “But it’s a one-shot deal.”

Amnesty is available for all tax years or periods before 2008 for:

• Personal income tax.
• Lane and Tri-Met transit district self-employment taxes.
• Corporate income and excise taxes.
• Trust and estate income taxes.
• Inheritance tax.

For more information on amnesty, visit www.oregontaxamnesty.com.

Visit our website for tax information, forms and instructions, and to check the status of your refund, or call 1-800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish); 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon; or e-mail questions.dor@state.or.us. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), call 1-800-886-7204.