Political Contributions
Oregon law allows a tax credit for political contributions.

To qualify for the credit, you must have contributed money in the year the credit is claimed. The amount of the contribution must be reduced by the fair market value of any gift or property you received. Examples include T-shirts, raffle tickets, books, dinners, or admission tickets to events. Goods or services contributed do not qualify for the credit.

Keep receipts from the candidate or organization with your tax records. Copies of canceled checks may also be used.

Candidates and their principal campaign committees
You may claim a credit for a contribution to a candidate for federal, state, or local elective office, or to the candidate's principal campaign committee (PCC). One or more of the following must occur in Oregon during the same calendar year that your contribution is made in order to qualify for the credit:

     The candidate's name must have been listed on a primary, general, or special election ballot; 
     A prospective petition of nomination must have been filed by or for the candidate; 
     A declaration of candidacy must have been filed by or for the candidate; 
     A certificate of nomination must have been filed by or for the candidate; 
     A designation of a principal campaign committee must have been filed with the Secretary of State's office. Note:
     The designation must be made in each year a contribution is made to qualify under this provision.

In addition, candidates for the office of state senator or state representative or for statewide offices must file a declaration of limitation on expenditures with the Secretary of State for each election at which he or she is a candidate. The declaration states that the candidate will not make expenditures in excess of limits set by Oregon law. Statewide offices include:

     Governor 
     Secretary of State 
     State Treasurer 
     Attorney General 
     Superintendent of Public Instruction 
     Commissioner of Bureau of Labor and Industries 

Contributions made to a candidate meeting the above requirements may be used to help clear up a campaign deficit from another year.

Political committees
You may claim a credit for a contribution to a political committee (PAC) formed solely to support or oppose ballot
measures or questions to be voted on in Oregon. The PAC must have its political treasurer certified to the proper filing officer. This may be the Secretary of State for statewide or regional elections, county clerk for county elections, or the city recorder for city elections.

Political parties
You may claim a credit for a contribution to national, state, or local political committees of major political parties.

Oregon also allows a tax credit for contributions to minor political parties or their political committees that qualify under state law.

The Oregon Secretary of State's office can tell you if a party qualifies. Call (503) 986-1518.

Newsletter fund
Oregon doesn't allow a credit for money contributed to a newsletter fund.

How to figure the credit
Your state tax credit is your contribution, limited to $100 on a joint return or $50 on a single or separate return. The credit can't exceed your Oregon tax liability. There is no carryover provision.

Partners may claim a credit for their distributive share of political contributions made by the partnership. The contribution must meet the statutory requirements. The $50 and $100 limits apply individually to each partner's return.

Questions?
Call:
Salem (503) 378-4988
Toll-free within Oregon 1-800-356-4222
The toll-free number is only available January through April.