Welcome to the ORED Tax Credit website!




"I am a mother of six living in rural Oregon. Three of my children struggle with writing and their spelling is extremely low. I have hired a tutor--bringing her from out of town at a price we can no longer afford. One boy came up over 40 percentile points because I hired a tutor to teach according to the way he learns. The other two had huge improvements also. The tax credit would help tremendously to provide what the system won't and can't." —Douglas County Parent "My wife and I both work two jobs each, and still struggle to make ends meet. Our boys' education is our highest priority, and so we send them to private school. We will need some kind of tax relief if we are to remain in Oregon." —Multnomah County Parent "I'm paying for two kids to attend private school, plus all of the regular taxes for public schools. A tax credit would help me pay my kids tuition." —Washington County Parent "I am excited about the ways this proposal would help low income and single parent families." —Deschutes County Parent "The greatest educational opportunity for children can be achieved only by giving parents 'choice' in education. Some would choose government schools, some private schools or a combination of both including teaching at home...At present a limited few have 'choice' as education dollars are locked in one place, government schools. Current policy discriminates against those families who cannot afford to go elsewhere, even home." —Washington County Resident What is a Tax Credit? A tax credit is not a deduction (which reduces your taxable gross income). A state tax credit is taken directly out of the income taxes you owe the State of Oregon. FOR EXAMPLE: If your state income tax is $3,000 and you qualify for a tax credit of $1,000, you owe the State of Oregon only $2,000. What are the Rose Friedman Educational Opportunity Tax Credits? This legislation would create two tax credits: 1) The Oregon Family Education Tax Credit: A personal tax credit of $1,000 (per child) for any educational expenses including tuition, school supplies, tutoring, etc. 2) The Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit. A tax credit for donations made to a tuition scholarship organization that gives scholarships to low-income students, or students with disabilities. Opportunity Scholarship Limits: Up to $1,000 per Oregon taxpayer ($2,000 for married couples filing jointly). Up to $10,000 for Oregon Businesses (The first $2,000 would be 100% deductible with the rest 75% deductible). Who qualifies for this tax credit? Any taxpayer with a child from K-12 may qualify for the Oregon Family Education Tax Credit. Any Oregon taxpayer or business that pays taxes would qualify for the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit. Who qualifies for the scholarships? Tax Credit donations would be collected by state-approved scholarship granting organizations who would be required to give all their scholarships to low-income students and/or students with special needs. The special needs scholarship would be income limited. How do I support this effort? Join our grassroots campaign by signing up here. We'll need thousands of supporters like you to get this passed during the 2009 Oregon Legislative Session. Your information will not be shared with anyone outside this effort. We'll keep you regularly updated on our progress and let you know how you can help get this legislation passed. Add your name to the supporters list and help us grow in strength. JOIN THE COALITION TODAY! This legislation would: Help every family in Oregon that is spending money to educate our future citizens. Ensure that our most vulnerable children in Oregon get the high-quality education they deserve. Generate millions of NEW dollars for the education of Oregon's children from Oregon corporations.