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 Shyanne, age 5, from McMinnville would benefit from the tax credit. "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 Samantha, age 9, from Banks would benefit from the tax credit. "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 "Our family struggles greatly to keep our children in private education. We both work and still must divert funds away of some of the most basic needs just so we can obtain a decent education for our children. This proposal establishes some level of fairness, and encourages real choice in education." —Marion County Parent Anthony would benefit from the tax credit. "Our son has had anxiety and panic disorders for two years now, and when he was in 6th Grade he only had two teachers. But when he went in to the 7th Grade he had seven teachers. That was too many to deal with and he shut down. So after Thanksgiving, we decided to put him in private school, and his psychologist agreed. He only has one teacher and 13 kids in his class. He is on the honor roll and going in the 8th Grade now, and he is overcoming his anxieties and fears, and looks forward to school now." —Umatilla County Parent "The tax credit would bring some financial relief to my husband and I for homeschooling necessities and it would allow us to provide educational field trips for our child." —Josephine County Parent "My two sons, ages nine and six, would greatly benefit from this tax credit and my husband's business would love to donate money each year as well!" —Clackamas County Parent "As a new U.S. citizen, I am grateful for the liberties I enjoy in this country and, in particular, the educational liberty I enjoy in this state. However, given the near monopoly of the public school system, those who choose an educational alternative still bear an inequitable burden. The ORED proposal is a small step towards expanding choice in education and providing true equality of opportunity." —Portland Parent "I have three children in private school. My husband works long hours so we can afford the tuition. Any tuition assistance would be a blessing." —Marion County Parent 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 $8,000 for Oregon Businesses (Maximum credit based on $10,000 donation). 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.