Earned Income Credit Fully Exempt in Oregon

As explained in a recent article arguing in favor of a federal exemption for the Earned Income Credit, the federal credit, created by 26 U.S.C. §32 (1994), is a refundable tax credit provided for low income workers who have dependent children and who maintain a household. A low income taxpayer can get the credit, in the form of a check or automatic deposit into a bank account, even if the amount of the refund is larger than the amount of tax paid that year.

In Oregon we have an exemption specifically protecting the Earned Income Credit and keeping it entirely exempt from exectution by a debt collector with a judgment.  This exemption also applies to the trustee in a bankruptcy case. 

Highway Use Tax

Are Oregon highway use taxes dischargeable in bankruptcy?  Yes, if certain conditions are met, a debtor in bankruptcy can discharge taxes incurred in Oregon for use of the highways.  Claims for state and federal highway use taxes levied against truckers based on the weights of vehicles turn up frequently in Oregon bankruptcy cases.  The state is aggressive in enforcing the tax required by ORS Chapter 825.

I recently had a new client bring in collection notices for nearly $250,000 in tax assessed by the Oregon Department of Transportation as the result of a an audit of the company books.  The client had failed to properly respond to the audit notices and to pursue all of his administrative remedies.  He later spent over $25,000 in attorney fees to no avail when he tried to get a new hearing.  It is unable to continue operating trucks and has had to close his business.