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April 13, 2016
photo by M ark W ashington /t he p ortland o bserver
Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill embraces Perlia
Bell, the mother of Asia Bell, a Portland woman who died of gun
violence in 2002.
‘We Live in Fear’
C ontinued froM f ront
tor Mark Strong, a member of the
local African-American clergy.
“This is a problem for all. Wheth-
er it’s black, white, Hispanic, it’s
everybody’s problem.”
So far this year, police have re-
sponded to 45 gang-related shoot-
ings, up from 36 at the same time
Arts Tax
C ontinued froM p age 2
information. As it stands, every
adult living within Portland city
limits that makes a minimum an-
nual income of $1,000 has to pay
the $35 tax fee. The Arts Tax form
is separate from federal and state
income tax forms, and applies
even if you don’t file your taxes.
The 2016 Arts Tax is due on
April 18, with a $15 penalty for
late payment. Tax payments re-
ceived after Oct. 17 come with a
$35 penalty, doubling the tax. Cer-
tain factors do qualify residents
for an exemption. If you’re single
and your annual income is less
than $11,770, or if you’re a couple
a year ago. There’s been 15 people
wounded and one person killed
with 414 bullet casings recovered at
crime scenes, authorities indicated.
The effort to make the commu-
nity saver from gunfire was to tar-
get the individuals who are pull-
ing the triggers, “The worst of the
worst,” to get them off the street
and incarcerate them, police said.
with an annual income of less than
$15,930, you don’t have to pay.
In order to opt out, however,
you must still complete the Arts
Tax form every year, providing a
proof of income via copies of your
tax form, or federal form 4506-T.
If you’re over 70 years old, dis-
abled, and fall within low income
guidelines, the option of perma-
nent exemption is available by
completing a separate form.
All these forms and qualifica-
tions can be tricky to keep up with,
so Elders in Action is available for
assistance at 503-235-5474.
The City of Portland Revenue
Division encourages everyone to
pay their tax online (portlandore-
gon.gov/artstax) as the quickest
and easiest way to avoid the pen-
alty fee.