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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 23, 2017)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2017 New taxes going into effect in 2018 The Oregon Department of Revenue is reminding Oregon businesses and employers, out- of-state businesses with employ- ees or customers in Oregon and vehicle and bicycle buyers to make sure they’re ready for four new taxes starting in 2018. The 2017 Legislature created four tax programs to help fund a statewide transportation pack- age: the bicycle excise tax, the vehicle privilege tax, the vehicle use tax and the statewide transit tax. “ We ’ r e c o m m u n i c a t i n g directly with affected sellers about new taxes relating to some bicycles and vehicles, which begin Jan. 1, 2018,” said Eric Smith, Business Division admin- istrator for the department. “There will be more outreach to employers about the new statewide transit tax as we approach its start date of July 1, 2018,” he said. Bicycle excise tax Oregon’s bicycle excise tax is a flat tax of $15 paid by the con- sumer at the point of sale. To be taxed, a bike must meet all of the following criteria: * Be a new bicycle. * Have two or more wheels that are 26 inches or larger. * Be exclusively human pow- ered and designed for use on the ground. * Have a retail purchase price of $200 or more. Sellers must provide an invoice, receipt, or other proof- of-sale document that has a sep- arate line showing the amount of tax paid by the consumer. They must also report and remit the taxes collected from sales of tax- able bicycles to Revenue at the end of each calendar quarter. The first return, covering sales from January through March, will be due by April 30, 2018. Consumers who don’t pay the tax at the time of purchase must report the purchase and pay the tax directly to the Department of Revenue by the 20th of the month following the month of purchase. Vehicle privilege tax Oregon’s vehicle privilege tax applies to dealers selling new vehicles in Oregon. The tax is on the privilege of selling and equals one-half of one percent (.005) of the retail sales price of the new vehicle. Sales of new vehicles, which must not have been previously registered in Oregon, include: * Vehicles with 7,500 miles or fewer and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 lbs. or less. * Recreational vehicles and motorcycles. * Lease sales of new vehicles. Dealers must report and pay the tax based on their sales at the end of each calendar quarter. The first return, covering sales from January through March, will be due by April 30, 2018. Although a lawsuit has been filed in rela- tion to distribution of the vehicle privilege tax, it doesn’t change a dealer’s responsibility to report and pay the privilege tax on their sales beginning Jan. 1, 2018. Vehicle use tax Oregon’s vehicle use tax applies to vehicles purchased outside of Oregon by Oregon residents or for use in Oregon. It applies to any vehicle which, if purchased in Oregon, would qualify for the vehicle privilege tax. The tax may be paid by the out-of-state dealer or the con- sumer, and it equals one-half of one percent (.005) of the retail sales price of the taxable vehicle. Only some out-of-state deal- ers will be required to collect and remit the use tax. Others will choose to do so. If a dealer does- n’t collect the tax from the con- sumer at the point of sale, the consumer must report and pay it directly to Revenue. Upon payment, the consumer will receive a certificate showing they paid the tax, which the DMV will need to register or title the vehicle in Oregon. The deadline for reporting and pay- ing is the 20th day of the month following the month of pur- chase. Dealers who collect the tax must report and remit it at the end of each calendar quarter. Their first returns, covering sales from January through March, will be due by April 30, 2018. Statewide transit tax The statewide transit tax takes effect on July 1, 2018. It will be one-tenth of one percent (.001) of the wages of Oregon resi- dents--regardless of where they’re working--and non-resi- dents who work in Oregon. Payers of annuities and other periodic payments under ORS 316.189 also must withhold one- tenth of one percent (.001) of these payments. Employers who fail to deduct, withhold and remit the tax to the department will be subject to standard penal- ties. In addition, employers who knowingly fail to deduct and withhold the tax are subject to an additional penalty of $250 per employee, up to $25,000. Oregon residents working for certain out-of-state employers must self-report and pay the tax when they file their personal income tax return, if their employer chooses not to with- hold it. All new taxes More information about the transportation-related taxes can be found at oregon.gov/dor. Affected sellers and employ- ers can register, report taxes, and make payments through the department’s new web applica- tion, Revenue Online. They can visit www.oregon.gov/dor for more information and to sign up for a Revenue Online account. Florence Food Share Ask us about volunteer opportunities. 2190 Spruce Street • P.O.Box 2514 Florence, Oregon 97439 (541) 997-9110 info@fl orencefoodshare.org Friends of the Siuslaw Public Library C R O W C A RO L IN G COURTESY PHOTO C ROW (Children’s Repertory of Oregon Workshops) has been work- ing very hard to put the local community in the Christmas spirit. Several talented young vocalists performed at various community events and locations over the past several days, including: an artist’s reception for Backstreet Gallery, the Florence Rotary meeting and the Shorewood and Spruce Point senior living facilities. CROW’s Artistic Director Melanie Heard said, “It is part of our mission and educational philosophy to give back to the community that shares so much love with us. Happy Holidays from all of us at CROW!” For more information about CROW and its dance and theater programs, visit crowkids.com. Alzheimer’s Association to hold classes at library Boys & Girls Club of Western Lane County We are looking for volunteers to help with • Elementary tutoring, mentoring and program assistance • Teen Center tutoring, mentoring and program assistance • Club van and bus drivers 1601 15th St. • Florence, OR. 97439 541-902-0304 9 A Volunteer Get involved Donate Do your part and volunteer today to help support these local non-proft organizations in our community! The Alzheimer’s Association Oregon Chapter will hold back-to-back classes, “Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters” and “Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, at the Bromley Room of the Siuslaw Public Library, 1460 Ninth St. The warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease are often dismissed as side effects of normal aging. If someone is experiencing memory loss or behavioral changes, it’s time to learn the facts. Early detection provides a chance to begin drug therapy, enroll in clinical studies and plan for the future. Attend the first class to learn the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association will separate myth from reality and address commonly-held fears about Alzheimer’s in America. The second class will review research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement and use hands-on tools to help incorporate these recommen- dations into a plan for healthy aging. “Know the 10 Signs” and “Healthy Living” are free, but registration is required. To register, call 800-272- 3900. For a list of upcoming classes, visit www.alz.org/ore- gon. Blanket Drive for the homeless We are a non-profi t 501 ©(3) organization Our purpose is to partner with the Siuslaw Public Library District through advocacy & fundraising. We fundraise with book sales the community really enjoys! We have fun creating greeting cards to sell! We hope you will join FOL and be an active volunteer. Contact us at siuslawlibraryfriends@gmail. com Check our bulletin board in the Siuslaw Library for meetings schedule and more about what we do. Habitat for Humanity Volunteers needed for new home construction, home repairs, general offi ce work, public relations and program administration. Join an operating committee and help Habitat help others! Call 541-902-9227 or e-mail to fl orencehabitat@gmail.com Offi ce located at 2004 HWY 101, Florence Helping Hands Coalition Assisting those in need in our Community. Free Hot Meals Mon-Wed-Fri • 12:30 AM - 1:30 PM New Life Lutheran Church, 2100 Spruce St, next to Foodshare Call 541-997-5057 to Volunteer Meals on Wheels and Cafe 60 Meals on Wheels are available to people over the age of 60 who cannot get out much due to illness or advanced age and who are not eating properly, regardless of income. Cafe 60 is available for those who prefer to make new friends in a dining room setting. 1570 Kingwood, PO Box 2313, Florence 541-997-5673 laneseniormeals.org The Salvation Army-Western Lane County Col. Sam Spayd, Volunteer Kettle Coordinator P.O. Box 1041 Florence, Oregon 97439 541-991-6139 Us Too Florence Saving men one PSA test at a time. “Someone to talk to...who understands!” 541-997-6626 maribob@oregonfast.net www.ustoofl orence.org Share the Th is winter, Th e Siuslaw News is having a blanket drive to help the homeless in our community. Please help us by donating new or gently used and clean blankets to the homeless. You may drop off your donated items at Th e Siuslaw News 148 Maple St. in Historic Old Town Florence Donations accepted until December 29th Siuslaw News Need more info? Call us at 541-997-3441 or visit our website, thesiuslawnews.com
