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