Honestly, if you live in Oregon, you’ve probably heard the term "kicker" thrown around more than a frisbee at a Portland park. It sounds like something from a soccer match, but in reality, it's the state’s way of saying, "Oops, we accidentally took too much of your money, here it is back."
But there is a massive amount of confusion right now about the oregon kicker credit 2024. People are looking at their 2024 tax forms and wondering where the "free money" is.
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Here is the kicker (pun intended): there isn't one for the 2024 tax filing season that you are doing right now. You didn't miss it. You didn't lose it. It just doesn't exist for the 2024 return.
The Timeline Shift Nobody Explains Well
Oregon works on a two-year budget cycle called a biennium. Because of how the law is written, the kicker only triggers every other year. We just had a monster kicker in early 2024 (for the 2023 tax year) that returned a record-breaking $5.6 billion to taxpayers. That one was huge—about 44% of what people paid in 2022.
But since that was an even-numbered year, the cycle resets.
The next oregon kicker credit 2024 situation actually involves the taxes you are paying now in 2024, which you will get back in 2026. I know, it's a bit of a head-scratcher. Essentially, the revenue the state collects during 2024 helps determine if we get a refund later.
On November 1, 2025, the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis officially certified a $1.41 billion surplus for the 2023-2025 period. This means a kicker is coming, but it won't hit your pocket until you file your 2025 taxes in the spring of 2026.
How the 9.863% Math Actually Works
When the kicker finally lands, it’s not a flat check. It’s a percentage of your "tax liability."
For the upcoming credit (the one triggered by the 2024-2025 surplus), the magic number is 9.863%.
To figure out what you’ll eventually see, you need to look at your 2024 Oregon tax return—specifically the one you are filing now.
- Find Line 24 on your Form OR-40.
- This is your "Tax before credits."
- Multiply that number by 0.09863.
If you owed the state $5,000 in taxes for 2024, your kicker credit in 2026 will be roughly $493. It’s not the thousands of dollars some people got last year, but it’s still a decent chunk of change for a car repair or a nice dinner out.
Why 2024 is the "Setup" Year
You can’t get the kicker in 2026 if you don't do your homework in 2024. This is the part people mess up.
To be eligible for the credit when it finally arrives, you must:
- File a 2024 tax return. Even if you don't owe anything, the state needs this on record to calculate your future credit.
- File a 2025 tax return. This is when the credit actually gets applied.
If you skip filing this year because you didn't make enough money or you're just over it, you effectively forfeit your share of that $1.41 billion surplus. The state won't hunt you down to give it to you. You have to claim it.
Don't Expect a Check in the Mail
Gone are the days when the Governor sent out physical checks that you had to wait for at the mailbox. Now, the kicker is a "refundable credit."
This basically means it’s applied directly to your tax bill. If you owe $1,000 in taxes in 2026 and your kicker is $493, you only pay $507. If you were already getting a $200 refund, your refund becomes $693.
It’s cleaner for the state, but arguably less "fun" than getting a surprise check.
Common Pitfalls and "Gotchas"
Oregon is pretty strict about who actually gets to keep the money. The state keeps a "blacklist" of sorts for the kicker. If you owe back taxes, child support, or court fines, the Department of Revenue will snatch that kicker before it ever hits your bank account.
Also, keep in mind the corporate kicker is a totally different beast. While personal income tax surpluses go back to us, any corporate kicker surplus goes straight to the State School Fund. We don't see a dime of that.
There’s also a new sheriff in town—state economist Carl Riccadonna. He’s updated the models the state uses to predict revenue. He’s been pretty vocal about the fact that he wants these "surprises" to stop. If his math is better than the previous guys, these billion-dollar kickers might become a thing of the past.
Is the Kicker Taxable?
This is the question that keeps CPAs up at night.
Oregon doesn't tax your kicker. They gave it to you; they aren't going to take a piece of it back immediately. However, the IRS might have a different opinion. If you itemized your deductions on your federal return in a previous year, the kicker might count as "taxable income" at the federal level.
You’ll get a Form 1099-G in the mail. Don't throw it away. You'll need it for your federal return, even if you don't need it for your Oregon one.
What You Should Do Right Now
Since we are currently in the middle of the 2024 tax year, your goal is simple: Documentation.
- Keep your 2024 return safe. You will need the specific "tax liability" number from this year to verify your kicker amount in 2026.
- Use the "What's My Kicker?" tool. The Oregon Department of Revenue usually updates their online calculator once the certificates are finalized. It’s the easiest way to avoid doing the math yourself.
- Plan for the "Gap Year." Remember that 2025 (the year we are in) is the waiting year. You aren't getting a kicker refund during 2025 for the 2024 tax year.
- File even if you don't have to. If your income was low in 2024 but you still had a tax liability, file the return. That 9.8% belongs to you.
The oregon kicker credit 2024 cycle is a long game. It requires patience and a bit of record-keeping, but in a state with no sales tax and relatively high income tax, it's the one time of the biennium where the math actually swings back in your favor.
Keep your Form OR-40 handy and stay tuned for the 2026 filing season—that's when the "kicker" finally scores.
Next Steps for Oregon Taxpayers:
First, locate your most recent filed tax return to find your liability. Then, visit the Oregon Department of Revenue's Revenue Online portal to use the "What's My Kicker?" calculator to get an exact estimate of your upcoming credit. Finally, ensure your current 2024 filing is accurate, as this is the foundation for your 2026 refund.