Is there a benefit to filing a tax return, even if I have low, or no, income?

Yes. Credits may earn you a tax refund! The Oregon state income tax credit is refundable, so even if your income is below the IRS minimum requirement to file taxes, you are still eligible to claim the state tax credit, but you must file your taxes to receive the refund. This also applies to other tax credits. If you qualify for other credits, but owe no tax, you are able to claim the excess tax credit as a refund when you file your return. Additionally, you have the option to deposit any income tax refund you earn into an existing Embark account during the tax filing process; it’s a simple way to grow your education savings and help earn your tax credit for next year. In addition to the many free file options available through the Oregon Department of Revenue website, free tax preparation services are available for low- to moderate-income Oregon residents through reputable programs such as CASH Oregon and AARP Tax-Aide.