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New Member
posted Jun 6, 2019 4:21:58 AM

Hi. I live in Washington but work in Oregon. I payed Oregon income tax all year but i'm CDL driver. I should be exempt from it. Can i get it back thought turbo tax?

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1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Jun 6, 2019 4:22:00 AM

It depends.  Oregon has extensive information on this topic in Publication OR-17, Oregon Individual Income Tax Guide (Click on link, and look on page 41 for the subject Interstate Transportation Wages).  In that section, there were three examples (Examples 1, 2, and 4) that likely apply to your case.  As a driver, those three examples were exempt from Oregon taxes, but Example 4 speaks about a situation where a driver's income in Oregon could be taxable.  Before you file, make sure that you're situation qualifies for the exemption.

Assuming you do qualify, then, yes, you can prepare the return in TurboTax.  You will file a nonresident return for Oregon, and when it talks about allocating your Oregon income you will say that the amount of Oregon income is zero.  Instead of e-filing, you will want to mail-in the return with the words "Amtrak Act 1990" on the first page. (Keep in mind that Oregon may wish substantiation.)  Also, you may request from your employer that Oregon tax not be withheld from your check.so you do not have to file an Oregon return in the future.

2 Replies
Expert Alumni
Jun 6, 2019 4:22:00 AM

It depends.  Oregon has extensive information on this topic in Publication OR-17, Oregon Individual Income Tax Guide (Click on link, and look on page 41 for the subject Interstate Transportation Wages).  In that section, there were three examples (Examples 1, 2, and 4) that likely apply to your case.  As a driver, those three examples were exempt from Oregon taxes, but Example 4 speaks about a situation where a driver's income in Oregon could be taxable.  Before you file, make sure that you're situation qualifies for the exemption.

Assuming you do qualify, then, yes, you can prepare the return in TurboTax.  You will file a nonresident return for Oregon, and when it talks about allocating your Oregon income you will say that the amount of Oregon income is zero.  Instead of e-filing, you will want to mail-in the return with the words "Amtrak Act 1990" on the first page. (Keep in mind that Oregon may wish substantiation.)  Also, you may request from your employer that Oregon tax not be withheld from your check.so you do not have to file an Oregon return in the future.

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 4:22:01 AM

Amtrak act. Awesome break for wa residents working in oregon.  Notify your HR and after your first year of working, when it's time to file the first time, take it in to an actual tax place to make sure it goes smoothly,  after that you should see OR state tax be removed from your checks. Good luck because I had to prove I was travelling back and forth. I just left Oregon and work and live in washington.