The "kicker" tax refund: How big will it be?

(MAY 18, 2019) Oregon has an unusual tax law. It sometimes gives surprise refunds. A refund is when money is returned.

Every two years, the state of Oregon makes a budget. A budget is a plan for income and expense. Income is money that you earn. Expense is money that you spend.

The state has a special law about income. If the income is more than 2% above the budget, then the state refunds the extra money. But taxpayers do not receive cash. They receive a credit on their next tax bill.

This kind of tax refund is called a "kicker". And the "kicker" will be very big this year. Some people say it will be $1.4 billion. It will be the largest "kicker" in Oregon's history. People say the average refund will be $338 per taxpayer.

“I have never seen anything like this,” says state senator Mark Hass.

However, some government leaders want to keep some of the extra money. They want to pay for transportation, safety, and jobs. Others say the money belongs to the taxpayers. They say it must be returned.