Remember the Arts Tax

Remember This From Last Year?

 On November 6, 2012, Portland voters passed the Arts Education and Access Income Tax (Arts Tax). This new income tax will fund Portland school teachers and art focused non-profit organizations in Portland.

Each Portland resident, age 18 and older, must file. Your tax is $35 unless:

• You did not have any income; OR
• Your household is at or below the federal poverty level

Call 503-865-4ART (4278) to speak to a customer service representative Monday thru Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email artstaxhelp@portlandoregon.gov.

How To Pay The Tax

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/revenue/artstax/index.cfm?action=PaymentInfo

MB Tax Pro, does NOT file this on your behalf, you are required to file.

Where Does the Money Go?

Net revenues from the Arts Education and Access Fund will be disbursed by the Revenue Bureau to six Portland area school districts and Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC). The Citizen Oversight Committee is charged with reviewing the expenditures, progress and outcomes of the Arts Education & Access Fund and reporting their findings annually to City Council.

 Arts Education: Portland School Districts

1. Funds distributed to school districts will be used to hire certified arts or music education teachers for elementary school students for Kindergarten through 5th grade (K-5).
2. Distribution is based on a ratio of one teacher for every 500 K-5 students at schools that serve Portland K-5 students. Schools and Charter schools with less than 500 Portland K-5 students will get funds on a pro rata basis based on the number of students attending that school.
3. Students attending schools that receive no distribution of funds will not be counted.

Funds will not be distributed to elementary schools within the school districts:

1. That have no Portland K-5 students.
2. That have Portland K-5 students enrolled, but whose catchment does not overlap with the City of Portland’s geographical boundaries.

Districts receiving funding:

• Centennial School District
• David Douglas School District
• Parkrose School District
• Portland Public Schools
• Reynolds School District
• Riverdale School District

Arts Access: Regional Arts & Culture Council

Any funds remaining after distribution to the School Districts shall be distributed to RACC. The City’s contract with RACC ensures the funds are spent as follows:

Grants to support non-profit Portland arts organizations

1. Up to 95% of the remaining funds will be distributed to RACC for grants to support non-profit Portland arts organizations.
2. RACC will decide which arts organizations will get funds based on their contract with the City.
3. If RACC distributes less than 95% of the funds to non-profit Portland arts organizations, the remaining funds will go to non-profit organizations and schools that will give access to arts experiences to K-12 students and for grants and programs that will make arts and culture experiences available to Portland residents.