Tax Day Approaches: Don't Wait Until the Last Minute

Oregon officials urge taxpayers to file early as the deadline nears

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:41pm

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With just two weeks left until the April 15 tax filing deadline, nearly one million Oregon taxpayers have yet to submit their 2025 personal income tax returns. The Oregon Department of Revenue is sharing tips to help last-minute filers, including the importance of filing electronically and mailing paper returns early to ensure they are postmarked on time.

Why it matters

While the days of long lines at post offices on Tax Day are gone, a significant number of Oregonians still wait until the final weeks to file their taxes. This last-minute rush can create delays and challenges for the state's tax agency, so officials are encouraging early filing to ensure a smooth process for all taxpayers.

The details

The Oregon Department of Revenue reports that nearly 94% of personal income tax returns were filed electronically last year, up from 86% a decade ago. However, the remaining 5-6% of taxpayers who still file paper returns are urged to mail them early, as changes at the U.S. Postal Service mean returns mailed after April 9 may not receive a postmark by the April 15 deadline. For those who miss the mail deadline, the Department of Revenue will have staff available at its Salem headquarters to accept and date-stamp returns in person through Tax Day.

  • The tax filing deadline for 2025 returns is April 15, 2026.
  • The Department of Revenue recommends mailing paper returns by April 9 to ensure a timely postmark.
  • Department of Revenue staff will be available to accept and date-stamp returns at the Salem headquarters from April 13-15.

The players

Megan Denison

Personal tax and compliance administrator for the Oregon Department of Revenue.

Oregon Department of Revenue

The state agency responsible for administering and collecting personal income taxes in Oregon.

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What they’re saying

“As much as we wish it wasn't, it's normal for nearly half of returns to come in the last two weeks.”

— Megan Denison, Personal tax and compliance administrator

What’s next

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The takeaway

This story highlights the importance of filing taxes early, even as the traditional last-minute rush has faded. By encouraging Oregonians to submit their returns well before the deadline, the Department of Revenue aims to streamline the process and ensure a timely refund for all taxpayers.