Where do my City of Portland Business License Tax dollars go?
| All Other Uses | 30% |
|---|---|
| Bureau of Planning & Sustainability | 1.41% |
| City Budget Office | 0.45% |
| Commissioner of Public Affairs | 0.18% |
| Commissioner of Public Safety | 0.17% |
| Commissioner of Public Utilities | 0.17% |
| Commissioner of Public Works | 0.17% |
| Office of Equity & Human Rights | 0.28% |
| Office of Government Relations | 0.28% |
| Office of Management & Finance | 7.74% |
| Office of Community and Civic Life | 1.62% |
| Office for Community Technology | 0.52% |
| Office of the City Attorney | 1.99% |
| Office of the City Auditor | 1.57% |
| Office of the Mayor | 0.50% |
| Portland Bureau of Emergency Management | 0.53% |
| Prosper Portland | 0.94% |
| Portland Housing Bureau | 5.07% |
| Special Appropriations | 1.69% |
| Contingency | 2.87% |
| Debt Service | 1.59% |
| Transfers to Other Funds | 8% |
|---|---|
| Transportation Operating Fund | 1.92% |
| Emergency Communication Fund | 2.23% |
| Development Services | 0.15% |
| General Reserve Fund | 0.20% |
| Build Portland Reserve | 0.27% |
| Portland Harbor Superfund Reserve | 0.01% |
| Short Term Rental 10-60 | 0.07% |
| Public Election Fund | 0.17% |
| Parks Local Option Levy | 0.00% |
| Killingsworth EQ Replacement | 0.01% |
| Cannabis Licensing | 0.00% |
| Community Solar | 0.00% |
| Pension Debt Redemption Fund | 0.26% |
| Special Projects Debt Service Fund | 0.01% |
| Government Bond Redemption Fund | 0.29% |
| Parks Capital Improvement Program Fund | 0.64% |
| Sewer System Operating | 0.20% |
| Water | 0.89% |
| Environmental Remediation | 0.00% |
| Health Insurance Operating Fund | 0.02% |
| Facilities Services Operating Fund | 0.81% |
| Technology Services | 0.02% |
Visit our Arts Tax Disbursements page to see where the Arts Tax dollars go.
Programs Administered by the Revenue Division
City of Portland Arts Education and Access Fund (Arts Tax)
Each Portland resident age 18 and older that earns income above the federal poverty level and has $1,000 or more income is required to file and pay the Arts Tax. Visit our Arts Tax page for more information about the filing and payment requirements.
City of Portland and Multnomah County Business Taxes
Businesses that are operating within the City of Portland and/or Multnomah County (including rideshare drivers) may be subject to the City of Portland Business License Tax and/or Multnomah County Business Income Tax. Visit our Business Tax page for more information about the registration, filing, and payment requirements.
City of Portland Transient Lodgings Taxes and Fees
Portland hotels, motels, Bed & Breakfasts, vacation rentals, and short term rental operators who provide lodging on a transient (non-permanent) basis for eight (8) days or more days in a calendar year and/or operators who advertise or market space for rent to the general public are required to collect and remit transient lodgings taxes and fees. Visit our Transient Lodgings Tax page for more information about the registration, filing, and payment requirements.
Metro Supportive Housing Services (SHS) Business and Personal Income Tax
In May 2020, voters in greater Portland approved a Measure to fund supportive housing services for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. This program will provide funding for housing assistance and wraparound services, with the goal of ending chronic homelessness in the region. The program is funded by:
- A 1% business income tax on net income for businesses with gross receipts above $5 million that operate in Metro's jurisdiction, and
- A 1% personal income tax. The SHS personal tax is owed by individuals with Metro taxable income above $125,000 if filing single or $200,000 if filing joint who live in Metro (including for only a portion of the year), work in Metro, or have income from Metro sources even if not a resident of Metro.
Visit our Business Tax and Personal Tax information pages for more information about the registration, filing, and payment requirements for these taxes. Visit Metro's Supportive Housing Services page for more information about the program.
Multnomah County Preschool for All (PFA) Personal Income Tax
In November 2020, Multnomah County voters approved a measure to establish a tuition-free preschool program. The Preschool for All program is funded by a personal income tax. The PFA personal tax is owed by individuals with Multnomah County taxable income above $125,000 if filing single or $200,000 if filing joint who live in Multnomah County (including for only a portion of the year), work in Multnomah County, or have income from Multnomah County sources even if not a resident of Multnomah County.
Visit our Personal Tax information page for more information about the filing and payment requirements for these taxes. Visit Multnomah County's Preschool for All page for more information about the program.
Property Management License Program (Enhanced Service Districts)
Property owners within the Enhanced Service Districts pay the property management license fee. The Revenue Division collects these fees. Visit the Enhanced Service Districts page for more information about the program.
Pay and Park Program
Private parking facilities must be registered with the City before a penalty notice can be issued to a car that has parked without paying, parked past the expiration of paid-for parking or the time allowed to park in a non-pay lot. The Revenue Division can mediate disputes over penalty notices. Visit our Pay and Park page for more information.
Secondhand Dealers Permits
Shops that buy and sell used or new property that is frequently the subject of theft (“regulated property”) must have a permit. The Revenue Division issues these permits. Visit our Secondhand Dealers Permits page for more information.
Amusement Devices, Games, and Machines
Games available for play by the public that require the payment of money or other valuable consideration in order to play must have a permit. The Revenue Division issues these permits. Visit our Amusement Devices page for more information.
Social Games Permits
The City’s Social Game permit program regulates the operators of social games, restricting location, age, dollar amount of play, and other rules to protect the public peace, safety, and morals. A person or business that wants to operate a Social Game must have a permit from the Revenue Division. Visit our Social Games Permits page for more information.
Payday Lenders Program
The Revenue Division regulates payday lenders in Portland, Gresham, and Oregon City. Visit our Payday Lenders Program page for more information.
Delivery Fee Complaints
The Revenue Division reviews complaints from restaurants and delivery drivers who may have been overcharged on their pickup or delivery fees. Third-party food platforms are limited to the fees they can charge restaurants and delivery drivers. If you are a restaurant or food delivery driver who was overcharged on your pickup or delivery fees, you may file a delivery fee complaint.
Revenue Division Leadership
Thomas Lannom, CPFO - Revenue Division Director
Timothy Mercer - Tax Division Manager
Jake Schnur, CPA - Audit and Accounting Division Manager
Rachele Harless, PMP - Business Solutions Division Manager
Audits and Evaluations
As a tax collection and regulatory agency, the Revenue Division has a responsibility to be transparent and accountable to the public. Audits and reports concerning the Division and its operations can be found below.
2015: ARTS TAX: Promises to voters only partly fulfilled
An audit concluded that after three years of collections, Portland’s Arts Tax has provided funds to schools and arts organizations, but implementation has been challenging and some objectives and requirements have yet to be accomplished.
2013: Special Study of Multnomah County Business Income Tax (MCBIT) & Vendor Compliance
A County audit found business compliance with the tax was "very good". The $58,600 collected from businesses that owed taxes during the audit period represents about one-tenth of one percent of the over $52 million brought in by the tax in FY11-12.