Requirement to use Electronic Funds Transfer

(1) An employer required to make payment of Oregon combined payroll taxes and assessments under ORS 316.162 through 316.216 shall do so by electronic funds transfer (EFT) if the employer is required to make federal payroll tax payments electronically.

(2) A taxpayer disadvantaged by the requirement to pay by EFT may request an exemption. The request must be in writing and sent to the address for EFT registration. The request must explain why the requirement to pay by EFT is a disadvantage to the taxpayer. An example of circumstances where the requirement is a disadvantage to the taxpayer is when the taxpayer’s bank or the bank of the taxpayer’s payroll service is unable to provide the service. Requests for an exemption will be evaluated on a case by case basis. If granted, the exemption will be for a period of 12 months, during which the taxpayer is expected to make arrangements to comply with the requirement to use EFT. The department will grant only one exemption period to a taxpayer.

(3) An exception to paying by electronic funds transfer is explained in OAR 150-316-0315. The exception is available if this payment method will cause an undue burden to the employer. Additionally, an employer with limited activity in Oregon that is required to pay federal payroll taxes by electronic funds transfer need not do so for Oregon tax if the total of the annual payments to Oregon will not exceed $1,000.

(4) Employers not meeting the requirement to pay by EFT may voluntarily do so by completing and submitting to the department an application for either ACH Debit or ACH Credit EFT. Applications can be requested from the department.

(5) After beginning to make payments electronically, a volunteer may discontinue electronic payments by sending a written request to stop paying by EFT. The request must be sent at least 30 days prior to the date the volunteer wishes to stop paying by EFT. If the volunteer has not reached the then current mandate threshold, the department shall allow the employer to discontinue electronic payments. The volunteer shall continue to make payments by EFT until 30 days after sending the request to the department or the volunteer receives notice from the department agreeing to the discontinuance, whichever occurs earlier.