Exemption for Blind and Severely Disabled

(1) Oregon allows a personal exemption credit (in the amount determined under ORS 316.085) multiplied by the number of personal exemptions claimed under IRC Section 151. If a taxpayer or spouse qualifies for the additional standard deduction for blindness as defined under ORS 316.695(8)(d), the taxpayer or spouse also qualifies for the credit for severely disabled as defined under ORS 316.752(1)(c).

(2) The additional personal exemption will be allowed even if the taxpayer can be claimed on another taxpayer’s return and is unable to claim their own personal exemption. Example: Sam is 23 years old and blind. He qualifies as a dependent on his parents’ return. Because Sam is over the age of 17, his parents cannot claim the additional exemption for their dependent disabled child allowed under ORS 316.099. Sam invests in a partnership and is required to file a tax return for federal and state purposes. Since his parents are eligible to claim him on their return, he cannot claim his own personal exemption. Sam is allowed to claim the additional exemption for being severely disabled allowed under ORS 316.758 and the additional standard deduction for being blind.