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Tax Compliance Certification Information

What is a tax compliance certificate?

A tax compliance certificate acts as an official acknowledgement by the Department of Revenue that a taxpayer is in compliance with all state and local tax or fee programs administered by the department.

Part of requesting a tax compliance certificate includes verifying that you and/or your business have filed all required returns for all tax programs for which you have a filing requirement and have paid all outstanding balances.

If you are unsure of you or your businesses' tax compliance status you can review your accounts on Revenue Online.

When do I need a certificate of tax compliance?

A tax compliance certificate is needed to obtain or renew licenses issued by entities such as:

  • Bureau of Labor & Industries

  • Department of Consumer and Business Services

  • Department of Human Services

  • Department of Public Safety Standards & Training

  • Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission

  • Oregon Lottery Commission

In addition, certain federal, state, and local employers require a tax compliance certificate as a condition of employment.

What information is needed to complete a request for a certificate of tax compliance from the department?

Individuals

Note: We cannot accept online applications for individuals at this time. 

If you are an individual requesting a certificate of tax compliance for yourself, as an individual, complete the paper application.  You will need to check the employee box, sign, date, complete the authorization section, and provide the information below. You will not need to complete the fields related to businesses.

  • Name
  • Social Security number
  • Address
  • Phone number

Businesses

Only an owner or officer of a business, as registered with the department, can submit an application requesting a tax compliance certificate on behalf of the business.

To register as an owner or officer of a business, with the department, complete the Business Change in Status Form.

To submit the request for a tax compliance certificate, check the owner/officer box, sign, date, complete the authorization section, and provide the following:

  • Name and Social Security number (SSN) of the owner or officer submitting the application on behalf of the business.

  • Business name and federal employer identification number (FEIN) of the business

  • Business Identification Number (BIN)  for businesses with employee withholding requirements.

  • Business phone number and address

  • Business type (e.g., sole proprietor, partnership, corporation)

  • Any applicable information regarding employees

How do I request a certificate of tax compliance from the department?

There are two options to request a certificate of tax compliance from the department:

Note: We cannot accept online applications for individuals at this time.

What do I do if I am out of compliance?

If you are out of compliance you will need to file returns from the last three years for all tax programs for which you have a filing requirement and pay all outstanding balances.

To pay your outstanding balance, visit the Make a Payment page.

Note: The payment must post to your account before the department will consider you or your business in tax compliance. Payments are subject to various processing times depending on the form of payment. The balance will be considered satisfied the same day the department received the payment if the payment is made with:

  • Cash (accepted only at the Salem office)
  • Certified check
  • Cashier's draft or check
  • Treasurer's check
  • ACH deposit, or
  • Postal bank, express, or telegraph money order

Balances paid with a credit or debit card, or with business or personal check, will not be considered satisfied until the financial institution clears the payment. Payment with credit or debit card may take three to five business days to process. Payments made with business or personal check may take seven to 10 business days to clear. 

In-person payments can be made at all department field offices. Cash payments can only be made at the Salem office.

If you are unable to pay your balance in full you can set up a payment plan.

Frequently asked questions

Each business entity seeking a tax compliance certificate will need to complete a separate application.

​Yes, they need to fill out the Tax Information Authorization and Power of Attorney for Representatio​n Form​ so you can receive tax information on their behalf.​

Note: The attorney cannot sign the tax compliance certification application. ​

​​Some of the common reasons your application may be returned as “unable to process" are:

  • The form is incomplete (e.g., SSN not provided, no agency listed on the authorization section).
  • Department records do not show the applicant is an owner or officer of the business. If the request for a certification is for a business entity, the applicant must be an officer or owner and must sign the application. Officers applying for a certificate need to check the owner checkbox.
  • Applicant name at the top of the form does not match the signature name.