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Corporate Activity Tax (CAT)

About the tax

On May 16, 2019 House Bill 3427 became law.

The legislation accomplished the following:

  • Established a "Fund for Student Success" that is separate and distinct from the state's general fund.
  • Adopted a new Corporate Activity Tax (CAT) imposed on all types of business entities.

The CAT is in addition to the state's current corporate income tax. Revenue from the CAT is transferred to the Fund for Student Success and is used for education spending

The CAT is imposed on businesses for the privilege of doing business in Oregon. It is measured on a business's commercial activity, which is the total amount a business realizes from transactions and activity in Oregon. Certain items are excluded from the definition of commercial activity and, therefore, will not be subject to the CAT. In addition, Oregon's CAT allows a 35 percent subtraction for certain business expenses.

The CAT is applied to taxable Oregon commercial activity more than $1 million. The tax is computed as $250 plus 0.57 percent of taxable Oregon commercial activity of more than $1 million. Only taxpayers with more than $1 million of taxable Oregon commercial activity will have a payment obligation.

Additional information

​CAT 2021 Live ​Training Session​

​The Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) hosted a live training session on the Zoom video conferencing platform on December 7,2021, to provide information to business taxpayers and tax professions about the 2021 legislative changes to the Corporate Activity Tax.  The recording of the training session can be viewed he​re​. ​Questions submitted by participants during the December 7 training session and answers from the CAT policy staff are available here​​.

The PowerPoint presentation from the training session is also available for download​.

​Training PowerPoint presentations

CAT 2020 Live Training Session

The CAT policy team held a pair of live training sessions via the Zoom video-conferencing platform. The PowerPoint presentation used in the sessions is available for download​. Questions emailed by participants during the live 2020 training sessions and answers from the CAT policy staff are grouped by subject.

How to avoid or pay for penalties and interest

To avoid penalty, you must pay any tax owed by the original quarterly due dates. You must also mail your tax return by the original annual due date, or by the extended due date if a valid extension is attached.

You can pay tax, penalties, and interest using Revenue Online. If you mail your payment and return separately, include FORM-OR-CAT-V, Oregon Corporate Activity Tax Payment Voucher, with your payment.

Penalties

​Penalties may include:

  • 5 percent quarterly underpayment penalty (QUP) assessed for failure to pay any quarterly estimated payment as required.
  • 5 percent late pay, or failure-to-pay, penalty on tax not paid by the original due date, even if there's a valid extension.
  • 20 percent late filing, or failure-to-file, penalty on tax not paid in full by the original due date and the return is filed more than three months after the original or extended due date. This is in addition to the 5 percent quarterly underpayment penalties.
  • Additionally, a penalty equal to 25 percent of any calculated deficiency if tax is not paid in full and report is not filed within 30 days of a demand notice being issued by the department.
  • 100 percent late payment and late filing penalty if you do not file returns for three consecutive years by the original or extended return filing due date of the third year.

Your penalty total cannot be more than 100 percent of the tax due.

Interest​​​

If you do not pay your tax balance by the original filing due date, you must pay interest on your unpaid tax. Interest starts accruing the day after the original due date and ends on the day you pay in full. Even if you get an extension to file, you still owe interest if you pay after the return's original due date.

If you file an amended return and have tax to pay, interest will be charged starting the day after the due date of the original return until the date you pay in full.

If your taxable commercial activity changes because of a federal or state audit that results in more tax, interest will be charged from the due date of the original return until the date you pay in full.

An interest period is each full month, starting with the day after the due date of the original return. Interest is calculated daily for a fraction of a month, based on a 365-day year.

Interest rates may change once a calendar year and are the same for refunds and tax due.

Additional interest

Interest increases by one-third of 1 percent per month, up to 4 percent yearly, on delinquencies if:

  • You file a return showing tax due, or we assessed an existing deficiency; and
  • The assessment is not paid within 60 days of when the notice of assessment is issued; and
  • You do not file a timely appeal.​

Frequently asked questions

CAT overview FAQ

​The Corporate Activity Tax (CAT) is an annual tax, established in 2019, and applicable to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2020. The CAT is imposed on taxpayers for the privilege of doing business in Oregon. The CAT is not a transactional tax, such as a retail sales tax, nor is it an income tax. Oregon's CAT is measured on a business's commercial activity—the total amount a business realizes from transactions and activity in the normal course of business in Oregon.

The CAT is applied to Oregon taxable commercial activity more than $1 million. The tax is computed as $250 plus 0.57 percent of Oregon commercial activity more than the $1 million threshold (O​RS 317A.​125).​

Only taxpayers with more than $1 million of taxable Oregon commercial activity will have a payment obligation. The return is due the 15th day of the fourth month following the end of the tax year.​

Certain items are excluded from the definition of commercial activity and, therefore, will not be subject to the CAT. In addition, Oregon's CAT allows a 35 percent subtraction for certain business expenses. General guidance on the CAT, including answers to FAQ, subject-specific trainin​g videos,​ ​​​and instructions on calculating a business's CAT liabili​ty​ is available on our webpage. 

The Department of Revenue has implemented several administrative rules for the CAT program and continues to develop additional guidance. Access CAT rules via the Oregon Administrative Rules Database (OARD). Administrative rule notices can also be found on our website. We encourage all stakeholders to provide feedback. Please send any comments to cat.help.dor@oregon.gov.

If you have questions regarding the Oregon CAT, please contact the CAT team directly at 503-945-8005 or Cat.help.dor@​oregon.gov. If you would like to receive updates on the CAT, please su​bscribe to our mailing list. ​​​​

​Any person, business, or unitary group of businesses doing business in Oregon may have obligations under the CAT. This includes such business entities as C and S corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and other entities.

The CAT sets four thresholds to determine whether a business or unitary group has CAT obligations. These thresholds are based on the amount of commercial activity the business or unitary group earns in Oregon over the course of the year.

Threshold

Amount​​

Explanation

Excluded–No Requirement

$750,000 or less​

Business or unitary group with $750,000 or less of Oregon commercial activity is excluded from all CAT requirements.

Registration Threshold

$750,000+

Business or unitary group with Oregon commercial activity of $750,000 must register for the CAT.

Filing Threshold

$1 million +

Business or unitary group with Oregon commercial activity of more than $1 million must file a return.

Tax Payment Threshold

More than $1 million

Business or unitary group with taxable Oregon commercial activity of more than $1 million must file a return and pay tax. ​​

If you are unsure whether your business is part of a unitary group, please see our Unitary Group training videos.​​

​The CAT legislation excludes certain types of business entities from any CAT liability, unless such business has unrelated business taxable income under federal law. Exempted entities include but are not limited to:​

  • Nonprofit organizations, including business entities that have been recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
  • Farmers' cooperatives that are exempt from federal income taxation.
  • Federal, state, and local government entities (e.g., public school districts).
  • Hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other entities subject to the health insurance premium and managed care assessment or the hospital and long-term care facility assessment.
  • Manufactured dwelling park nonprofit cooperatives organized under ORS Chapter 62.

For a full list of excluded entities see ORS 317A.100(4)​ and Oregon Laws 2021, chapter 572.

Excluded entities are also discussed in the CAT overview video on the CAT training materials link​. ​​​

​For purposes of the CAT, a person has nexus with Oregon to the extent the person can be required under the U.S. Constitution to remit the tax imposed by the CAT. Substantial nexus exists where a person regularly takes advantage of Oregon's economy to realize commercial activity for the person and may be established through the significant economic presence of the person in the state. The department will not apply a bright line nexus test for the CAT. For more information, please refer to OAR 150-317-1010. ​​​​

​Commercial activity is realized according to the method of accounting used for federal income tax purposes. ​

​A business must register for the CAT within 30 days of realizing $750,000 in commercial activity for the year. A penalty of $100 per month may be assessed for failing to register up to $1,000 per calendar year (ORS 317A.131). Once registered, re-registration in subsequent years is not required. Detailed registration instructions are available on the CAT training materials link​. ​​​​

​The laws establishing the CAT do not prohibit any business from recovering a business expense when setting the total price for the sale, lease, or license of an item or the sale of a service (ORS 317A). The CAT is imposed on the entity doing business in Oregon and is considered part of the business's expenses. A business may include the CAT with other business expenses when setting the total price charged to customers. However, the total price charged (including any amount estimated to be attributable to the CAT) is included in the business's commercial activity. ​​

​The Corporate Activity Tax law imposes the tax on the business, not the customer. The CAT is an annual tax, not a tax on any particular transaction. While a business may increase the price charged to customers based on their business expenses, the CAT is imposed on the business entity itself, and thus the total price the business charges (including any amount the business adds to the price estimated to be attributable to the CAT) is included in the business's commercial activity and possibly subject to CAT. The law establishing the CAT does not prohibit a business from including an estimate of the CAT with other business expenses when setting the total price charged to customers (ORS 317A). However, there may be non-tax laws that regulate business pricing, advertising, or other industry trade practices. The Department of Revenue does not advise about compliance with non-tax laws. The Oregon Department of Revenue does not provide guidance on how businesses may estimate the amount of CAT attributable to a specific transaction. Businesses should confer with their own legal advisers or tax professionals. ​

​No. CAT returns cannot be filed via Revenue Online. Returns may be filed by mail, or through an approved e-file vendor only.   ​​

​​​No. While these returns may include business operations of less than 12 months of the taxable year, the effective period should encompass all commercial activity for the year in question and proration is not required.​​​​

Commercial activity and exclusions FAQ

​Commercial activity is the total amount realized by a taxpayer from the transactions and activity in the regular course of their business in Oregon, without deduction for expenses incurred by the business [ORS 317A.1​00(1)(a)]. Commercial activity is realized according to the method of accounting used for federal income tax purposes. Oregon Administrative Rules provides detailed information and examples regarding the definition of commercial activity (OAR 150-317-1000).

While commercial activity includes most business receipts, receipts from certain items are excluded and are not subject to the CAT. For example, the following items are excluded:

  • Receipts from the sale of motor vehicle fuel
  • Certain trades between motor vehicle dealers
  • Receipts from the wholesale and retail sales of groceries
  • Sales of items or services that are delivered outside of Oregon
  • Receipts from a farmer's sales to an agricultural cooperative described in Section 1381 of the Internal Revenue Code
  • Receipts from the sale of fluid milk by dairy farmers that are not members of an agricultural cooperative
  • Property, money, or other amounts received by an agent on behalf of another more than the agent's fee or commission
  • Receipts from transactions between members of the same unitary group
  • Distributive income received from a pass-through entity

These are only a few of the items excluded from commercial activity. The statutes governing the CAT have a list of items that are excluded from commercial activity. See Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 317A and Oregon Laws 2021 (Regular Session), chapter 572. Information on items excluded from commercial activity is also discussed in the CAT overview video on the CAT training material link. ​

​A taxpayer is required to include the value of property transferred into Oregon within a year of purchase outside Oregon if the purchase outside Oregon and transfer into Oregon was intended, in whole or in part, to avoid the CAT. Omitting the value of property purchased outside of Oregon and transferred into Oregon within one year of purchase will be considered a representation by the taxpayer that there was no intent to avoid the CAT. This is subject to review by the department (OAR 150-317-​1130).

Otherwise, the taxpayer should include as commercial activity on its CAT return the value of property transferred into Oregon within a year of the purchase outside Oregon. ​​​

​Motor vehicle dealers sell or transfer vehicles to other motor vehicle dealers for a variety of reasons. Receipts from the sale or transfer of a motor vehicle between two licensed vehicle dealers are excluded from CAT, provided tha​​​t the following requirements are met:

  1. The transfer is of a new vehicle between franchised dealerships; or
  2. The transfer is made for the purpose of resale by the transferee motor vehicle dealer; and
  3. The transfer is made based on the transferee motor vehicle dealer's need to meet a specific customer's preference.

Motor vehicle dealers who qualify to take the exclusion for a transfer made for the purpose of resale to meet a specific customer's preference must retain a CAT resale certificate documenting that the applicable vehicle transfer meets these requirements. A CAT resale certificate is not required for the transfer of new vehicles between franchised dealerships.

Any document may serve as a resale certificate, provided it has all of the following information:

  • Name, address, federal identification number, and dealer license number for both motor vehicle dealers involved in the trade.
  • A description of the vehicle including the vehicle identification number (VIN), serial number, or other identifying number, make, model, and year of the vehicle.
  • A statement, signed by the transferee motor vehicle dealer, their employee, or authorized representative, affirming that the vehicle described in the document was purchased or transferred for the purpose of resale and to meet a specific customer's preference.

​See also OAR 150-317-1410.​

The Oregon Department of Revenue has provided a sample CAT resale certificate​ that motor vehicle dealers may use to document exempt dealer trades. Vehicle dealers are not required to use this form. Any form of documentation with the information listed above can be used as a dealer trade resale certificate for CAT.

The resale certificate must be retained by the dealer along with their transaction records. Do not submit the certificate to the Oregon Department of Revenue unless requested.​​ Information on this exclusion is also available in the Exclusion for Motor Vehicle Dealer Trades video on the CAT training materials link​.

​For purposes of the CAT, a person is an agent if the person acts on behalf of and subject to the control of another person (a principal). A determination of whether an agency relationship exists is based on a consideration of all the facts and circumstances. A contract purporting to establish an agent-principal relationship is just one relevant fact to consider when determining if an agent-principal relationship exists. For additional information and helpful examples, please refer to Oregon Administrative Rules​ (OAR 150-317-1100).​​​​​

​Under the law, receipts from the retail or wholesale sale of groceries are excluded [ORS 317A.​100(1)(b)(EE)].

For further explanation of the exclusion, including how groceries are defined, and the requirements that must be met for receipts to be excluded, refer to this fact sheet. Information on this exclusion is also available in the Exclusion for Retail and Wholesale Grocery Sales video in the CAT training material link.​

See also ORS 317A.100(​1)(b)(W).​​​​

​Sales to a wholesaler for resale outside of Oregon may be excluded from Oregon commercial activity under the Corporate Activity Tax. A taxpayer may exclude receipts from sales to Oregon wholesalers if the wholesaler provides the taxpayer with an out-of-state resale certificate showing that the purchased items will be resold out of the state. All excluded sales must be documented with an Out-of-State Resale Certificate for Sales to Wholesalers. Any document may serve as an out-of-state resale certificate if it contains:

  • The wholesaler's legal name, federal tax ID number, and Oregon address
  • A description of the purchased property
  • The date of purchase
  • The total quantities purchased
  • The purchase price
  • The total dollar amount of the sale purchased for resale out-of-state
  • The signature of the wholesaler, their authorized representative, or employee, certifying that the entity is a wholesaler primarily doing business by merchant distribution of tangible personal property to retailers or to other wholesalers [ORS 317A.100​(20)]

This certificate must be retained by the seller along with their transaction records. Do not submit the certificate to the Oregon Department of Revenue unless requested to do so. A sample of an Out-of-State Resale Certificate for Sales t​o Wholesalers​ is also available.

You can find information for sellers and wholesalers, a pair of examples, two methods by which to approximate the percentage of goods to be resold outside of Oregon, and an explanation of the required documentation by reviewing this fac​t sheet​. Information on this exclusion is also available in the Exclusion for Sales to Wholesalers video on the CAT training material link.​
​

Farming operations taxpayers seeking information about getting certificates from a broker or wholesaler for sales of agricultural commodities, or who want to use industry average percentages, should consult the “How can farming operations selling agricultural commodities demonstrate out-of-state-sales?" FAQ below.​​​

​Taxpayers engaged in farming operations doing business under NAICS code 111 (crop production), 112 (animal production and aquaculture), or 115 (support activities for agriculture and forestry) may use this Out-of-State Certificate​​ for sales of agricultural commodities to wholesalers or brokers.

Alternatively, farming operations taxpayers may use an industry average, for sales of the agricultural commodity made the previous tax year, that is based on the most recent information from publications by government entities or trade associations such as the United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS). Information is also provided for farming operations selling agricultural commodities to wholesalers or brokers (OAR 150-317-1170).​​

​The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress provides federal assistance to small businesses, including forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) emergency advances, and Small Business Administration (SBA) debt relief for certain business loans. The CARES Act also provides direct support to farmers and ranchers through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Generally, an EIDL emergency advance, SBA debt relief payment, or forgivable PPP loan (whether or not forgiven) received by a business from these federal relief programs is not commercial activity and thus is not subject to the Corporate Activity Tax. 

Similarly, direct support payments to farmers and ranchers issued under the Direct Assistance to Farmers component of the CFAP are generally not considered commercial activity. CAT taxpayers are allowed to subtract 35 percent of the greater of their cost inputs or their labor costs that are attributable to commercial activity. The amount of an EIDL emergency advance, PPP loan (forgiven or not), or CFAP direct assistance payment that is used to pay labor costs or cost inputs incurred over the year can be included in the taxpayer's costs eligible for the subtraction so long as those costs are attributable to commercial activity. 

Eligible labor costs attributable to commercial activity may include vacation, personal leave, sick leave, family leave, and compensation to keep employees when the taxpayer's operations are closed or substantially curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, if and to the extent those employees' duties are attributable to commercial activity but for the pandemic.

Please refer to our “How to Calculate CAT Liability" FAQ for further information on using the commercial activity ratio to apportion costs. For CAT taxpayers who elect to use the separate accounting method to determine costs eligible for subtraction, the amount of an EIDL emergency advance, CFAP direct assistance payment, or PPP loan (forgiven or not) used to pay labor costs or cost inputs may be included when calculating the 35 percent subtraction, if and to the extent those costs or cost inputs are attributable to commercial activity, including eligible labor costs as described above.​

Unitary group FAQ

​A unitary group is a group of business entities or separate parts of a single entity that are united by more than 50 percent direct or indirect common ownership and engaged in a unitary business enterprise in which members share or exchange value [ORS 317A.1​00(19​)].

More than 50 percent common ownership means directly or indirectly owning more than 50 percent of the voting power and value of the ownership interest of an entity with the ability to control or determine the management of the entity. A stock or ownership interest may be constructively owned.

The sharing or exchange of value requires interdependency of the parts of the business and requires more than a passive investment of funds.

A unitary business exists if at least one of the following conditions exists directly or indirectly between the members or parts of the enterprise:

  • Centralized management or a common executive force;
  • Centralized administrative services or functions resulting in economies of scale; or
  • Flow of goods, capital resources, or services demonstrating functional integration.

Generally, business activities that are in the same general line of business, such as manufacturing, wholesaling, or retailing constitute a unitary business. Or business activities may be part of a vertically integrated process, such as the steps involved in the production of natural resources, which might include exploration, mining, refining, and marketing.

Receipts from transactions between unitary group members are excluded from commercial activity. A subtraction from commercial activity is not allowed for any amount of expenses from transactions among members of a unitary group.

Refer to Oregon Administrative Rule 150-3​17-1020 for more information about common ownership and unitary business determination.

For further information on unitary groups, please refer to the Unitary Group video on the CAT training material link.​ For specific information on registering and filing as a unitary group please refer to the “How do unitary groups register and file?" FAQ below. Further information for unitary groups with non-U.S. members is also available in the “Can unitary groups with non-US members exclude the non-US members from a group return?" FAQ below.​​​​​

​Unitary groups must register, file, and pay as a single taxpayer (ORS 317A.106 ).

A unitary group taxpayer must designate a single member (designated CAT entity) to register, file, and pay CAT. Taxpayers can register for CAT through Revenue Online  using the designated CAT entity name and FEIN.

A full list of all unitary group members is not required at registration. However, the unitary group's designated CAT entity must file a combined CAT return and submit the CAT affiliate schedule (OR-AF-CAT), listing all unitary group members with Oregon commercial activity.​​​

​Yes, unitary groups with non-U.S. members may elect to exclude all non-U.S. members from the group return that:

  1. Have no commercial activity sourced to Oregon; and
  2. Have no exclusions from commercial activity that would otherwise be sourced to Oregon (including, but not limited to, receipts from transactions between members of the unitary group).

The election must be made annually on the unitary group's combined CAT return. The election is binding for, and applicable to, the tax year it is made.

A unitary group that elects to exclude any non-U.S. member must maintain a list of excluded non-U.S. members. The unitary group must retain the list in their records and provide it to the department upon request.

Further information on the unitary group election is available in rule (OAR 150-317-1025​).​​​

Groups of persons that meet the common ownership requirements or constructively own stock or other ownership interest with the ability to control or determine the management of the entity [as described in OAR 150-317-1020(10)], must also analyze the unitary business factors of functional integration, economies of scale, or centralized management to determine if a unitary relationship exists between the groups of persons. Entities that meet the common ownership requirements and share a unitary relationship with more than one unitary group must register, file, and pay the CAT as a member of only one unitary group. Entities meeting the criteria for inclusion in more than one unitary group must file with the unitary group that realizes the greatest amount of Oregon commercial activity, after exclusions. Refer to OAR 150-317-1020​ for more information.​​​​

CAT subtraction and tax liability FAQ

​No two taxpayers are exactly alike. The facts and circumstances of each taxpayer is unique, but every taxpayer will need the same information to determine their liability under the Corporate Activity Tax. Calculating CAT liability is also discussed in the Commercial Activity Subtraction video on the CAT training material link.​ For more information, please refer to the general guidance on calculat​ing a busi​ness's CAT liability​. If you have more questions, please send them to the CAT policy team at cat.help.dor@oregon.gov​. ​​​​​

​Cost inputs are defined as cost of goods sold as calculated in arriving at federal taxable income under the Internal Revenue Code [ORS 317​A.1​00(2 )]. Taxpayers can refer to IRS Publication 538, Accounting Periods and Methods, for more information.

For taxpayers engaged in farming operations doing business under NAICS code 111 (crop production), 112 (animal production and aqua​​culture), or 115 (support activities for agriculture and forestry) who are not required to report cost of goods sold for federal tax purposes, “cost inputs" means the taxpayer's operating costs excluding labor costs.

The Commercial Activity Subtraction video on the CAT training material link​​ provides information to assist taxpayers in determining their cost inputs for purposes of CAT's 35 percent subtraction. Farming operations may also refer to the Cost Inputs for Farming Operations training video on the CAT training material link​​ ​which provides specific information for the agricultural sector. ​​​​​

​Under the laws governing the CAT, taxpayers can subtract 35 percent of the greater of cost inputs or labor costs from commercial activity sourced to Oregon (OR​S 317​A.119 ). A subtraction is not allowed for expenses from transactions among members of a unitary group or cost inputs or labor costs associated with receipts from items excluded from commercial activity (ORS 317A.106).

Taxpayers with commercial activity in and outside of Oregon, as well as those with excluded items, may have to apportion their cost inputs or labor costs (OAR 150-317-1200).

Labor costs include most types of compensation paid to employees, such as wages, health insurance benefits, retirement benefits, and any other fringe benefits, but it does not include employees' payroll taxes or compensation more than $500,000 paid to any single employee.

For purposes of the CAT, "employee" means an individual who provides services under the control of another person or organization. Generally, an individual will be considered an employee if the person or organization that receives the services is subject to industrial accident insurance, unemployment compensation, federal Social Security, or federal tax withholding for that individual.

"Employees" do not include:

  • Partners in a partnership who receive guaranteed payments or distributive income.
  • Members in a limited liability company (LLC) who receive guaranteed payments or distributive income.
  • Statutory employees described in the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 3121(d)(3).
    • ​Independent contractors (ORS 670.600).

The Commercial Activity Subtraction video on the CAT training material link ​provides information to assist taxpayers in determining their labor costs for purposes of CAT's 35 percent subtraction.​​​

Filing extensions, quarterly estimated payments, and penalty

​Yes, for good cause. An extension of up to six months may be allowed to file a CAT return. The extension to file a CAT return is not tied to a federal extension to file. An extension to file the CAT return will be granted based on good cause, which is defined as circumstances beyond a taxpayer's control or if the taxpayer lacks the information needed to file an accurate CAT return. The extension of time to file must be requested in the form prescribed by the department on or before the due date of the return. The extension form and instructions are available on Revenue Online. ​​

​For tax year 2020, the CAT is based on a calendar year. The 2020 return and instructions are available online in the Forms and Publications Library.

For 2021 and forward, returns are due on or before the 15th day of the fourth month following the end of the tax year. Filing dates for CAT are set by state statute and are not tied to the due date of the annual federal income tax return. If the deadline to file the CAT return falls on a weekend or a holiday (ORS 187.010 and 187.020) the return is due the next business day.

For the 2021 calendar year, taxpayers using an annual accounting period other than a calendar year for federal tax purposes must prorate the CAT registration, filing, and payment thresholds. Taxpayers who exceed the prorated filing threshold must file a short period return that starts on January 1, 2021 and ends on the last day of their tax year that ends in 2021. Short period returns for 2021 are due on or before April 15, 2022. The April 15, 2022 filing date for a 2021 short year return is not tied to the due date of the annual federal income tax return. For further information on fiscal year filing requirements, please refer to our su​mmary of 2021 legislative changes (SB 164)​ ​or the CAT 2021 Live Training​.

While returns must be filed annually, CAT taxpayers that meet the estimated payment threshold must make estimated quarterly payments throughout the tax year. Generally, estimated payments are due for the previous quarter on or before the last day of the fourth, seventh, and tenth month of the tax year, and on the last day of the first month immediately following the end of the tax year. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the estimated payment or return is due the following business day. For further information on estimated payments, please refer to our “When are estimated payments required" FAQ. ​​

​For tax year 2020, a taxpayer expecting $10,000 or more of Corporate Activity Tax liability for the current 2020 tax year must make estimated payments. A taxpayer expecting less than $10,000 for the 2020 tax year is not required to make estimated payments but must still file an annual return, if required otherwise, and pay the CAT no later than April 15, 2021.

For tax years 2021 and on, a taxpayer expecting $5,000 or more of CAT liability must make estimated payments. A taxpayer expecting less than $5,000 for tax year 2021 and on will not be required to make estimated payments but must still file an annual return, if required otherwise, and pay the CAT.

Estimated payments, which can be calculated using the estimated payments worksheet included in the CAT return instructions, are due for the previous quarter on or before the last day of the fourth, seventh, and tenth month of the tax year, and on the last day of the first month immediately following the end of the tax year.  

More information is available in rule (OAR 150-317-1300, 150-317-1310, and 150-317-1320).​​​​

​Estimated payments can be made using one of these options:

  • Electronic payment using Revenue Online (ROL). Taxpayers can login to ROL and make a payment, or make a non-logged in payment using their CAT account ID. If you don't know the account ID, you can find it by logging into your ROL account.By mail. 
  • If paying by mail, send each payment with a Form OR-CA​T-V voucher.
  • ACH Credit. Submit your application by going to Revenue Online and clicking on Apply for ACH credit. 

Step-by-step directions are available here​. ​​​​

​For tax years 2020 and 2021, taxpayers who do not pay at least 80 percent of any quarterly balance may be assessed a penalty of 5 percent on the amount of the underpayment of estimated tax. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2022 the required minimum quarterly installment amount increases to 90 percent to avoid the 5 percent penalty. Refer to the FAQ "Is penalty relief available for 2020?" FAQ below for further information about penalty relief for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The department will not charge interest on underpayment of estimated tax that results solely from the operation of ORS 317A.100 to 317A.158.

More information can be found on the penalties and interest link​ ​at the top of the page.​​

​Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the department has adjusted the Corporate Activity Tax estimated payment requirements for 2020. If taxpayers know they will owe $10,000 or more in annual corporate activity tax in 2020 and can pay, they should make estimated quarterly payments and comply with the law. For questions about calculating estimated payments for 2020, please see "When are estimated payments required?" above.

The department will not assess penalties for underestimating quarterly payments if the business has made a good faith effort to comply. The department also will not assess a penalty for failure to make a quarterly payment if a business doesn't have the financial ability to make the estimated payment. A good-faith effort can be demonstrated by the extent of the taxpayer's efforts to accurately estimate and pay the required quarterly installment (OAR​ 150-317-1500). To demonstrate a good-faith effort, business taxpayers should keep documentation showing:

  • The taxpayer was unable to pay a full quarterly installment because of insufficient funds due to COVID-19.
  • The taxpayer could not reasonably calculate a quarterly payment or annual tax liability due to the impact of COVID-19 on their business.
  • The taxpayer can show that they had no ability to determine whether they would have CAT liability for the 2020 tax year, after taking into consideration exclusions and subtractions (ORS Chapter 317A). 
  • The taxpayer made a reasonable estimate of the quarterly installment based on information available to them at the time.
  • The taxpayer relied on information contained in a proposed administrative rule.

Taxpayers must use the best information available, and document all information and assumptions relied upon. Taxpayers are not required to submit documentation to the department unless requested. For general information on CAT penalties, please see the "When will the department impose interest and penalties?" FAQ above.
To learn how the coronavirus pandemic, wildfires, and straight-line winds affect tax obligations more generally, please visit the department's tax relief options webpage.​​

Contact DOR

Questions about the CAT may be emailed to cat.help.dor@o​regon.gov. Additionally, we keep a mailing list for future CAT updates. If you would like to sign up for additional information as it becomes available, please subscribe to our mailing list. Also, you can call 503-945-8005.​​​​​


Contact us

Phone: 503-945-8005

Email: cat.help.dor@oregon.gov

Fax: 503-947-2091

Available between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday

If you would like to sign up for additional information as it becomes available, please subscribe to our mailing list. 

You can also follow us on Twitter at #OregonCAT.

Resources

​​Estimated payments

For tax years 2021 and on, a taxpayer expecting $5,000 or more of CAT liability must make estimated payments. A taxpayer expecting less than $5,000 for tax year 2021 and on will not be required to make estimated payments but must still file an annual return, if required otherwise, and pay the CAT.

Estimated payments, which can be calculated using the estimated payments worksheet included in the CAT return instructions, are due for the previous quarter on or before the last day of the fourth, seventh, and tenth months of the tax year, and on the last day of the first month immediately following the end of the tax year. 

Make a payment​

CAT payment training​​​

​ORS 317A-Corporat​e Activity Tax 

House Bill 420​2 summary

SB 164 summary​​

To see CAT administrative rules that have been filed ​with the Oregon Secretary of State, visit our administr​ative rule notices webpage​. ​​​

​Returns may be filed by mail, or through an approved e-file vendor only.

Find approved CAT e-file vendors​

Find CAT forms​​​

​If you would like to sign up for additional information as it becomes available, please subscribe to our mailing list.

You can also follow us on Twitter at #OregonCAT.

To provide rule input, email rulescoordinator.dor@oregon.gov.​​​​

Our voluntary disclosure program helps resolve prior tax debt. If your business isn't in compliance with Oregon tax laws, we encourage you to come forward. See our voluntary disclosure page for more information.  ​​​