Oregon Tax Court Issues Ruling Interpreting Enhanced Interest Rates on Court-Ordered Tax Refunds

The Oregon Tax Court, Regular Division, ruled in favor of the taxpayers’ interpretation of ORS 305.222(1) regarding enhanced interest rates on court-ordered tax refunds. The dispute arose from disagreement over when the 60-day period for applying enhanced interest rates begins in cases that may be appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court. Applying principles of statutory interpretation, the court concluded that the word “or” in the statute should be read disjunctively, meaning the enhanced interest rate applies 61 days after the Tax Court’s order, regardless of any potential appeal. The court based its decision on the plain text of the statute, ...