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Department of Revenue: Electronic Services

EFT Questions & Answers
1.   What is EFT (electronic funds transfer)?
EFT is an electronic method for moving funds from one account to another. EFT transactions are faster and more secure than moving funds by check.
2. Who is required to make payments using EFT?
You must pay your Oregon combined payroll and/or estimated corporation excise or income taxes electronically via EFT if you are federally mandated to use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS).
3. Can I make payments voluntarily using EFT?
Yes. If you don´t meet the mandated requirement, but you want to make your combined payroll or estimated corporation excise or income tax payments by EFT, you may do so. Once registered as a voluntary participant, you will be subject to the same rules established for mandatory participants.
4. What methods are available for making payments by EFT?
Oregon´s EFT program accepts EFT payments made using either ACH debit or ACH credit. We do not accept Fedwire transactions.
5. Can I make an EFT payment over the Internet?
Yes. You can initiate ACH debit payments through our WebPay system at https://OregonEFT.net. Your financial institution also may have an Internet application which can be used to initiate ACH credit payments.
6. What is the difference between ACH debit and ACH credit?
The difference between ACH debit and ACH credit is the way the transaction is initiated.
  • An ACH debit transaction is initiated by notifying the state using either our TelePay or WebPay systems. The state debits your account. The state does not charge for ACH debit transactions.
  • An ACH credit transaction is initiated through your financial institution, which transmits the funds to the state´s account. The state does not charge for ACH credit transactions. However, your financial institution may charge various fees for initiating ACH credit transactions.
7. What does ACH mean?
ACH stands for Automated Clearing House. ACH is the financial network run by the Federal Reserve that acts as a clearing house for electronic debit and credit transactions. ACH is widely used by the financial community to transfer funds between accounts.
8. How do I sign up for EFT?
To register for the EFT program, select the method you prefer (ACH debit or ACH credit), complete the corresponding application form, and send the completed application form to the EFT Coordinator at the Oregon Department of Revenue.
9. How do I get an application for EFT?
• Download from our EFT Forms & Instructions page, or
• Call 503-947-2017, or
• Fax your request to 503-947-2016, or
• Write: Oregon Department of Revenue
             Information Processing Division
             EFT Coordinator
             P. O. Box 14725
             Salem OR 97309-5018
10. How long does it take to enroll in EFT?
ACH debit: It takes approximately 30 days to enroll in the ACH debit method. We will send you a confirmation letter once your application has been accepted and processed. This confirmation letter will include some very important information that is required to initiate ACH debit transactions.
 
ACH credit: It takes approximately one week to enroll in the ACH credit method. We will send you a confirmation letter once your application has been accepted and processed. This confirmation letter will include some information that your financial institution needs before it can initiate ACH credit transactions. You will have to work with your financial institution before initiating ACH credit transactions.
11. How can I verify my payment has been made?
ACH debit: You must record your confirmation number. Verify with your financial institution that the transfer is complete.
 
ACH credit: Your financial institution will issue a trace number. This number can be used to trace the transaction through the ACH network if the department does not receive it.
 
For either method--the department will accept as proof of payment a copy of your account statement or of other financial institution records that:
  • Identifies the Oregon Department of Revenue as the payee,
  • Shows a withdrawal from an account with a sufficient level of funds to cover the taxpayer´s deposit, and
  • Shows that the payment has not been reversed or returned.
If you need further assistance you may call the EFT Help/Message Line at 503-947-2017.
12. When can I expect my ACH debit tax payment to be debited from my financial institution?
Your financial institution should debit your account on the next banking day following the payment date that you entered for the transaction on either the WebPay or TelePay systems.
13. What fees are involved in using EFT?
There are no fees if you use the ACH debit method. If you use the ACH credit method, you must contact your financial institution to determine what ACH origination services they offer and their fees.
14. Can I withdraw from the EFT program?
The department may grant you a waiver from participation in the EFT program if:
  • You are not mandated to make payments by EFT, or
  • You receive notification that you meet the mandatory requirement to pay your combined payroll or estimated corporation excise or income taxes by EFT, but you disagree with the determination, or
  • You are a voluntary participant in the EFT program, but you find EFT does not meet your needs.
15. Once I´m signed up for EFT, how do I initiate changes?
You must complete and return a new Authorization Agreement and Application form to the department. You can obtain the appropriate form from our EFT Forms & Instructions page or by contacting the EFT Help/Message Line at 503-947-2017 and asking for a new application. All information requested on the form must be provided for any change you are making. Keeping this information up to date is very important. Certain critical information, such as your routing number and account number, must be correct in order to correctly initiate a transfer.
16. Is there someone I can call for help?
Yes.
  • EFT Help/Message Line at 503-947-2017
  • EFT Coordinator at 503-947-2018
  • EFT Technician at 503-947-2037
  • Fax 503-947-2016
17. I got a confirmation number when I initiated an ACH debit transaction. What is it for?
The confirmation number is issued each time a successful transaction is completed using either the TelePay or WebPay systems. This confirmation number is unique and identifies your transaction. It serves as proof of your payment and is required to cancel a payment made in error. Always record your confirmation number.
18. What if I make a mistake on my EFT payment?
ACH debit: The easiest way to correct a mistake is to cancel the payment through our WebPay system and initiate a new corrected transaction. In order to cancel a payment, the cancellation must be initiated at least one day prior to the payment date. If the payment has already posted, contact the EFT Help/Message Line at 503-947-2017 for assistance. Refunds will not be issued electronically.
 
ACH credit: It is harder to correct a mistake that is made while initiating an ACH credit transaction. First check with your financial institution to see if you can cancel a payment. If not, contact the EFT Help/Message Line at 503-947-2017 for assistance. Refunds will not be issued electronically.
19. What is a prenote?
A prenote is a zero dollar transaction used to verify the routing number and account number. The department initiates ACH debit prenotes. Your financial institution would initiate ACH credit prenotes.
20. For ACH credit, how do I get a copy of the record layout?
The basic layout for the Entry Detail Record and Addenda record layouts are included in the ACH Credit Program Guides for either the combined payroll tax or estimated corporation excise and income tax programs. You can obtain these program guides from our EFT Forms & Instructions page or by contacting the EFT Help/Message Line at 503-947-2017 and asking for a program guide.
21. My financial institution notified me they are changing my account number. What do I do?
You need to notify the department of the change by completing and returning a new Authorization Agreement and Application with the change box checked. You can obtain the appropriate form from our EFT Forms & Instructions page or by contacting the EFT Help/Message Line at 503-947-2017 and asking for a new application.
22. After I sign up for EFT, can I make a payment by check?
Yes, however we prefer that you continue making your payments by EFT.
23. What if I can´t access the WebPay or TelePay systems?
If you have trouble accessing either the WebPay or TelePay systems, call our EFT Help/Message Line at 503-947-2017.
24. Can I make my penalty and interest payment by EFT?
No, the EFT program cannot be used to make penalty and interest payments.
25. Can I make my corporate extension payment by EFT?
No, the EFT program cannot be used to make your corporate extension payment. It is used to make your estimated corporation tax payments.
 
Make your Oregon EFT payments online at https://OregonEFT.net
 
For Federal EFTPS information visit EFTPS - Pay Taxes OnLine
 
Page updated: June 21, 2007

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