Tax Advocates Greet Last Minute Filers On Tax Day

April 15, 2009 OPB Oregon Public Broadcasting

By Pete Springer

Taxpayers who waited until Wednesday to mail off their forms were greeted by a variety of advocates at different Portland post offices.

OSPIRG held a rally at the University Station Post Office downtown.  The group was urging Congress to close offshore tax havens.

OSPIRG says American corporations use those to avoid paying a hundred billion dollars a year in federal taxes.

Small business owner Chris Apgar says this loophole forces businesses and individuals to pay more than their fair share in taxes.

Chris Apgar: “From my perspective, the taxation of all companies should be progressive and not shift that burden away from the large companies to the small businesses and the individuals.”

At the main post office in Northwest Portland, members of the Bus Project were handing out fliers explaining how Oregon taxes are actually spent.

Another group called for local governments to stop purchasing items like uniforms from so-called sweatshops.

Around the Northwest, rallies are also being sponsored by activists who believe Americans are taxed too much.