PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland City Council voted Wednesday to approve reforms to the Arts Tax, hiking rates for most residents while exempting those with lower income.
The annual tax will increase from $35 to $50 for single filers, and to $100 for joint filers. Portland residents earning less than $20,000 individually, or less than $40,000 jointly, will not have to pay. The changes are expected to go into effect beginning the 2027 tax year. Under the previous rules, people making more than $1,000 annually in gross income were required to file or pay the tax.
With the amendments, about 44% of Portland residents who currently pay the arts tax will be exempt, according to city council…