Ward v. Dept. of Rev.

• Court: Oregon Tax Court
• Decided: November 14, 2025
• Docket: TC-MD 250187N
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

IN THE OREGON TAX COURT MAGISTRATE DIVISION Income Tax

STEVEN D. WARD ) and CHRISTINE M. WARD, ) ) Plaintiffs, ) TC-MD 250187N ) v. ) ) DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, ) State of Oregon, ) ) Defendant. ) DECISION

This matter came before the court on the parties’ cross motions for summary judgment.1

The issue is whether, for the 2023 tax year, Plaintiffs may subtract a distribution from a

retirement plan that was contributed to and taxed while Plaintiffs were residents of Pennsylvania.

The parties submitted written briefing. This matter is now ready for the court’s decision.

I. STATEMENT OF FACTS

Plaintiff Steven Ward (Ward) was a resident of Pennsylvania until 2021. (Stip Facts at

1.) While employed in Pennsylvania, Ward contributed to his 401(k)-retirement plan and paid

applicable state taxes to Pennsylvania on his 401(k) contributions. (Id.) Ward subsequently

rolled his 401(k) into an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA). (Id.) Ward became a

resident of Oregon in 2023. (Id.)

In 2023, while an Oregon resident, Ward took a $1,000 distribution from his IRA. (Stip

Facts at 1; Ptfs’ Ex 2 at 1.) On their 2023 joint personal income tax return, Plaintiffs claimed a

subtraction for previously taxed employee retirement plan contributions for the distribution.

1 Defendant submitted a Motion for Summary Judgment on August 15, 2025, and Plaintiffs moved for summary judgment at the end of their Response to Motion for Summary Judgment, filed August 27, 2025.

DECISION TC-MD 250187N 1 (Stip Facts at 1; Def’s Ex A at 12.) Defendant sent Plaintiffs a Notice of Deficiency dated

March 22, 2024, disallowing Plaintiffs’ subtraction for previously taxed employee retirement

plan contributions. (Def’s Ex B at 1.) Plaintiffs administratively appealed Defendant’s Notice of

Deficiency and attended a conference with Defendant. (See Def’s Ex C.) By Conference

Decision Letter dated July 30, 2024, Defendant upheld the disallowance of the subtraction,

stating that Plaintiffs “did not establish that [they] paid tax to another state on contributions to a

traditional IRA, Keogh, or Simplified Employee Pension plan.” (Id.)

Plaintiffs then appealed to this court, seeking a refund for the “tax collected in error” due

to the disallowance of the subtraction for tax year 2023. (Compl at 1.) Defendant asserts that

“[d]istributions from the IRA do not qualify for a subtraction because the contributions were

made to a plan that was not described under ORS 316.159(2).” (Def’s Mot for Summ J at 1.)

II. ANALYSIS

The issue presented is whether, under ORS 316.159, Plaintiffs may claim a subtraction

from taxable income for an IRA distribution when the original contributions were made to a

401(k) plan later rolled into the IRA.2 Plaintiffs maintain they should be allowed to take a

subtraction for the distribution from their IRA because Ward’s contributions to the plan were

taxed while Plaintiffs resided in Pennsylvania, as required under ORS 316.159(1). (See Ptfs’

Resp to Def’s Mot for Summ J at 3.) Plaintiffs allege that, because Ward’s retirement

contributions were taxed in Pennsylvania, Defendant’s disallowance of the subtraction results in

double taxation. (Id.) Defendant maintains that Plaintiffs do not qualify for the subtraction

because the contributions were made to a 401(k) plan, which is not listed in ORS 316.159(2).

(Def’s Mot for Summ J at 1.)

2 The court’s references to the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) are to the 2021 edition.

DECISION TC-MD 250187N 2 The court grants a motion for summary judgment if all the documents on file “show that

there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to prevail as

a matter of law.” Tax Court Rule (TCR) 47 C.3 “No genuine issue as to a material fact exists if,

based upon the record before the court viewed in a manner most favorable to the adverse party,

no objectively reasonable juror could return a verdict for the adverse party * * *.” Id.

A. Overview of ORS 316.159; Oregon Subtraction for Retirement Plan Distribution

Oregon defines taxable income by reference to federal taxable income, subject to certain

modifications, additions, and subtractions. See ORS 316.048. One such subtraction provided to

a resident is for certain retirement plan or trust distributions received from previously taxed

contributions made during a period of nonresidency. See ORS 316.159. “The purpose of ORS

316.159 is to prevent double taxation (e.g., taxing the contribution to the IRA and taxing the

distribution).” Leaf v. Dept. of Rev., 15 OTR 53, 55-56 (1999); see also ORS 316.159(1)(a)

(listing conditions to ensure that no tax benefit was previously allowed by another state).

ORS 316.159(2) lists qualifying retirement plans and trusts from which distributions are

eligible for subtraction. The list includes IRAs but not 401(k) plans. Id. This court has

disallowed the subtraction where the distribution was from a plan other than one listed in ORS

316.159(2), even if the contributions were previously taxed. See Glick v. Dept. of Rev., 13 OTR

288 (1995) (denying subtraction for distribution from 403(b) plan because it was not listed in the

statute);4 see also Fisher v. Dept. of Rev., TC-MD 230472N, 2024 WL 3572358 (Or Tax M Div,

Jul 29, 2024) (reaching the same conclusion with respect to a Massachusetts plan described as

“401A annuity”). Defendant relies on these cases to support its disallowance of Plaintiffs’

3 TCR 47 is made applicable by Tax Court Rule-Magistrate Division (TCR-MD) 13 B, which provides that “[t]he court may apply TCR 47 to motions for summary judgement, to the extent relevant.” 4 ORS 316.159(2) now includes IRC section 403(b) plans.

DECISION TC-MD 250187N 3 subtraction. (Def’s Mot for Summ J at 1.) Yet both cases concerned distributions from a non-

qualifying plan, whereas Plaintiffs took a distribution from a qualifying plan – namely, an IRA.

Neither Glick nor Fisher resolves the issue here.

Plaintiffs argue that this matter more closely resembles Smith v. Department of Revenue,

TC-MD 010098F, 2001 WL 776294 (Or Tax M Div, June 18, 2001), which concerned a

subtraction for a distribution from an IRA that had been rolled over from a 401(k) to which the

taxpayer made contributions while residing in another state. (See Ptfs’ Resp to Def’s Mot for

Summ J at 5.) Plaintiffs infer that the department “had no concerns about contributions to a

401(k) plan that were rolled over to an IRA” because “[t]he sole issue” before the court was

whether the contributions had been taxed. (See id.) Whether or not Plaintiffs correctly infer the

department’s position, the court in Smith did not decide whether the taxpayer’s contributions to a

401(k) plan that later rolled over into an IRA presented a problem under ORS 316.159(2).

Instead, the court decided the case based on the lack of double taxation. Id. at *1, citing Leaf, 15

OTR at 54, 56. The Smith taxpayer’s 401(k) contributions were not taxed while the taxpayer was

a resident of Nevada, and therefore his distributions taken while an Oregon resident did not

qualify for subtraction under ORS 316.159. Id. Although Smith contains some similar facts with

a 401(k) rolled into an IRA, it does not resolve the issue presented in this case.

Having reviewed cases interpreting ORS 316.159, the court finds none addressing the

specific question presented here: namely, whether contributions must be made to one of the

enumerated plans listed under ORS 316.159(2) for the subtraction to apply, or if this subsection

of the statute only restricts sources of distributions.

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DECISION TC-MD 250187N 4 B. Whether ORS 316.159(2) Applies to Plan Contributions

When the court is confronted with a statutory interpretation issue of first impression, it

will apply the analytical framework set out in State v. Gaines, 346 Or 160, 206 P3d 1042 (2009),

considering the text, context, and any relevant legislative history to ascertain legislative intent.

“In the construction of a statute, the office of the judge is simply to ascertain and declare what is,

in terms or in substance, contained therein, not to insert what has been omitted, or to omit what

has been inserted[.]” ORS 174.010.

1. Text of ORS 316.159

ORS 316.159(2) lists the plans and trusts described in the statute, including IRAs.

However, this subsection references neither distributions nor contributions and must be read

together with subsection (1) to understand its significance and meaning. ORS 316.159(1)(a)

states “there shall be subtracted from federal taxable income of a resident individual the

distributions received by the individual from a plan or trust described under subsection (2) of

this section * * *.” (Emphasis added.) As noted above and agreed upon by the parties,

subsection (2) includes “individual retirement account[s] described in section 408 of the Internal

Revenue Code[.]” ORS 316.159(2)(a). Reading subsections (1) and (2) together, a distribution

from an IRA qualifies for a subtraction.

The plain wording of the statute supports Plaintiffs’ position because it contains no

reference to contributions made to a plan listed in subsection (2). Rather, the statute requires a

distribution from a qualifying plan listed in subsection (2), as occurred here. Defendant’s

interpretation of the statute requires the court to insert words that have been omitted. To credit

Defendant’s interpretation would require the court to impermissibly create a new requirement

that a subtraction is allowed only if “contributions” were made to a plan listed in subsection (2).

DECISION TC-MD 250187N 5 The court next considers whether context creates that requirement.

2. Context of ORS 316.159

ORS 316.159 places constraints on contributions in subsections (1)(a) and (3). Under

subsection (1)(a), contributions: (A) must have been made in a tax period during which the

individual was a nonresident, and (B) must have been made in a tax period for which no

deduction, exclusion or exemption was allowed or allowable by the resident state. See ORS

316.159(1)(a)(A) and (B). Subtractions are further disallowed for contributions made when the

taxpayer was a nonresident required to file an Oregon return if a deduction or exclusion was

allowable, or for which the taxpayer was allowed a credit for taxes paid another state. See ORS

316.159(3). Those restrictions on contributions appear aimed at ensuring the taxpayer was taxed

on the contribution.

ORS 316.159(4) further limits the subtraction. It states, “[a] subtraction shall not be

allowed under this section for interest or other income arising from investment of contributions

made to a plan or trust described in subsection (2) of this section.” Subsection (4) creates a link

between contributions and the plans listed in subsection (2). However, the purpose of subsection

(4) appears to be to limit the subtraction to recovery of plan contributions and disallow a

subtraction for income or investment income. Subsection (4) does not, by its terms, restrict the

subtraction to recovery of contributions made to a plan listed in subsection (2).

In sum, certain subsections of ORS 316.159 impose requirements on contributions for a

taxpayer to claim the subtraction, but none require that contributions be made to a plan listed in

subsection (2). The context makes clear that legislators were aware of the distinction between

“distributions” and “contributions.” The legislature could have stated that “contributions” must

have been made to a qualifying plan listed under subsection (2), but it did not. The court will

DECISION TC-MD 250187N 6 treat each term as distinct and operative when explicitly used within the text of the statute. See

ORS 174.010 (requiring the court to give effect to all provisions and particulars of a statute).

3. Legislative history of ORS 316.159

The court is not aware of any legislative history that is helpful in this case. For the

reasons discussed above, the text and context of ORS 316.159 support Plaintiffs’ claim of a

subtraction for the 2023 tax year.

C. Whether OAR 150-316-0230 Imposes Additional Requirements on Contributions

In addition to the statute, Defendant cites OAR 150-316-0230(1)(a) in support of its

assertion that contributions must have been made to a plan described in ORS 316.159(2).5 (See

Def’s Mot at 1.) Specifically, Defendant quotes the following text from the rule: “For tax years

beginning on or after January 1, 1991, Oregon will allow resident taxpayers a subtraction for

distributions from an individual retirement account, Keogh plan or Simplified Employee Pension

plan for the contributions to the plan that have already been taxed by another state.” OAR 150-

316-0230(1)(a). ORS 316.159(6) permits Defendant to “adopt rules requiring substantiation of

the contributions and tax treatment upon which the subtraction under this section is based” and

Defendant promulgated the rule to implement ORS 316.159. The question becomes whether the

rule imposes an additional requirement on contributions that is not found in the statute.6

“In construing an administrative rule, the court applies the same analytical framework

that applies to the construction of statutes.” Dept. of Rev. v. Alaska Airlines, 25 OTR 91, 101

(2022). The court considers the text, context, and any relevant adoption history to determine the

5 The court’s references to the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) are to the 2023 edition. 6 To the extent the rule imposes an additional requirement not found in statute, the next question would be whether the requirement conflicts with the statute. See Pacificorp v. Dept. of Rev., 374 Or 189, 209-210 (2025) (an administrative rule is invalid as applied if it truly conflicts with relevant constitutional and statutory definitions).

DECISION TC-MD 250187N 7 agency’s intent. Id. The text and context of OAR 150-316-0230 suggest that its purpose is to

restate provisions of the statute and provide examples of how various statutory provisions apply.7

No provision in the rule indicates an intent to create additional requirements for plan

contributions beyond those stated in the statute.

The explanatory examples provided in OAR 150-316-0230 tend to support Plaintiffs’

position. Examples 2 and 3 both allow for the subtraction of distributions from qualified plans

even though contributions were made between 1980 and 1990, before the statute was codified

and became effective on January 1, 1991. That suggests that the relevant inquiry is not whether

a subtraction would have been allowed at the time of the contribution, but whether it is allowed

at the time of the distribution. The court concludes that OAR 150-316-0230 does not alter or add

to the requirements of ORS 316.159, but merely serves to illustrate the statute’s application.

III. CONCLUSION

Upon careful consideration, the court grants Plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment

and denies Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment. The plain wording of ORS 316.159(1)

requires only that the taxpayer received distributions from a plan listed in ORS 316.159(2), as

occurred in this case. The statutory context imposes numerous requirements on contributions but

does not require that contributions be made to a plan listed in subsection (2). Accordingly, the

court concludes that Plaintiffs are entitled to a subtraction for their retirement plan distribution

under ORS 316.159 for the 2023 tax year. Now, therefore,

7 Some phrasing in the rule appears to be nearly identical to the statutory phrasing. Compare ORS 316.159(1)(a)(A) (“The distributions consist of contributions made in a tax period during which the individual was a nonresident”) with OAR 150-316-0230(1)(a)(A) (“The distributions consist of contributions made during a period in which the taxpayer was a nonresident of Oregon”) (emphasis added).

DECISION TC-MD 250187N 8 IT IS THE DECISION OF THIS COURT that Plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment

is granted, and Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment is denied.

IT IS FURTHER DECIDED that Plaintiffs’ appeal is granted.

If you want to appeal this Decision, file a complaint in the Regular Division of the Oregon Tax Court, by mailing to: 1163 State Street, Salem, OR 97301-2563; or by hand delivery to: Fourth Floor, 1241 State Street, Salem, OR.

Your complaint must be submitted within 60 days after the date of this Decision or this Decision cannot be changed. TCR-MD 19 B.

This Decision was signed by Presiding Magistrate Allison R. Boomer and entered on November 14, 2025.

DECISION TC-MD 250187N 9