Salem-area employers will have an opportunity to learn more about a new transit tax that could affect their business operations, during a public forum hosted by Cherriots later this month. The forum will take place on Thursday, July 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 1110 Commercial Street NE.
The Employer-Paid Payroll Transit Tax, which is scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2026, is designed to provide sustainable funding for Cherriots, the public transit system serving the Salem-Keizer area. The tax will be paid by employers based on their gross taxable payroll within the Cherriots District. Employees will not be directly taxed.
Cherriots leaders say the new revenue will help enhance transit service offerings and ensure the long-term viability of the region’s public transportation system.
Attendees at the July 31 forum will hear directly from Cherriots’ General Manager and Board of Directors, who will provide an overview of the tax structure, explain how it will be calculated, and answer questions from local business owners and community members.
Employers are encouraged to attend and prepare questions in advance. The tax amount will be determined by multiplying a business’s gross taxable payroll by the current transit tax rate, which can be found in the Oregon Quarterly Combined Tax Report (Form OQ).
To register for the forum or learn more about the tax, visit the Cherriots website at:
👉 cherriots.org/employertax
For additional questions, contact Cherriots directly at 503-588-2877 or email info@cherriots.org.
