SALEM – Taxpayers now have a new, convenient option to pay taxes, the Oregon Department of Revenue announced Wednesday.

Taxpayers can electronically pay their personal income taxes directly from their checking or savings account, thanks to a partnership between the Oregon Revenue Department and U.S. Bank.

From the department’s Web site, people can instruct U.S. Bank to transfer money from a checking or savings account to the department. Residents don’t need to have a U.S. Bank account to do it.

“This new electronic payment option allows you to make tax payments from your home computer when it’s convenient for you,” said Cecily Martin, collections and filing enforcement manager. “And it’s free.”

People can pay taxes as far back as 10 years.

Residents may use the electronic payment process to:

? pay quarterly estimated personal income tax;

? pay personal income tax owed on original and amended returns;

? pay personal income tax “assessments” or “deficiencies,” as notified by the department; or

? set up a recurring payment for a personal income tax debt.

For more information, log on to (www.oregon.gov/DOR) and click “Electronic Payments.”