taxes
Ohio lawmakers consider bill simplifying how businesses calculate taxes for remote workers
Ohio lawmakers are considering a measure that could allow business owners to shift their tax burden for remote workers. Proponents of the idea argue it’s a way to simplify tax filing. But it could also make it easier for businesses to reduce their tax burden. State law allows municipalities to levy income taxes on businesses […]
Should hybrid cars pay for roads?
The Ohio House of Representatives recently passed a two-year, $12.6 billion transportation budget. The budget included a number of different provisions, including billions of dollars for pavement and bridges, dollars allocated specifically for economic development projects, and $3 billion for Cincinnati’s Brent Spence Bridge. One small provision of the bill, however, makes a tweak to […]
DeWine child tax deduction leaves poor families out
At his “state of the state” address on Tuesday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine put forth a unique proposal to the Ohio legislature — to enact a $2,500 per child state tax deduction. When I first saw this, I was excited! The 2021 federal child tax credit expansion lifted over 2 million children out of poverty. […]
DeWine hints at possible veto after tobacco measure picks up local preemption language
Among the flurry of legislation in the Ohio General Assembly’s marathon final session was a measure restricting local governments’ ability to regulate tobacco. The move comes days after Columbus approved an ordinance banning flavored tobacco. Gov. Mike DeWine has signaled he has reservations with the bill. The initial bill, offered by Reps. Jon Cross, R-Kenton, […]
County officials pushing for more tax abatement reporting
State lawmakers are considering legislation that would collect statewide information about property tax exemptions, and add that data to the list of tax breaks reviewed by state officials every other year. The information itself already exists — county auditors deliver it to the Ohio Department of Taxation regularly. But backers believe the move could shine […]
State budget blocks cities from taxing grocery bags
A budget proposal passed by both chambers of the legislature on Monday would prohibit cities from applying taxes to single-use, plastic grocery bags. The budget, passed Monday night by both the House and Senate, makes permanent a temporary ban on cities from applying the taxes, which are designed to cut down on the 14.5 million […]
Budget measure would undermine affordable housing for hundreds of thousands in Ohio, critics say
Scores of Ohio business and social service organizations are voicing opposition to a move by Senate President Matt Huffman to raise taxes on housing for the state’s poor. A spokesman for Huffman didn’t respond to a request for comment. But a measure that Huffman placed in the state budget would require county auditors to value […]
Ohio House passes state budget; here’s what to know
Ohio took a step closer toward a constitutional school funding model with the passage Wednesday of a two-year operating budget in the Ohio House of Representatives, a sweeping bill that also proposes an across-the-board income tax cut, a broadband internet expansion plan and more spending to aid businesses struggling from the pandemic. The House passed […]
House bill would ‘null’ and ‘void’ gun laws, court rulings that lawmakers oppose
Fourteen House Republicans signed onto legislation that would allow the state of Ohio to nix federal gun laws and court rulings that legislators deem to violate of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. House Bill 62 would declare any federal law, executive order, administrative action, or court ruling to be “null, void, and of […]
GOP lawmakers seek to repeal tax on Ohio businesses
Some Republican lawmakers want to do away with an Ohio business tax that helps to fund state services. A new bill proposes to repeal Ohio’s “commercial activity tax” (CAT for short) by phasing it out over the next five years. This tax is levied on businesses with over $150,000 in yearly taxable gross receipts — […]
As state budget shortfall looms, Senate GOP seeks to tie down income tax rates
Facing a $1 billion coronavirus-shaped budget hole, an Ohio Senate committee passed a bill Tuesday to amend the state constitution to require a supermajority of lawmakers to agree on an income tax increase instead of a simple majority. Senate Joint Resolution 3, which itself would require supermajority votes in the House (66 of 99) and […]
Tax amnesty program passes Ohio House
A bill to give temporary tax amnesty to delinquent payers was approved unanimously by the Ohio House Wednesday The amnesty program seeks to boost state revenues during the pandemic with tax payments that may not ordinarily be paid without an incentive. State Rep. Thomas West, D-Canton, sponsor of House Bill 609, said it is a […]