News Releases

News Releases - 2005

• 12/08/2005 Ohio Department of Taxation Offers Amnesty to Delinquent Taxpayers for a Limited Time - From January 1 to February 15, 2006, individuals and businesses can pay off previous tax debt with no penalty fee and one-half of the interest waived
  • EXCERPT: "In the New Year, many taxpayers owing delinquent taxes will be given the opportunity for a 'fresh start' with the Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT). From January 1 to February 15, 2006, the Department is offering '“amnesty' to certain taxpayers – individuals and businesses unknown to the state – in and outside of Ohio through the 2006 Ohio Tax Amnesty Program."
    
    
• 11/03/2005 CAT Registration Deadline is November 15: Businesses Can Go Online to Meet Requirement
  • EXCERPT: "Companies doing business in Ohio are being urged to register by the November 15 deadline for the new Commercial Activity Tax (CAT).  The tax on business is being phased in over five years while two other business taxes – the corporation franchise and tangible personal property taxes – are being phased out for most businesses."
    
    
• 10/07/2005 Ohio Onboard with New and Streamlined Sales Tax System - National project can benefit Ohio businesses and governments
  • EXCERPT: "Ohio joined with 17 other states this week in rolling out a new system for providing more uniform procedures for collecting sales/use taxes from out-of-state sellers (e.g. catalogue and Internet vendors."
    
    
• 9/27/2005 Tax Relief Offered to Victims of Gulf Coast Hurricanes
  • EXCERPT: "Ohio is offering two programs of tax relief for those affected by recent hurricanes in the Gulf Coast. Ohio Tax Commissioner William W. Wilkins said today that Ohio taxpayers who suffered damages from either Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita can get a 45-day extension of time to file and pay Ohio taxes.  In addition, Wilkins says hurricane victims who make qualified purchases in Ohio using special debit cards issued by either the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the Red Cross will not have to pay Ohio sales tax in most instances."
    
    
• 8/05/2005 Ohio Business Gateway: An Easy Way for Businesses to Meet Registration and Tax Obligations
  • EXCERPT: "Ohio business taxpayers can now obtain commercial activity tax, sales tax and withholding registrations and licenses within a matter of minutes by applying for them through the Ohio Business Gateway (OBG)."
    
    
• 6/30/2005 Ohio Reforms Tax System - Every major state tax is changing July 1
  • EXCERPT: "Nearly every Ohio taxpayer – both individual and business – will see some tax relief as a result of a sweeping tax reform package initiated and signed into law today by Ohio Gov. Bob Taft.  The tax changes are part of the biennial state budget bill that takes effect July 1."
    
    
• 4/28/2005 Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public Comment
  • EXCERPT: "A team of assessors arrives Saturday from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), to examine all aspects of the Ohio Department of Taxation Enforcement Division's policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Deputy Tax Commissioner Fred Nicely announced today. The public is invited to offer comments Sunday via a toll-free telephone line."
    
    
• 4/25/2005 ODT Enforcement Agents Make Biggest Seizure of Untaxed Cigars, Snuff and Other Tobacco Products in Department History
  • EXCERPT: "Recent investigations by Ohio Department of Taxation Enforcement agents resulted in the seizure of more than $1 million in untaxed cigars, snuff and other tobacco products in Toledo and led to a Cleveland man beginning a 30-month jail sentence in connection with a case involving more than $300,000 in unpaid tobacco taxes."
    
    
• 3/29/2005 Going Paperless:  Almost 70 Percent of Ohioans File Income Tax Returns Electronically
  • EXCERPT: "Wtih less than three weeks until the April 15 income tax filing deadline, most Ohio tax filers are embracing technology and going paperless.  Almost 70 percent of Ohio income tax returns so far have been filed electronically, prompting Ohio Tax Commissioner William W. Wilkins to encourage even greater numbers of taxpayers to choose the electronic option."
    
    
• 3/11/2005 Cigarette Enforcement Sweep Finds Cincinnati-area Nearly Spotless - Tax Enforcement Agents find only 3 minor infractions
  • EXCERPT: "Recent inspections by Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT) Enforcement agents of 75 cigarette and other tobacco products retail outlets in the Cincinnati area found that retailers are generally following Ohio law by only offering cigarettes for sale that display the proper Ohio cigarette tax stamp."
    
    
• 2/25/2005 Former Tax Commissioner Inducted Into Tax Hall of Fame
  • EXCERPT: "Former tax commissioner and tax attorney, Edgar L. Lindley is the newest inductee into the Ohio Tax Hall of Fame. "
    
    
• 1/27/2005 The Early Returns Are In: Ohio Taxpayers Flocking to Electronic Filing 'Paperless' returns surge; Tax Commissioner lauds savings
  • EXCERPT: "Ohio taxpayers, most eager to claim a tax refund, are filing their returns electronically at a record rate -- up to 39 percent this year from the same period last year. As of January 25th, 128,112 taxpayers had filed their state income tax return electronically, an increase of 49,855 from the same point last year. "