News Release
February 1, 2007 -
Ohio’s Income Tax ‘News’:
Filing Deadline-Forms-Rates-Chance to File
Online
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The 2007 income tax filing
season is bringing a number of ‘news’ to taxpayers including
a new deadline for filing tax; new, lower income tax rates;
new, easier-to-use (but longer) income tax forms; and a new
opportunity to join the millions of Ohioans who file their
tax return online.
The good news for taxpayers includes a change in the deadline
for filing Ohio tax returns. It has been pushed back one day
to Tuesday, April 17th from the original April 16 deadline.
This change was made to bring Ohio in line with a similar
change of filing deadline made by the IRS. The IRS last week
announced the new deadline because Washington, D.C. observes
an official holiday, Emancipation Day, on April 16th.
More good news for taxpayers is the second round of
4.2-percent cuts in the income tax rates. Tax tables in the
instruction book reflect this latest reduction, which is one
of five reductions being phased in over five years for a
total reduction of 21 percent.
Perhaps most noticeable this year, taxpayers are finding that
the IT-1040 form has expanded from two to four pages, while
the IT-1040 EZ form has expanded from one to two pages.
Ohio’s income tax forms are longer so Department of
Taxation’s (ODT) scanners can process the forms more
efficiently. The extra length resulted from adding individual
boxes for each letter or number entered. The department
expects to scan nearly all paper income tax forms this year
which will eliminate many of the manual processes used in the
past and save taxpayer dollars.
In addition to the new look, this year’s income tax forms
feature a host of other changes, including a $50 increase in
the personal exemption from $1,350 to $1,400 and a new line
for deducting certain Ohio National Guard reimbursements and
benefits.
A benefit to all taxpayers, one that significantly reduces
the cost of processing returns, is available on the ODT Web
site (tax.ohio.gov) and it is free to use.
Rather than paying to file a state return electronically, Tax
Commissioner Richard Levin is urging taxpayers to use Ohio
I-File to send in their return online. Levin says the I-File
advantages are many, particularly for those getting money
back “By filing on-line and choosing direct deposit, those
with refunds can expect them back in about seven business
days,” he said. Levin said those who owe additional tax can
file their return and choose to pay the tax due at a later
day, anytime up till April 17th.
Last year, 56 percent of Ohio’s income tax filers filed their
returns electronically and that number is expected to grow
again this year.
Taxpayers with questions can call ODT’s taxpayer service line
at 1-800-282-1780, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
# # #
(For additional information, contact Gary Gudmundson,
Communications Director, at (614) 644-6903 or Mike McKinney,
Public Information Officer, at 614-466-5461.)