News Release
August 10, 2001 - Columbus, Ohio
- Ohio Tax Amnesty Program Applications
Available
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Gov.
Bob Taft today urged Ohioans who are behind on their taxes to
plan now to take advantage of the state’s first ever Tax
Amnesty Program. Ohio Tax Amnesty Program applications will
be available beginning Friday, Aug. 10. The program begins
Oct. 15, 2001.
Taxes for which amnesty is being offered are: personal and
school district income, sales and use, employer and school
district withholding, pass-through entity, corporate
franchise, public utility excise and personal property tax.
Amnesty is available only for taxpayers whose tax liabilities
are unknown to the Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT)."The
amnesty program is a chance for people who may behind on
their taxes to fully pay them," Taft said. "It allows people
to pay only half the amount of interest due on the tax and
without penalty. Most Ohioans just want to pay their fair
share, and this program will make it easier for them to do
so."Ohio Tax Commissioner Thomas M. Zaino projects the tax
amnesty program will bring in about $17 million initially and
an additional $5 million annually from newly enrolled
taxpayers. Many other states have successfully offered tax
amnesty programs, and the ODT predicts Ohio will have a
successful program as well.Zaino said while applications
cannot be legally accepted until Oct. 15, ODT is making the
applications available sooner as a convenience to taxpayers.
Taxation is publicizing its Tax Amnesty Program well in
advance of its official kick-off to optimize public awareness
of the program.
"Many states have had tax amnesty programs, and one of the
common complaints was people didn’t hear about the program
until it was over," Zaino said. "So, we are starting our
informational campaign now."
Ohio Tax Amnesty
8/10/01
Ohio’s Tax Amnesty Program is:For people who apply between
October 15, 2001 and January 15, 2002.For taxpayers who come
forward and pay certain previously unpaid state taxes owed on
or before May 1, 2001.Again, only for taxpayers with
tax liabilities unknown to the Ohio Department of Taxation
(ODT). If the department has issued a bill, assessment or
audit for a specific liability, then that liability is
ineligible for the program.Tax Amnesty applications and
information can be obtained from any ODT Taxpayer Service
Center, the department’s booth at the Ohio State Fair,
downloaded from the department’s web site at: http://tax.ohio.gov/, or by calling
1-888-405-4039 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday.Completed applications, returns and payment of the tax
and interest owed should be mailed to: Ohio Department of
Taxation, PO Box 2619, Columbus, Ohio 43216-2619. Returns
mailed to another address or without an application may
result in denial of amnesty.
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Contact: Mary Anne Sharkey, Governor’s Office, (614)
644-0957
OR
Gary Gudmundson, Communications Director, Ohio Department of
Taxation at (614) 644-6903