December 30, 2004 – Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Tax Commissioner William W. Wilkins said today Department of Taxation (ODT) agents will be making allowances for business taxpayers that file returns on line but couldn’t because of power outages. Most of those taxpayers had sales tax returns due on December 23rd, the day the snow and ice storm hit many areas in Ohio.

Wilkins says if taxpayers couldn’t file because the electricity was out, ODT agents will waive late-filing penalties and still allow discounts for timely filing. Taxpayers will still be responsible for paying any interest due on late payments. Wilkins added that, if they haven’t already, taxpayers should file their returns and taxes as soon as they can.

The payments that are delayed are ones that normally would be made through the Ohio Business Gateway, the system developed by the State of Ohio to allow for the electronic filing and payment of several business taxes, including sales tax.

Questions on the late filing of sales tax returns can be answered via e-mail through the Ohio Department of Taxation web site at tax.ohio.gov/ , or by calling the ODT assistance line for business taxpayers at 1-800-888-405-4039.

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(For more information contact Gary Gudmundson, ODT Communications Director, at 614-644-6903.)