Joe Uecker

State Representative

01/11/06

Tax Amnesty Program

Now in the throws of the New Year, I find myself contemplating what is in store for us in Columbus this year. The legislature made great headway in terms of economic stimulus by the tax reform bill as well as the reduction of the state personal income tax, the largest personal income tax cut in Ohio’s history.  I’m looking forward to working this year to continue that direction.  We meet back in session at the Statehouse this week and we even have a couple of marathon caucus meetings scheduled to review this year’s priorities and make any changes deemed necessary.

I am sure many of you received in the mail this weekend the same package I did, the Ohio income tax booklet.  On the topic of the personal income tax, we made many changes to the tax code many will find a good start.  The many changes to Ohio’s tax code enacted in the state budget were aimed to make Ohio’s tax code simpler. Because of the general complexity of the tax code, some Ohioans may have, in the past, inadvertently misrepresented their tax liability when filing their returns, or simply not filed at all. Recognizing this, the members of the legislature included in the budget bill a period of tax amnesty to encourage Ohioans to make certain their tax records are current and in order as we start the new year.

The Ohio Department of Taxation will offer the Tax Amnesty Program from January 1 to February 15, allowing Ohioans to pay back taxes without penalty. Additionally, the program reduces any outstanding interest charges by 50 percent. Most types of state tax are addressed by the program, including the corporate franchise tax, employer/school district withholding tax, individual income tax, school district income tax, pass-through entity tax, sales/use tax and personal property tax. Taxpayers must have had tax liability due to the State of Ohio on May 1, 2005 and if the department has issued a bill, assessment or audit for a specific liability, then that liability is ineligible for the program. In addition to benefiting taxpayers, the program is expected to generate at least $10 million for the state in unreported or under-reported tax liabilities.

After the February 15 deadline, the Ohio Department of Taxation will once again increase efforts to uncover delinquency. The Ohio Department of Taxation recently allocated more resources for finding and recovering delinquent taxes and increased communication between states and also between states and the IRS. This amnesty period is an opportunity to address any tax issues without extraneous fees and attention.

To learn more about the Ohio Tax Amnesty Program call the Ohio Department of Taxation at 1-800-204-3211, or visit their Web site at www.taxamnestyohio.com. If you would like to contact me about tax amnesty or any other state-related matter, give me a call or drop me an email.

Here’s to a safe and exciting 2006.

Joe Uecker

State Representative

Ohio’s 66 District

Representing Batavia, Goshen, Miami and Union Townships as well as the Cities of Loveland and Milford and the Villages of Batavia and Amelia.(614) 466-8134

District Office (513)-248-2565

Website: www.JoeUecker.com

Email: Joe@JoeUecker.com