Ohio House Bill 33 Explained
Jul 17, 2023
Ohioans can expect significant changes to state tax laws next year thanks to Ohio House Bill 33. The newly passed piece of legislature, signed by Governor Mike DeWine on July 3, 2023, establishes state operating appropriations for fiscal years 2024-2025. This comprehensive legislation also brings several tax advantages specifically designed to benefit Ohio business owners. Taxpayers can expect changes to personal income tax, Commercial Activity Tax, Pass-Through Entity Tax Credits, and Municipal tax.
Personal Income Tax Reductions
The first significant change introduced by House Bill 33 is a reduction in personal income tax rates. The new law establishes two tax brackets based on income levels. If you earn over $26,050, you’ll pay a marginal tax rate of 2.75%. For individuals with income over $100,000, the rate increases slightly to 3.5%. Those earning $26,050 or less will be exempt from paying any income taxes to the state of Ohio.
Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) Exemption
House Bill 33 also brings changes to the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT), affecting businesses in Ohio. CAT is determined based off a business’s taxable gross receipts. The new law significantly increases the annual exemption threshold for businesses. Previously, businesses with taxable gross receipts under $150,000 were exempt from paying CAT. However, under the new law, the exemption amount rises to $3 million for the 2024 tax year and further increases to $6 million starting in 2025. This means that a large amount of Ohio-based businesses will no longer have to pay CAT.
Pass-Through Entity (PTE) Tax Credit
Another important change under House Bill 33 is the introduction of a tax credit for Ohio residents subject to double taxation on pass-through entity (PTE) income. Pass-through entities include businesses like partnerships, S corporations, and limited liability companies (LLCs). Often, individuals earning income from such entities face double taxation, meaning they pay taxes at both the entity level and the individual level. The new law allows Ohio residents to claim a credit on their individual tax returns for PTE taxes paid to other states, helping alleviate the burden of double taxation.
Municipal Tax Changes
Finally, House Bill 33 will enact several changes to municipal taxes in Ohio. Municipal taxes are taxes imposed by local governments, such as cities and towns. The new law reduces fees and penalties for late filing of municipal income tax returns, making it more affordable for taxpayers to comply with local tax obligations. Additionally, the bill extends the due date for filing municipal net profits tax returns from October 15th to November 15th, giving individuals and businesses more time to prepare their tax returns.
Furthermore, House Bill 33 exempts individuals under the age of 18 from Ohio municipal income tax. This means that high school students who have part-time jobs or earn income from other sources will not have to pay municipal income tax in Ohio.
Other Changes
The newly passed bill includes numerous other provisions aimed at providing tax relief for both business and individuals. From baby wipes and cribs, to traffic control services often used by construction contractors, taxpayers can expect additions to the state’s list of tax-exempt goods and services. Businesses with remote or hybrid employees in Ohio can also expect a new option for calculating their municipal net profits tax.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the passage of Ohio House Bill 33 introduces several significant changes to the state’s tax landscape. William Vaughan Company’s tax team will continue to monitor changes resulting from House Bill 33 along with other state and federal tax updates. For both businesses and individuals, understanding tax law is crucial when it comes to making informed financial decisions. Don’t leave your finances up to chance, connect with us today to understand how House Bill 33 may effect your specific situation.
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wvco.com
Categories: Tax Compliance, Tax Planning
Scam Alert: Distraint Warrant Scam
Jul 05, 2023
William Vaughan Company was recently made aware of a highly concerning scam surfacing in Lucas County. Many local businesses have received fraudulent “Distraint Warrants” in the mail, sent by a fictitious entity called the “Tax Resolution Unit.” While these letters seem to primarily target businesses, a handful of individuals have also received them. In the interest of our community and the individuals we serve, here are some important detail about this distraint warrant scam along with essential tips on safeguarding yourself against such fraudulent activities.
The Scam:
In this distrain warrant scam, individuals and businesses receive official-looking documents in the mail from the Lucas County “Tax Resolution Unit.” The document claims that a Distraint Warrant has been issued against the recipient due to unpaid tax debts. The scammers exploit fear and urgency, attempting to coerce victims into making immediate payments via telephone to a toll-free number. However, it’s crucial to note that Lucas County does not have a Tax Resolution Unit or an office of Public Judgment Records.
How to Protect Yourself:
Verify the source: Take a moment to verify the authenticity of any suspicious document you receive. Contact the relevant county offices or authorities to confirm the legitimacy of the warrant or notification. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team if you need assistance in this regard.
Exercise caution: Be wary of unexpected or unsolicited communications regarding taxes or debts. Genuine organizations typically communicate through official channels and offer multiple opportunities to resolve any issues. Be skeptical of sudden demands for payment or urgent actions.
Guard your personal information: Under no circumstances should you share sensitive personal or financial information, such as social security numbers, bank account details, or credit card numbers, in response to such requests. Legitimate authorities, like the IRS, will not ask for this information via email or phone. Nor will the IRS take payment by cashier’s check, in the form of gift cards, or wire transfer.
Report the scam: If you receive a suspicious document or believe you have encountered a scam, promptly report it to the relevant authorities. You can report it to the IRS by either calling 1-800-366-4484 or visiting the US Treasury website. Consider calling your local police so it is aware of the scam as often times communities are targeted all at once. Finally, the Federal Trade Commission’s Report A Fraud site is shared with law enforcement across the country. Your report can help bring attention to the scam and prevent others from falling victim.
Spread awareness: Share this information with your friends, family, and colleagues to raise awareness about the scam. Utilize social media, local community groups, or any platform that can reach a wider audience. The more people are informed, the harder it becomes for scammers to succeed.
As trusted tax and business advisors, our clients’ financial well-being and security is our top priority. The “Distraint Warrant” scam targeting Lucas County residents and businesses is an unfortunate reminder of the dangers posed by fraudulent activities. However, by staying vigilant, verifying sources, and reporting suspicious incidents, we can collectively protect ourselves and our community from falling victim to these scams. If you have any concerns or require assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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wvco.com
Categories: Fraud & Forensics, Tax Compliance
Exploring Opportunity In The Ohio Regional 166 Direct Loan Program
Jun 22, 2023
The Ohio Regional 166 Direct Loan Program is a state-funded loan pool that provides low-interest loan financing assistance to businesses for the allowable costs of eligible projects within the state to promote economic development, business expansion, and job creation.
Program details:
- The program may finance up to 40% of an eligible project, with loans up to $1,000,000
- A minimum of 10% equity contribution is required from the borrower in the eligible project, however, a greater equity contribution may be required based on due diligence. The remaining eligible project shall be funded by the borrower either directly or indirectly through third-party investors and/or private lenders.
- Interest rates shall be fixed at or below local market rates at the time the loan is presented to Development for approval.
How can I use the loan?
- Land and/or building purchases – if the project involves the purchase of an existing building, the business must occupy at least 51 percent of the premises;
- Machinery & equipment purchases;
- Building construction and/or renovation costs – in case of construction, the business must occupy at least 60 percent of the premises;
- Long-term leasehold improvements;
- Ongoing fixed asset purchases; and
- Capitalizable costs directly related to a fixed-asset purchase.
Are there any associated costs?
Yes. There is a commitment fee equal to 1.25% % of the loan amount capped at $12,500 due to proceed with the loan closing and loan documentation process. Also, the annual servicing fee which is equal to 0.25% of the outstanding principal amount of the loan is pro-rated and payable monthly
Who can apply?
This program has been leveraged primarily by the following types of for-profit businesses:
- Manufacturing & Distribution
- Research & Development
- Owner-occupied commercial real estate
Next steps
Applications are accepted by the Program Administrators who perform preliminary investigations into the financing needs and the business seeking funding. Locally, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority serves as a Program Administrator. To inquire about the program, connect with Jason Bartschy, Director of Financing Programs at jbartschy@toledoport.org
For a complete list of program administrators, please visit the Ohio Department of Development website here.
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wvco.com
Categories: Manufacturing & Distribution, Other Resources
End of July Brings Filing Deadline for Employee Tax Retention Credit (ERTC).
Jun 15, 2023
Don’t leave money on the table!
The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is a provision established under the CARES Act which has been enhanced by additional legislation and could provide an immense amount of capital to employers. However, time is running out for business owners to claim what could amount to thousands of dollars in tax refunds.
The ERTC is a refundable tax credit employers can claim against certain quarterly employment taxes, equal to a percentage of qualified wages and health insurance costs paid after March 12, 2020, and before September 30, 2021. For 2020, the credit is 50% of qualified payments, up to $10,000 per employee. Simply put, an eligible business has the potential to request refunds of up to $5,000 per employee for 2020. The benefits are even greater in 2021.
But that means in order to claim the credit for those last three quarters of 2020, business owners need to act now. Tax payers have up to three years to amend their quarterly returns. By amending a return, business owners may unlock substantial benefits to support their business’s growth.
Business Eligibility
For most businesses, eligibility for ERTC for fiscal year 2020 is determined by meeting one of two tests:
- Test 1: A measure of decline in gross receipts. If an employer experiences a significant decline in gross receipts for any calendar quarter, as compared to the same calendar quarter in 2019, they will be eligible for the credit in that quarter. For 2020, this decline is defined as gross receipts that are less than 50% of gross receipts for the same quarter in 2019, and for 2021, this decline is gross receipts being less than 80% of gross receipts for the same quarter in 2019.
- Test 2: A full or partial suspension of operations. If an employer was subject to any full or partial suspension of operations because of government orders related to COVID-19 they could be eligible. These orders could be Federal, State, county, and/or municipality. Even if the business was deemed essential and was not directly affected by such orders, there still could be avenues to be eligible for the credit.
Filing Deadline
Despite the expiration of the tax credit in September 2021, eligible businesses, companies, and employers have the opportunity to submit documentation and retrospectively obtain reimbursements for the Employee Retention Credit in 2023. In order to accomplish this, business owners are required to complete IRS Form 941-X, which serves as a means to rectify any errors in their initially submitted Form 941. However, it is important to note that this process is only applicable within a three-year timeframe from the original filing of their payroll tax returns.
With the number of ERTC scams on the rise, WVC always recommends that businesses consult with their trusted tax professional to ensure eligibility, understand the specific requirements, and navigate the amendment process successfully. Connect with William Vaughan Company’s ERTC team today to see if your business meets the eligibility requirements – by acting now, you just may position your businesses for a brighter financial future.
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Mike Hanf, CPA, CGMA
Tax Partner, ERTC Practice Leader
wvco.com
Categories: Other Resources, Tax Planning
Ohio’s TechCred Program
Mar 19, 2023
Ohio’s TechCred program is a state-backed initiative designed to fuel growth and innovation in the state’s technology industry. Launched in 2019, the program helps Ohioans earn industry-recognized credentials that align with the skills that businesses need. The program is designed to address the skills gap in Ohio’s workforce by upskilling employees and preparing them for the jobs of the future.
Ohio’s TechCred Program gives employers the chance to upskill current and future employees. Employers who submit successful applications will be reimbursed up to $2,000 per credential earned and allows for up to $30,000 per employer, per funding round. Reimbursable costs include those related to tuition, lab fees, manuals, textbooks, and certification fees.
How does the program work?
After determining which new credentials will be most beneficial to the business, the employer must partner with an eligible provider, such as a university or tech school, that offers the appropriate training. Once a provider is selected, the employer is ready to apply for the TechCred program at the Ohio.gov website. Employers must file reimbursement applications within six weeks of each employee completing a credential. For a full list of qualifying credentials and providers, click here.
Who is eligible?
Any Ohio registered employer that employs Ohio resident W-2 employees is eligible to apply. Employers of all sizes and in all industries are encouraged to apply. Only one application will be accepted per employer per application period.
To learn more about Ohio’s TechCred program, visit techcred.ohio.gov or download their program guidelines here.
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wvco.com | 419.891.1040
Categories: Tax Compliance