Should I Cancel My Ohio CAT Account?
Sep 26, 2023
Commercial Activity Tax Changes Under Ohio House Bill 33
We recently covered the changes to Ohio’s tax codes that were enacted by Ohio House Bill 33 after it’s passage into law in July of 2023. The new law introduced several changes to state tax codes that could prove advantageous for Ohio business owners. One of the more significant changes to the tax law relates to how CAT is reported.
The CAT is calculated using a business’s taxable gross receipts. As a result of the passing bill, beginning January 1, 2024, the CAT annual minimum tax will be eliminated, and the exemption amounts for businesses will be significantly increased. Under the new law, the CAT rate of .26% will stay the same, but will now only affect taxpayers with gross receipts over $3 million in 2024, (that number will increase to $6 million in 2025).
Taxpayer Implications
Businesses currently reporting under $1 million in gross receipts, and that are predicted to have less than $3 million in gross receipts in 2024, should cancel their CAT account effective December 31, 2023, and file a final annual CAT return, due May 10, 2024. Once the final CAT return is filed, taxpayers with gross receipts under the exemption amount will no longer have to file an annual CAT return in subsequent years. Taxpayers that predict they will have annual gross receipts between $3 million and $6 million should file their final CAT return the following year, 2025. All remaining CAT payers that do not meet the exclusion amount must still file quarterly returns for tax periods after January 1, 2024.
If a taxpayer does not cancel their CAT account, they will still be required to file a CAT return until the account is canceled, even if nothing is due. Taxpayers may cancel their CAT account by visiting the CAT Cancel Account Transaction on the Ohio Department of Taxation’s Business Gateway (preferred method.) Alternatively, those wishing to cancel their CAT account can also complete and submit a “Business Account Update Form” available in the “Tax Forms” section of the Ohio Department of Taxation’s website.
If a business’s gross receipts happen to exceed the exclusion amount in subsequent periods, the taxpayer must reactivate their CAT account and resume filing returns and paying the Commercial Activity Tax at that time.
Conclusion
Ohio House Bill 33 has made several alterations to Ohio’s tax laws, with the regulations around Commercial Activity Tax being particularly affected. For more information on these changes, visit the official release from the Ohio Department of Taxation.
William Vaughan Company will continue to monitor the changes resulting from this bill as well as other state and federal tax bills.
Questions or concerns about how these changes apply to your specific CAT filings? Connect with us today to get a better understanding of these new developments and mitigate tax risks in your business.
Categories: Tax Compliance
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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Categories: Fraud & Forensics, Tax Compliance
Ohio Tax Update: State Offers Dollar-for-Dollar Tax Credit for Scholarship Fund Donations
Dec 14, 2022
Starting with the 2021 tax year, the state of Ohio began offering dollar-for-dollar tax credits to individuals who donate to an Ohio-certified scholarship granting organization, or SGO. Defined by the state, SGOs are organizations exempt from federal taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, that prioritize awarding academic scholarships for low-income students to attend primary and secondary schools (K-12), and that receive certification from the Office of the Ohio Attorney General.
Individuals that donate to an SGO can expect to receive a tax credit equal to 100 percent of their contribution (up to $750,) while married couples could receive up to a $1,500 credit. In addition to claiming the state tax credit, eligible charitable contributions can also be claimed on federal income tax returns if the taxpayer opts to itemize their deductions.
Currently, there are 25 certified SGOs in the state of Ohio, all of which are listed on the Ohio Attorney General’s website.
“This is a very easy credit for Ohio taxpayers to take advantage of,” says William Vaughan Company Tax Partner, Sandi Towns. “Those who have donated to Ohio-certified SGOs in 2022 need simply include their proof of donation letter(s) with other tax documents given to their accountants.”
Says Towns, “William Vaughan Company’s tax team will continue to monitor this and other tax credit updates, however I urge anyone wishing to take advantage of these credits to contact their accountant in order to determine which credits make the most sense for their specific tax and financial situation.”
Sandi Towns, CPA/PFS, CFP®
Tax Partner
sandi.towns@wvco.com
Categories: Tax Planning
IRS Tax Update: Filing Deadlines Extended to February 15, 2023 for Hurricane Ian Victims
Oct 04, 2022
On September 29th, the IRS announced Hurricane Ian victims in the state of Florida will now have until February 15th, 2023, to file various federal returns.
The tax relief measure applies to businesses and individuals operating and residing in areas designated to receive disaster relief from FEMA. Those eligible must also have had a filing deadline of September 23rd, 2022, or later. In other words, any business or individual in the state of Florida that filed to extend their 2021 federal tax returns out to October 17th, 2022, will now have until February 15th, 2023, to file any returns or taxes.
For businesses, the extension relief will also apply to quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on October 31, 2022, and January 31, 2023. For individuals, the tax relief applies to any quarterly estimated income tax payments due on January 17, 2023. Additionally, penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after September 23, 2022, and before October 10, 2022, will be abated as long as the deposits are made by October 10, 2022.
The IRS will automatically apply this relief measure to taxpayers with a record of address in the disaster area, meaning there is no need to contact the agency directly. However, if an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or payment notice (that had an original or extended filing, payment, or deposit due date falling within the postponement period,) the taxpayer should call the number listed on the notice as soon as possible to abate the penalty.
For more information on the tax relief measure or to see if you qualify, contact your trusted team of tax professionals at William Vaughan Company as we continue to monitor IRS updates and the situation in Florida.
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Categories: Other Resources, Tax Compliance, Tax Planning
Canada’s New Digital Sales Tax
Jan 10, 2022
Written by: Brian Morcombe, Partner & Indirect Tax Practice Leader, BDO Canada – 2021
On July 1, 2021, new rules came into force that will significantly impact non-resident vendors and online platform operators. Specifically, the changes require certain non-resident vendors and operators of online platforms to register for, collect, and remit goods and services tax (GST)/harmonized sales tax (HST) on:
- sales of digital products and services provided to Canadian customers;
- goods supplied through fulfillment warehouses located in Canada and made by non-resident vendors directly through websites; and
- supplies made via short-term accommodation platforms.
Here’s what you need to know about Canada’s new digital sales taxes.
Supplies of digital property and services
What are the new rules?
Non-resident vendors supplying digital property and services to consumers in Canada are required to register for and collect GST/HST on these taxable supplies to Canadian consumers. An example is Netflix which, prior to July 2021, may not have been viewed as carrying on business in Canada and was not required to register for GST/HST. Under the new rules, Netflix is required to register to collect tax from customers in Canada that are not registered for GST/HST, putting Netflix on equal footing with Canadian resident streaming service vendors already required to collect tax from customers.
A consumer includes persons not registered for GST/HST (persons registered for GST/HST are not considered consumers for the purposes of the new rules). Operators of third-party distribution platforms making these types of supplies are also required to register. A simplified registration and remittance framework is available to these registrants that are not otherwise carrying on business in Canada.
The new requirements apply to non-resident vendors and distribution platform operators whose revenue from taxable supplies of property and/or services exceed, or are expected to exceed, C$30,000 over a 12-month period.
Can ITCs be claimed?
A condition of the simplified framework is that non-resident vendors and distribution platform operators using the simplified registration framework are not able to claim input tax credits (ITCs) to recover any GST/HST paid on expenses they incur related to their Canadian sales.
Goods supplied through fulfillment warehouses and through websites
What are the new rules?
Distribution platform operators are required to register to collect and remit GST/HST under the general regime (as opposed to the simplified framework discussed above) on sales of goods located in warehouses in Canada if the sales are made through that platform by non-registered vendors. Non-resident vendors using Canadian fulfillment warehouses to sell in Canada without the use of a distribution platform are also required to register for and collect GST/HST under the general regime. Fulfillment businesses in Canada are required to notify the Canada Revenue Agency of their activities and maintain certain records related to non-resident clients.
Lastly, non-resident vendors that make sales to consumers in Canada using their own website are generally also required to register for GST/HST under the general regime. GST/HST registration and collection is required where qualifying supplies, including those made through distribution platforms by non-registered third-party vendors to purchasers in Canada that are not registered for the GST/HST, exceed or are expected to exceed C$30,000 in a 12-month period.
Can ITCs be claimed?
Vendors that are registered under the general regime, as opposed to the simplified framework, will generally be eligible to claim ITCs in respect of GST/HST incurred in the course of their commercial activities.
Short-term accommodation platforms
What are the new rules?
GST/HST applies to all supplies of short-term accommodation (generally a residential complex or unit supplied for periods of less than 30 days and for more than C$20/day) supplied in Canada through an accommodation platform, such as Airbnb. If the property owner is registered for GST/HST, the owner continues to be responsible for collecting and remitting the GST/HST from its guests. If the property owner is not registered for GST/HST, the accommodation platform operator must collect and remit the GST/HST on that property owner’s supplies of accommodation to consumers.
Can ITCs be claimed?
Non-resident accommodation platform operators that are not considered to be carrying on business in Canada and are making supplies to consumers (as opposed to GST/HST registered persons) use the simplified registration framework, resulting in no entitlement for ITCs. Accommodation platform operators that are resident in Canada are required to register under the general regime and are able to claim ITCs where all conditions are met.
What about provincial sales tax (PST)?
If all of this sounds familiar, it should. Quebec introduced digital sales tax provisions aimed at non-residents of Canada that are not registered for GST/HST and Quebec sales tax (QST), defined as foreign specified suppliers, as well as specified digital platform operators on Jan. 1, 2019, requiring them to become registered for QST. Beginning Sept. 1, 2019, this QST registration requirement was broadened to include residents and non-residents that are registered for GST/HST but not registered for QST (i.e., Canadian specified suppliers).
Impacted vendors are required to register for QST under the simplified framework where sales exceed C$30,000 to individual consumers in Quebec in the preceding 12 months and relate to intangibles (like software and digitized products) and services. Canadian specified suppliers are required to collect QST on goods as well as intangibles and services. Like the new GST/HST simplified framework, Quebec restricted input tax refunds on vendors using its simplified framework.
Effective Jan. 1, 2020, Saskatchewan introduced rules targeting non-residents making e-commerce sales to purchasers in the province. Online marketplace facilitators and online accommodation platforms are now required to register and collect PST on electronic distribution services that are delivered, streamed, or accessed through an electronic distribution platform (e.g., website, internet, portal, or gateway) and online accommodation services that are delivered or accessed through an online accommodation platform, respectively.
British Columbia expanded its PST registration requirements to include Canadian sellers of goods, along with Canadian and foreign sellers of software and telecommunication services. These new provisions come into force on April 1, 2021.
Lastly, Manitoba recently released legislation taxing certain digital sales of goods and services effective Dec. 1, 2021. The following vendors will be caught in the new rules and will be required to register for, collect and remit Manitoba retail sales tax (RST):
- online marketplaces on the sale of taxable goods sold by third parties via their online platforms;
- online accommodation platforms on the booking of taxable accommodations in Manitoba; and
- audio and video streaming service providers on the sale of streaming services (by virtue of being included as telecommunication services).
Given the different approaches taken by the federal government and each of the provinces when taxing digital property and services, vendors and platform operators will need to gain a strong understanding of the requirements in each jurisdiction to prevent costly errors. If you need assistance navigating these rules, please contact your WVC advisor
Categories: Uncategorized