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State Representative Jim Buchy
Municipal Tax
Reform Cuts Red Tape, Grows Economy
Of the many steps we have taken to improve Ohio’s economic situation,
our latest effort involved making serious reforms to the way
municipalities collect income taxes. House Bill 5, which passed the
legislature at the end of the previous General Assembly, was signed by
the governor and will go into effect this spring. The new approach to
municipal income tax collection is paving the way for economic growth
and more jobs for Ohioans.
Under the previous tax structure, around 600 different municipalities
utilized more than 300 different tax forms to file and process their
municipal income tax. Complications from this system created numerous
obstacles for business, often requiring them to spend more time and
money on preparing the tax forms than the actual tax levied against the
business.
This situation illustrates a perfect example of how government can
obstruct economic growth and job creation. It also shows how leaders
can identify and solve these complex problems for the betterment of all.
The legislature took the appropriate steps to remedy this problem by
creating uniform due dates, withholding requirements, and procedures
for audits and appeals. All of this simplifies navigation of the
municipal income tax system for employers, letting them do what they do
best—grow and create more jobs.
This legislation also makes Ohio more competitive in relation to
neighboring states. Businesses looking to relocate to Ohio or expand
their operations into the state were deterred from coming by the
significant flaws of the system. Now, simplification of our tax system
will provide even more incentives to bring jobs back inside Ohio’s
borders.
Under the leadership of Governor Kasich we are working to improve the
climate for job growth in Ohio. These reforms make substantial
improvements and progress to grow our economy and put people back to
work. We will continue to cut red tape and get government out of the
way of business growth and development.
Please give me your opinion on this topic and others in the news this
month by completing an online survey at tinyurl.com/buchyjanuary2015.
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