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Municipal Tax Issues

Municipal tax reform brings simpler compliance

OSCPA’s top legislative priority for years has been achieving meaningful reforms to Ohio’s municipal tax structure—the most complicated in the nation. In 2017, OSCPA worked with Ohio leaders and the Municipal Tax Reform Coalition to pass additional, pro-business reforms that reduce costs and red tape, making it easier for taxpayers to comply with filing requirements.

Ohio Tax Reform
Business taxpayers who file net profits returns in more than one municipality can opt in to file one central return through the Ohio Business Gateway and make estimated quarterly payments.

Centralized Filing FAQ

When is registration open?Open

Effective for taxable years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2018, taxpayers subject to a municipal net profit tax may elect to file and pay on a centralized basis at http://www.tax.ohio.gov/MunicipalTax.aspx or by filing Form MNP R. Registration has been available with ODT since October 2017.
What is the deadline to register?Open or Close

The taxpayer must register with ODT by the fifteenth day of the fourth month of the taxpayer’s taxable year (April15 for calendar year filers).
Where do filings and payments take place?Open or Close

An electing taxpayer must file any tax return, estimated taxes, or extension through the Ohio Business Gateway (OBG). Payments must also be made through the OBG. The ODT is also exploring the option of allowing taxpayers to file and pay through the Modernized e-File (MeF) program.
Who needs to be notified other than ODT?Open or Close

Taxpayers making the election must also notify each municipal corporation in which the taxpayer conducted business during the previous taxable year by sending Form MNP MN to each municipality. There are two versions of Form MNP MN, one for tax preparers and one for taxpayers. A new business making an election does not have to notify any municipalities of its election.
If a business elects to participate, how long is the commitment?Open or Close

Once the election has been made by the electing taxpayer, it automatically renews year to year unless the taxpayer terminates the election by filing a form with the tax commissioner by the first day of the third month of any taxable year.
Have additional questions?Open or Close

Please visit https://www.tax.ohio.gov/MunicipalTax/FAQ.aspx

Latest news on municipal income tax reform:

Feb 13, 2019

Businesses stand to miss out as March 1 deadline looms

Many Ohio businesses will miss out on the chance to save on some of their tax compliance burden – estimated by the Ohio Department of Taxation to collectively save Ohioans more than $800 million in administrative costs – if they ignore a deadline coming up March 1.
Feb 06, 2019

Podcast: Ruling saved more than just centralized filing

Last week’s appeals court decision in favor of the Ohio Department of Taxation over cities was good news for the state’s economy for several reasons, said Barbara Benton, CAE, OSCPA’s VP of government relations.
Feb 01, 2019

OSCPA asks Congress for taxpayer relief in wake of reform

The Ohio Society of CPAs this week sent a letter to Ohio’s Congressional Delegation urging them to provide relief to taxpayers in the wake of tax reform and the recent federal government shutdown.
Jan 29, 2019

Appeals court upholds centralized collection, other muni tax reforms

In a win for Ohio’s CPA profession – and Ohio taxpayers – the state’s 10th District Court of Appeals on Jan. 29 upheld a lower court decision supporting the constitutionality of centralized collection of municipal net profits taxes and other municipal tax reforms adopted in recent years by the Ohio General Assembly.
Jan 23, 2019

Reminder: Next muni tax deadline is Feb. 1

Ohio businesses with a taxable year that begins on Dec. 1 that want to file their 2019 municipal net profit tax return with the Ohio Department of Taxation must register by midnight, Feb. 1.