Two Republican state lawmakers are pushing a series of proposals to make local taxes easier to collect and pay. Former Grove City Mayor Cherly Grossman say it is an effort to attract and retain businesses.
Grossman says the changes include consolidating tax returns to reduce compliance costs and standardizing interest rates and penalties. Grossman and Representative Mike Henne also want to establish uniform due dates for all municipal tax returns and uniform withholding requirements for all employers. Grossman says Ohio's patchwork of local tax rules and its 300 different local tax forms lead companies to leave the state. Critics say the plan will hurt residents and local governments while boosting the bottom lines of businesses. The bill has support from government and business groups, but failed to get through the last two sessions of the General Assembly.