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Reynoldsburg, Pickerington remind residents to file income taxes
(by Lori Smith, staff writer - March 07, 2011)
April is quickly approaching, and that means it is time to file tax returns – and hopefully get a nice little refund.
This year, however, local government wants to remind residents they need to file local income taxes in addition to their state and federal returns.
In Pickerington, the income tax rate is 1 percent, and it has been that way since the 1970s, said Chris Schornack, finance director.
There is a .5 percent credit for income taxes paid to another city. So if you work in Columbus where the income tax rate is 2.5 percent, you are only required to pay .5 percent to Pickerington, Schornack explained.
“The credit always gets confusing to people,” he said. “We get a lot of walk-ins and phone calls this time of year.”
Schornack said most Pickerington residents are aware of their requirement to file local income taxes. The city sends a welcome packet to all new residents, and the city utilizes state records and utility accounts to identify anybody new who moves to the area.
With the recent budget crunch, the city has been making extra efforts to make sure all income taxes are collected, he said. Those who do not comply are called into Mayor’s Court.
“We actually have quite a few people there now,” he said.
Pickerington’s tax forms are available at city hall, 100 Lockville Road, as well as the city’s website, www.ci.pickerington.oh.us. In addition, forms are mailed to all residents who have previously filed.
If you are not sure if you are required to file an income tax form with the city of Pickerington, call the tax office at (614) 837-4116. All residents 18 and older must file an annual tax return for all or any part of a year.
With today’s technology, filing local income tax returns should be easier than ever, Schornack pointed out.
“We want to hype up our online filing that is available now,” he said. “Our online filing started last year, and we’ve had a really good response.”
Schornack said many municipalities are moving toward online filing.
“Everyone is wanting to use less paper and move toward an electronic format,” Schornack said.
Reynoldsburg’s tax administrator, Brenda Browning, said the city of Reynoldsburg sometimes has a difficult time making sure residents are aware they need to file city income taxes.
“We have such a turnover with apartments and rental homes that sometimes there might be a delay in notifying new residents,” she said.
As long as six months can pass before the city might be able to make contact with new residents regarding income tax requirements, she said.
Reynoldsburg’s income tax rate is 1.5 percent, which it has been since 1982, and the city offers a 100 percent credit up to its tax rate. Browning said that means those who work in the city of Columbus, where the income tax rate is 2.5 percent, would not owe Reynoldsburg further income taxes.
“The majority of our residents who file would not owe us any additional income tax,” she said.
Reynoldsburg uses the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) to help collect its income tax, Browning said.
“We have been with RITA since July 1, 1994,” she said, noting the agency collects the paperwork and payments on behalf of the city.
Reynoldsburg’s income tax forms are available at the Reynoldsburg Municipal Building, 7232 E. Main St.; the Reynoldsburg library, 1402 Brice Road; and on the RITA website, www.ritaohio.com. If you are unsure of whether you are required to file Reynoldsburg income taxes, call the tax office at (614) 322-6865.
“Don’t be afraid to call your tax department,” Browling urged. “All of the tax departments will work with you on payments. Getting it filed is the first step.
“We are more than happy to work out payment arrangements if necessary,” she said. “Every city is seeing more and more of that with today’s economic conditions.”
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