Rep. McNally Provides Guidance on Tax Payments for Downtown Businesses

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today issued the following guidance from the Ohio Department of Taxation (OTAX) for businesses that may be experiencing difficulty filing taxes due to limited computer, information, or file access following the Tuesday, May 28th Realty building explosion on E. Federal Street in Youngstown that left one dead and nine injured. As additional sources of state aid are identified, it will be made available to the right people and businesses.

“I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in meetings and on the phone exploring everything possible to elevate the ongoing impact of this fatal event. These efforts span across the state government and include local and statewide organizations. I am very aware of the current and long term needs of our neighbors and am making myself as available as possible to the residents, businesses, safety responders, investigators, and government officials. This guidance is helpful and necessary but should not be the final step of the process,” said Rep. McNally. “We have a duty to ease fear and move forward as best we can and that is a job that I’m committed to doing well.”

Businesses directly and indirectly impacted by the explosion are encouraged to contact the OTAX as soon as possible. In particular, the general business line number and the commercial activity tax number will be the most useful to impacted businesses, should they wish to speak with the department. Other notable contacts include:

• General Business, including Employer & School District Withholding, Financial Institutions, Sales & Use Taxes, and Pass Through Entity/Fiduciary Income Tax(for trusts and estates)
  (888) 405-4039
• Business Registration including Employer & School District Employer and Sales & Use Taxes
  (888) 405-4089
• Sales Tax Telefile
  (800) 697-0440
• Commercial Activity Tax and Petroleum Activity Tax
  (888) 722-8829
• Commercial Activity Tax TeleFile
  (800) 697-0440
• Excise & Energy Tax, including Public Utility, kWh, Mcf, Severance, Motor Fuel, IFTA, Casino, Muni for Electric Light and Local Exchange Telephone Companies, and various Excise taxes
  (855) 466-3921
• Municipal Net Profit Tax
  (844) 238-0403
• Tax Fraud Hotline
  (800) 757-6091 or Click Here
• Ohio Relay for Persons using TTY or TDD
  (800) 750-0750

This guidance follows meetings with OTAX and Rep. McNally on ways to best alleviate the explosion's impact on downtown businesses. Conversations are ongoing and additional research is being conducted on other possible avenues for business support.

“While this remains a predominantly local issue, I am very accessible and want to do more where it makes sense. I’m open to creative solutions and unique circumstances and will make connections at the state-level wherever I can,” said Rep. McNally.