H.B. 197 was approved unanimously by both the state Senate and House of Representatives. The bill would authorize the state tax commissioner to extend Ohio's April 15 income tax filing and payment deadlines for the duration of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine's COVID-19 emergency declaration, according to a fiscal note on the bill. DeWine's March 9 executive order declaring the emergency said it will remain in effect until a date to be determined by state officials when the emergency no longer exists.
The extension would apply to all state taxes, school district income taxes and municipal income taxes administered by the state, the fiscal note said.
After the bill passed the legislature, DeWine issued a statement applauding the legislation, saying he looked forward to signing the measure soon to provide tax and other relief from the virus.
"This bill will ensure continuity of government, extended mail-in voting for our primary, clarity for schools and students, relief to workers impacted by COVID-19 and measures to make sure we are prepared to help Ohioans get back to work when this pandemic subsides," DeWine said.
The COVID-19 relief provisions were folded into other tax changes contained in a prior version of the bill. The legislation would also conform state tax law to certain Internal Revenue Code changes since 2018, including modified definitions of federal adjusted gross income, the fiscal note said.
If the bill is enacted, Ohio would join most states that have provided income tax extensions as COVID-19 has spread. As of Wednesday, Ohio had 704 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 10 deaths attributed to the virus, according to the state Department of Health.
--Editing by Neil Cohen.
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