Resources

Client Alerts, News Articles, Blog Posts, & Multimedia

Everything you need to know about BMD and the industry.

State of Ohio & Cities Extend Tax Filing Deadline

Client Alert

On March 27, Governor DeWine signed a bill passed by the legislature to provide tax relief to Ohio taxpayers. 

Filing Relief

The law provides that taxpayers will have until July 15, 2020 (as opposed to April 15), to file and pay both any balance due on their 2019 income and school district taxes as well as the first and second estimated payments (April 15 and June 15) that is due. This extension is automatic and neither penalties nor interest will be assessed on these amounts.  However, if you are a net profits filer for city tax purposes and your federal return was filed by March 16, 2020, the extension IS NOT automatic, and you must file an extension to receive additional time. Because city tax filing deadlines are tied to the State filing deadline, cities should not have to take any further action. Many cities in Ohio have already posted the extended filing date on their websites. 

Withholding Changes for City Income Taxes

Also, part of the law is a change in the way employers calculate city income tax withholding. Employers are normally required to withhold city income taxes from wages for any municipality in which an employee spent 20 or more days working during a calendar year. This change provides that employees who are working from “a temporary location” (most notably their home) shall be treated as if they are working at their normal principal place of work. Thus, employers are able to withhold city taxes as if the employee were actually working in their normal location(s).

Commercial Activity Tax

Finally, the Tax Commissioner has been granted the authority to extend the due date for the filing of the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) due on May 11, 2020. At the time of this release, no new extended date has been announced.

What It Is Not

There is no extension to file and/or pay sales tax. Of course, businesses that are closed due to any of the Orders issued by the State would, except for the month of March, only have a filing requirement as they would have made no taxable sales.

Other States

Some other states have released guidance as to relief that they are granting taxpayers. The most up-to-date information for this is available on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants website.

For more information or questions, please contact Priscilla A. Grant, BMD Business, Corporate and Tax Member at pag@bmdllc.com or 330.253.5934.


January 2025 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Brings Notable Changes to HIPAA Security Rule

In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposed amendments to the HIPAA Security Rule, aiming to enhance cybersecurity for covered entities (CEs) and business associates (BAs). Key changes include mandatory compliance audits, workforce training, vulnerability scans, and risk assessments. Comments on the proposed rule are due by March 7, 2025.

Corporate Transparency Act Effective Again

The federal judiciary has issued multiple rulings on the enforceability of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which took effect on January 1, 2024. Previously, enforcement was halted nationwide due to litigation in Smith v. U.S. Department of the Treasury. However, on February 18th, the court lifted the stay, reinstating the CTA’s reporting requirements. Non-exempt entities now have until March 21, 2025, to comply. Businesses should act promptly to avoid civil penalties of $591 per day and potential criminal liability.

Status Update: Physician Noncompete Agreements in Ohio

Noncompete agreements remain enforceable in Ohio if they meet specific legal requirements. While the AMA and FTC have challenged these restrictions, courts continue to uphold reasonable noncompete provisions for physicians. Recent cases, like MetroHealth System v. Khandelwal, highlight how courts may modify overly restrictive agreements to balance employer interests with patient care. With ongoing legal challenges to the FTC’s proposed ban, Ohio physicians should consult a healthcare attorney before signing or challenging a noncompete agreement.

Immigration Orders and Their Economic Impact on Small Business: Insights from Attorney and Former Immigration Judge Rob Ratliff

President Trump's recent executive orders, targeting immigration policies, could significantly impact small businesses in Ohio, particularly those owned by undocumented immigrants. With stricter visa vetting, halted refugee admissions, and potential deportations, these businesses face uncertainty, workforce disruption, and closures. Ohio's immigrant-owned businesses, especially in food services and transportation, contribute billions to the state economy, and any disruption could result in economic ripple effects.

Corporate Transparency Act Ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled on the enforceability of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), lifting an injunction previously imposed by the Fifth Circuit. However, a separate nationwide injunction remains in effect, meaning businesses are still not required to comply with the CTA’s reporting requirements. FinCEN continues to accept voluntary reporting while enforcement remains paused.