Ohio business taxpayers can now sign up for a new and convenient tax filing service electing to file a centralized return for all Ohio municipalities in which they have an Ohio municipal net profit tax filing obligation. Centralized filing is available for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018.

The Election
Although filing a centralized return is not available until 2018, the election to file on a centralized basis must be made by March 1, 2018 for calendar year 2018 taxpayers. The election is to be made on form MNP-R, Municipal Net Profit Tax Registration or electronically at www.tax.ohio.gov.

Taxpayers must also notify each municipal corporation in which the taxpayer conducted business during the previous tax year of their election. The election applies to all subsequent tax years. There is no fee assessed by Ohio to the taxpayer to make the election.

If a taxpayer makes the election, it is applicable for all municipalities in which the taxpayer does business. Even if registered for other Ohio taxes, business taxpayers must register to take advantage of the new one-stop system for filing municipal returns.

A taxpayer may terminate its election by notifying the Tax Commissioner and all municipalities in which the taxpayer conducted business during the previous taxable year by filing a termination by the first day of the third month of any taxable year.