Will Coronavirus Delay Your State of Ohio Tax Refund?
The Coronavirus may delay your Ohio State tax refund. The pandemic brought many businesses to a halt, as they reassessed the best way to protect their employees and customers. The Ohio Department of Taxation is no different. In response to Coronavirus, Ohio, like most states, followed the lead of the IRS. Governor Mike DeWine extended the filing date to July 15th, giving Ohioans an opportunity until July 15th to file their state taxes without penalty or interest. And what do many Americans love to do? You guessed it – procrastinate. Even given another three months to file, many Americans came up with excuses to wait until the last moment to file their tax returns. Unfortunately, for the Ohio Department of Taxation, this meant when normally they would be wrapping up the 2019 tax year by issuing tax refunds, they are still processing tax returns. I wish I had better news. I know we can all use that extra cash. However, hang in there, because there are some things you can do to check the status of your tax refund and stay on top of how it is progressing.
The main reasons for delays in processing your Ohio State tax refund remain the same as years past – a refund offset or error in completing your tax return. A refund offset occurs when taxpayers owe past due debts like unpaid taxes, back due child support, or debt for overpayment of public assistance. Common tax errors include forgetting to report income, such as a 1099-MISC or W-2, or more than one taxpayer claiming the same dependent.
Where’s My Refund Ohio?
To check the status of your Ohio State tax refund, wait at least ten (10) days after it has been filed and click here Check My Refund Status to check the status through the Ohio Department of Taxation website. You will need to enter your Social Security Number, date-of-birth, the type of tax (income tax for state tax refund), and whether it was an amended tax return. If you do not feel comfortable entering your information online, you can call the automated refund hotline at (800) 282-1784. To speak with a live representative, you will need to call (800) 282-1780.
Similarly, if you have not received your federal tax refund from the IRS, you can check your status by clicking here Where’s My Refund to be directed to the IRS official website.
If you e-filed your tax returns as many taxpayers do, it can take up to 21 days to process your tax refund and maybe a little longer due to delays. If you paper filed your tax returns, it can take up to 6 weeks to process your tax return. If you had to amend your tax returns, the time it takes to process your amended tax returns can take up to 16 weeks.
If your refund status is not updated online in the Ohio State or IRS database after the time required to process your tax returns and you have not received your refund, call Ohio Department of Taxation at (800) 282-1780 or reach out to your tax preparer to get a status update.
Ohio Refund Offset Letter
Another reason you may not receive your refund is because it was offset. If you received a refund offset letter from the Ohio Department of Taxation, you can read more about Ohio’s Refund Offset Program and view frequently asked questions here. Common reasons refunds are offset by Ohio State include unpaid taxes, back child support, or debt owed for overpayment of public assistance.
Tax Errors
Another common reason your tax refund may be delayed is because of errors completing your tax return. Common errors include forgetting to report income from a 1099-MISC or W-2. If you forgot to include your income from a part-time job, there is a good chance the IRS or Ohio State will catch it causing the processing of your tax return to be delayed. If this occurs, you will receive a letter explaining the new changes. However, it can change your tax liability and may result in your owing instead of getting a refund.
The Bottom Line
Due to Coronavirus, it may take a little longer to receive your Ohio State tax refund this year. However, if it is delayed, it may be due to a refund offset or tax error. If it has been more than ten days since your tax return was filed, you can check the status on the Ohio Department of Taxation’s website here or by calling the automated refund hotline at (800) 282-1784.
If you feel your tax refund was offset incorrectly, tax return processed incorrectly, or if it has been more than 21 days since your tax returns were e-filed, schedule an appointment today with the accounting and tax preparation professionals at Gudorf Tax Group.