If you conducted business or earned income in Ohio, you may be subject to Ohio state taxes. If this applies to you, here are the key tax deadlines and extension details for Ohio in 2024.
Ohio offers the Research and Development Investment Tax Credit, a nonrefundable credit used to offset the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT).
In Ohio, you may:
File your taxes online for free via Business Gateway
When filing by mail, ensure that your documents are postmarked by the due date.
Federal filing is not required.
Amendments are allowed up to 3-years from the original date of filing.
Overview, Eligibility, and Limitations
Overview, Eligibility, and Limitations
Research and Development Investment Tax Credit
The Ohio Research and Development Investment Tax Credit, authorized under Section 5751.51 of the Ohio Revised Code, is a nonrefundable credit against the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) liability.
This credit is available annually and is based on Qualified Research Expenses (QREs) in Ohio, as defined by I.R.C. Section 41. To qualify for the Ohio R&D tax credit, a taxpayer
must be eligible for a federal research credit for the taxable year under I.R.C. Section 41.
Ohio R&D Credit Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) Summary
For calendar years 2008 and thereafter, eligible taxpayers may calculate the available nonrefundable credit by multiplying 7% by the difference between the taxpayer’s research and development expenses incurred in Ohio during the calendar year and the taxpayer’s average annual research and development expenses incurred in Ohio during the three preceding calendar years.
There is no special application or approval process for this tax credit. The credit may be claimed on a tax return, subject to audit by the Department of Taxation.
See Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §5733.351(C)
Eligible Entities
C-Corporations, S-Corporations, LLCs, Partnerships
Credit Carryforward
Any unused credit can be carried over for seven years.
The research credit is not refundable.
Credit Limitations and R&D Sales Tax Exemption Summary
To receive the tax exemption, the purchaser/vendor must complete an Ohio Department of Taxation Sales and Use Tax Blanket Exemption Certificate.
The Research and Development Sales Tax Exemption exempts business from the entire state and county sales tax for purchases of qualified machinery and equipment used primarily for research and development.
This exemption provides significant savings for companies undertaking research and development activities in Ohio.
The exemption applies to machinery and equipment included in research and development activity in both direct and pure research.
Direct research refers to research conducted to design, create or formulate new or better products, equipment or processes. Pure research refers to scientific or technological inquiry and experimentation in the physical sciences.
S-Corporation / Partnership
You must file in Ohio by March 15, 2025.
Applicable R&D Forms
Form CAT-CS – Commercial Activity Tax
File the above form with the following tax forms:
Form IT 1140 – Pass-Through Entity and Trust Withholding Tax Return
Extension to File Taxes in Ohio for 2024
Taxes owed in Ohio for the tax year 2024 must be paid by March 15, 2025.
No separate extension filing is required in Ohio.
Ohio automatically grants a 6-month extension for S-Corporation tax returns and Partnership tax returns.
S-Corporation: the extension deadline is September 15, 2025.
Partnership: the extension deadline is September 15, 2025.
Note that this extension pertains to the filing deadline, not the payment deadline.
Payment of taxes owed is still due by March 15, 2025.
C-Corporation
You must file in Ohio by April 15, 2025.
Applicable R&D Forms
Form CAT-CS – Commercial Activity Tax
File the above form with the following tax forms:
The Commercial Activity Tax applies to all businesses operating in Ohio, including C-Corporations, and is based on gross receipts.
Extension to File Taxes in Ohio for 2024
Taxes owed in Ohio for the tax year 2024 must be paid by April 15, 2025.
No separate extension filing is required in Ohio.
Ohio automatically grants an extension for C-Corporation tax returns.
C-Corporation: the extension deadline is October 15, 2025.
Note that this extension pertains to the filing deadline, not the payment deadline.
Payment of taxes owed is still required by April 15, 2025.
Sole-Proprietorship
Sole-Proprietorship
You must file in Ohio by April 15, 2025.
Applicable R&D Forms
Not eligible
File the above form with the following tax forms:
Form Ohio IT-1040 – Individual Income Tax
Extension to File Taxes in Ohio for 2024
Taxes owed in Ohio for the tax year 2024 must be paid by April 15, 2025.
No separate extension filing is required in Ohio.
Ohio automatically grants a 6-month extension for individual tax returns.
Sole-Proprietorship: the extension deadline is October 15, 2025.
Note that this extension pertains to the filing deadline, not the payment deadline.
Payment of taxes owed is still due by April 15, 2025.
References
We strive to ensure the accuracy of the information on this page, but it is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please use your own professional judgment and consult with a tax professional. Any advice you provide in connection with tax return preparation must comply in full with the requirements of IRS Circular 230.