If they haven’t already, millions of Ohioans will file their taxes by Tuesday. Because Ohio’s tax system is upside down, a small group at the very top will pay far too little. Meanwhile, citing low revenue and a sluggish economy, Governor Kasich and legislative leaders announced that they will cut $400 million a year from his 2018-2019 budget.
Ahead of Tax Day, Policy Matters is releasing “10 tax reforms for a better Ohio.” Our suggestions include reversing some income tax cuts that haven’t created promised jobs, modernizing the sales tax base, closing costly tax loopholes and measures to put more money in the pockets of the working poor.
“Even before Kasich announced this cut, the executive budget wasn’t investing enough in programs Ohio needs,” said Policy Matters Ohio Research Director Zach Schiller. “We’re not generating enough revenue. Our tax system is off-kilter, with the wealthy and special interests getting big breaks at the expense of the poor and middle class. We can make reforms that bring more balance to the tax code and still fund the essential programs we need.”
A fair share tax could help balance Ohio’s tax code