Ohio Income Tax Calculator

Ohio state tax quick facts Income tax: 0.495% - 4.997% Local income tax: 0% - 3% Sales tax: 6.5% - 8% Property tax: 1.57% effective rate Gas tax: 28.01 cents per gallon of regular gasoline and diesel

Starting in 2005, Ohio’s state income taxes saw a gradual decrease each year, falling from a top rate of 7.185% to 4.997% as of the end of 2015. For the 2018 tax year, which you file in early 2019, the top rate is 4.997%. Alone, that would place Ohio at the lower end of states with an income tax, but many Ohio municipalities also charge income taxes, some as high as 3%.

Similarly, Ohio’s statewide sales tax rate is 5.75%, which matches the national average; but when combined with county sales tax rates ranging from 0.75% up to 2.25%, the total average rate is 7.15%. This is the 19th-highest sales tax rate in the U.S. In all, the state and local tax burden for the average Ohio taxpayer is slightly above the national average, but that burden varies depending on what city and county a taxpayer calls home.

Ohio State Income Tax

Like the federal government, Ohio collects taxes based on income “brackets.” That is, the higher a taxpayer’s income, the higher rate he or she pays. These rates vary from half a percent of taxable income, up to 4.997%. The table below shows the marginal rate paid on taxable income for filers in Ohio.

These are rates on taxable income, which is lower than a taxpayer’s actual income. Why? Deductions and exemptions. State income taxes in Ohio are based off of your federal adjusted gross income, which incorporates certain federal deductions. Ohio taxpayers cannot claim separate itemized deductions on their state tax returns.

In Ohio, filers can claim an additional exemption of between $1,800 and $2,300, depending on income level. Individuals making $40,000 or less are eligible for the exemption of $2,300. Those making over $80,000 can claim an exemption of $1,800. Earners between those two values are eligible for an exemption of $2,050. So, for example, someone with a federal AGI of $35,000 per year would only be taxed on $32,700 of it.

Ohio Municipal Income Taxes

Many municipalities and school districts in Ohio collect income taxes of their own, with rates as high as 2.5% in some areas. Below are the municipal tax rates for Ohio’s largest cities, as well as the rates for every school district that collects an income tax. These are all assessed at a flat rate, based on the taxable income used for Ohio state taxes.

Ohio Sales Tax

The statewide sales tax rate in Ohio is 5.75%, but Ohio counties collect their own sales taxes, of between 0.75% and 2.25%. That means the lowest rate possible is 6.5% and the highest possible rate is 8%. Below is a table of sales tax rates for every county in Ohio.

While those taxes apply to nearly every product that can be bought, there are some exceptions. For example, there is no sales tax on newspapers, prescription drugs, property used for agricultural production (a tractor, for example) or utilities such as gas, water and electricity. Food is also exempt from sales tax, so long as it is not prepared for on-site consumption (at a restaurant, for example).

Ohio Alcohol and Tobacco Tax

Ohio also collects additional excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco. It has the 18th lowest alcoholic beverage excise tax in the nation, at 18 cents per gallon (or about 1.7 cents per 12 ounce beer). The tobacco tax is currently $1.60 per pack of 20, although in recent years, there have been proposals to raise that tax to as high as $2.25.

Ohio Property Tax

According to the Ohio Department of Taxation, the property tax is the oldest tax in Ohio, dating back in its current form to 1825. The state’s average effective property tax rate is 1.57%, making it the 13th-highest in the country. However, since it is primarily collected at the county level, that rate will vary depending on where you live. In Cuyahoga County, for example, the effective property tax rate was 2.41% in 2017. On the other hand, in east Ohio’s Lawrence County, the effective rate was just 0.86%.

While Ohio’s property tax may be above national average, its rates remain lower than many of the surrounding Midwest states. If you would like to refinance your home or you are looking to move to the Buckeye state, our Ohio mortgage guide has all the essential information about getting a mortgage in the state.

Ohio Gas Tax

Gasoline is taxed at a rate of 28.01 cents per gallon in Ohio. When combined with the federal gas tax, that means Ohio citizens pay a total of 46.41 cents per gallon in taxes.

Ohio Estate Tax

As of January 1, 2013, there is no estate tax in Ohio. For the estates of persons who died prior to that date, however, the prior tax may still be due.

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Ohio is nicknamed the Buckeye State after the Ohio buckeye tree native to the region. “Ohio” comes from the Iroquois word meaning “great river.” The Ohio River is the largest tributary to the Mississippi river. Ohio Stadium, home of the Ohio State Buckeye football team, has a capacity of 104,944 spectators. This makes it the fifth largest sports stadium in the country.