Marysville officials are working to better communicate with income tax preparers in the community.
At a recent meeting, resident Kathy Young, who works for a national tax preparation company, addressed city council.
“We need to know the right way to file,” Young said.
The income tax rate for anyone living in or working in Marysville is 1.5%. Generally, gross income and business net profits are taxable at the local level. All adult residents and anyone doing business in Marysville are required to file income tax in the city.
Young explained that she would be filing city income tax returns for customers.
“I didn’t know, until I got a phone call from the city saying I am doing it wrong,” Young said.
She said she would listen to the advice given by the city but would receive another call from another city employee saying that was wrong.
“The people in the office are telling us to do it one way and then we are being told ‘No. That’s not the way to do it,’” Young said.
City officials asked Young if she had any specific questions or if a conversation with finance director Justin Nahvi could help bring clarity.
“I don’t have any questions until I get a call from the city,” Young answered.
As a result of that discussion, city officials will be hosting an open house for local tax preparers.
“We want to open it up to all of those questions and concerns, to get them taken care of before companies start sending out tax documents in January,” Nahvi said.
While the date has not been set, Nahvi said he hopes to have it before Christmas.
“We want to plan something so tax preparers can get answers,” Nahvi said.
He explained that many of the local tax accounts have “custom software that integrates with our tax system so they can file with us directly.”
He said the service Young works for has a different software that does not work with the city’s.
Nahvi also said some do-it-yourself tax programs allow the user to file local Marysville income tax while others do not.
He said Young had some of the same concerns last year. Officials tried to organize an open house at the time, but couldn’t. Instead, Nahvi directed the woman to attend a January tax symposium in Dublin where local tax directors are available for questions. Nahvi said he still recommends that event, but the local open house would give tax preparers several options and opportunities.
Additionally, city officials are working to create a fact sheet to serve as a reference guide and to address some frequently asked questions.
Officials said common tax mistakes include failure to sign return or attach check, failure to attach of W-2’s, failure to use gross compensation, Box 5 or 18 on W-2, failure to file return for the year taxpayer moves in or out, failure to advise of address change, failure to mail return, failure to file estimates, failure to attach Schedules/Forms and statements, failure to claim final estimate made when after date on return, line 11 and failure to allocate taxes paid when allocating income for “move in/move out.”
City of Marysville finance staff is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to provide City income tax assistance. Assistance is provided at the Customer Service Center located in City Hall at 209 S. Main St., or the income tax office. Those needing assistance preparing their City of Marysville income tax return are asked to bring a copy of all W-2, 1099, and federal income tax return forms, if available.
Those wanting more information or assistance, are asked to call the Income Tax Division at (937) 645-7350.