Tax on Real Estate Services

Tax on Real Estate Services to help Balance Ohio Budget

In order to help balance Ohio’s fiscal budget, Gov. Taft proposed taxing real estate commissions, title services, property management services, appraisals and property inspections as well as slashing the tax rollback on commercial properties.

Within hours of Gov. Taft’s announcement, REALTORS® were in action. In less than three weeks, more than 14,000 e-mails and letters had been generated by real estate professionals urging state lawmakers to stop Gov. Taft’s real estate tax plan.

On 4/9/03, the Ohio House of Representatives passed HB 95 – the state’s 2004-2005 budget – which excluded all of the real estate-related tax provisions included in Gov. Bob Taft’s original proposal. 

However, the battle now shifts to the Ohio Senate.  A new, timely letter has been drafted that needs to be sent to your state Senator ASAP! Hearings on HB 95 began in late April. It’s imperative that our message reach the members of the Ohio Senate as they consider this bill.

For more information and to contact your Senator, visit www.ProtectingtheAmericanDream.com

Columbus REALTORS® thank the following Representatives who voted in favor of HB 95 (without the taxes on real estate services):

Rep. Thom Collier (R-90th)
Rep. Tony Core (R-83rd)
Rep. David Evans (R-71st)
Rep. Larry Flowers (R-19th)
Rep. Larry Householder (R-91st)
Rep. James Hughes (R-22nd)
Rep. Merle Grace Kearns (R-72nd)
Rep. Jim McGregor (R-20th)
Rep. Jon Peterson (R-2nd)
Rep. Larry Price (R-26th)
Rep. Geoffrey Smith (R-24th)
Rep. Larry Wolpert (R-23rd)