why do i owe the ohio attorney general's office?

by Agustin Hill 5 min read

Under Ohio Revised Code section 131.02, all delinquent state debt is collected by the Attorney General. Why do I owe this debt, or, what is this about? You should have received a collection notice or letter from a state agency or college.

Full Answer

How do you know if you owe the Ohio attorney general?

NOTE: For information on paying a tax debt or other debt owed to the state of Ohio, please contact the Attorney General's Collections Enforcement Section online or by calling 877-607-6400.

Can the Ohio attorney general take my federal taxes?

Yes. The State of Ohio retains the right to offset any monies owed to the applicant, including federal and state tax refunds. Will the Attorney General cease garnishment, foreclosure and other collection activities while an offer is pending?

How do I settle a debt with the Ohio attorney general?

An applicant must pay within 60 days of accepting the offer in compromise. If needed, a payment plan can be arranged by calling the Attorney General's Office at (614) 752-2211. What is an offer in compromise? An offer in compromise allows a person who owes the state money to negotiate less than the balance owed.

What is the purpose of the Ohio attorney general?

The Ohio Attorney General's Legal Community The office's work brings criminals to justice, preserves Ohioans' rights and protects the interests of state government and the citizens it serves. The office also provides formal opinions on legal questions arising during the course of public officials' work.

Why am I getting a letter from the Ohio Department of Taxation?

Why did I receive this? Our records indicate that you were the buyer of a vehicle, watercraft or onboard motor. As required by law, the Ohio Department of Taxation conducts reviews of casual (non-dealer) vehicle title transfers. A letter/questionnaire is sent to the seller of the vehicle, watercraft or onboard motor.

How long can Ohio collect back taxes?

Seven years(a) Seven years after the assessment of the tax, penalty, interest, or additional charge is issued. (b) Four years after the assessment of the tax, penalty, interest, or additional charge becomes final.

What is the 11 word phrase to stop debt collectors?

If you need to take a break, you can use this 11 word phrase to stop debt collectors: “Please cease and desist all calls and contact with me, immediately.” Here is what you should do if you are being contacted by a debt collector.

What is the new debt collection rule?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act makes it illegal for debt collectors to harass or threaten you when trying to collect on a debt. In addition, on November 30, 2021, the CFPB's new Debt Collection Rule became effective.

What happens if I can't pay a Judgement in Ohio?

If you do not respond to the lawsuit, your creditor can get a default judgment against you. A default judgment allows the creditor to win in court simply because you were not there to defend yourself. If the collector receives a default judgment, it will be able to collect as much money as it asked for in the lawsuit.

Who does Ohio Attorney General represent?

APPEALS, headed by the Ohio Solicitor General, represents the state and its agencies on appeals in the U.S. Supreme Court, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court.

Does the Ohio Attorney General enforce state laws?

The office consists of nearly 30 distinct sections, which, among other duties, advocate for consumers and victims of crime, support the criminal justice community, provide legal counsel for state offices and agencies, and enforce certain laws.

What is the attorney general's role?

The primary responsibility of the Attorney-General is to protect, preserve and promote the rule of law.

How do I know if my taxes are going to be taken?

The IRS provides a toll-free number, (800) 304-3107, to call for information about tax offsets. You can call this number, go through the automated prompts, and see if you have any offsets pending on your social security number.

What happens if you don't pay Ohio state taxes?

Late payment penalty is double the interest rate. Late filing penalty is the greater of 5% of the tax due or $50.00 for each month the return is late, up to a maximum of 50% of the tax due or $500, even if the late-filed return results in a refund.

Will the IRS offset my state refund?

Under the State Income Tax Levy Program, the IRS can levy (take) your state tax refund to offset back taxes, addressing any tax debt you might owe. If this happens, the state will give you notice of the levy. The IRS will also give a notice, after the levy, offering you the opportunity to appeal the debt offset.

Is Ohio a tax lien state?

The State of Ohio can obtain a judgment lien against a taxpayer when a tax has been assessed, but has not been paid and is past due. A judgment lien attaches to a taxpayer's real property when the state of Ohio obtains a judgment against a taxpayer in the Common Pleas Court where the taxpayer resides.

Who collects debt in Ohio?

The Collections Enforcement Section is responsible for collecting outstanding debt owed to the State of Ohio for state agencies, institutions, boards, commissions, public university and hospitals, and local government entities.

What is collection enforcement in Ohio?

Collections Enforcement interprets and enforces the state’s debt collection laws and is committed to provide quality collection services for the State of Ohio and to assist individuals and businesses seeking to resolve their financial obligations to the State by working matters internally or by working with private collection entities. It operates the “ Offer in Compromise ” program which allows debtors to settle with the state. Collections Enforcement offers taxpayers, who have had their income tax refund taken to pay off a state debt, the ability to make a written “ Request For Administrative Review of Income Tax Refund Offset”.

Is there a walk in tax office in Cincinnati?

Taxpayer walk-in services are currently NOT available in the Cincinnati regional office. Once the office moves/construction is complete in our Cincinnati regional office we will resume those services and update the website.

Can you pay Ohio debt online?

The Attorney General's office has created a quick, safe, and reliable service that allows citizens to pay outstanding debts to the State of Ohio online. Under Ohio law, state agencies turn over their outstanding accounts to the Attorney General's office for collection. You can use this site to safely and confidentially pay outstanding obligations that have been certified to the Attorney General's office. It is our aim to make payment as convenient as possible.

Who collects debt in Ohio?

The Ohio Attorney General's Office (AGO) has the authority by law to collect debt owed to the state. The Collections Enforcement Section is responsible for collecting outstanding debt owed to the State of Ohio for state agencies, institutions, boards, commissions, public university and hospitals, and local government entities.

What is collection enforcement in Ohio?

Collections Enforcement interprets and enforces the state’s debt collection laws and is committed to provide quality collection services for the State of Ohio and to assist individuals and businesses seeking to resolve their financial obligations to the State by working matters internally or by working with private collection entities. It operates the " Offer in Compromise " program which allows debtors to settle with the state. Collections Enforcement offers taxpayers, who have had their income tax refund taken to pay off a state debt, the ability to make a written " Request For Administrative Review of Income Tax Refund Offset ".

What is the AGO service?

The AGO has created a quick, safe, and reliable service that allows citizens to pay outstanding debts to the State of Ohio online. Under Ohio law, state agencies turn over their outstanding accounts to the Attorney General's office for collection. You can use this site to safely and confidently pay outstanding obligations that have been certified to the Attorney General's office. It is our aim to make payment as convenient as possible.

What is the phone number for AGO collections?

Additionally, you can access an on-line payment system 24/7 or contact Collections Enforcement Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 888-301-8885. If visiting the AGO Collections Enforcement section in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo or Youngstown, valid photo identification is required to be able to access the floor.

Where is the amount reported on Ohio 1040?

Enter the amount reported on line 13 of the Ohio IT 1040.

Who is responsible for offsetting your tax refund?

While the Department of Taxation is responsible for offsetting your refund, the debt is actually owed to another agency. You must contact that agency to resolve any discrepancies.

What is offset tax in Ohio?

The Ohio Department of Taxation is authorized to offset all or a portion of a taxpayer's income tax refund to be applied towards any unpaid tax. Additionally, the Department is required to offset a taxpayer's refund as partial payment of any debt (s) reported by the following agencies: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

How to contact the Department of Taxation?

Taxpayers with additional questions on this subject may contact the Department of Taxation by email or by calling 1-800-282-1780 (1-800-750-0750 for persons who use text telephones (TTYs) or adaptive telephone equipment). NLS, NLS Worksheet.

Where to enter non-liable spouse on Ohio 1040?

Enter the non-liable spouse's portion of line 2a of the Ohio IT 1040.

Is the Department of Taxation responsible for offsetting your refund?

While the Department of Taxation is responsible for offsetting your refund, the debt is actually owed to another agency. You must contact that agency to resolve any discrepancies. If your refund is greater than the total outstanding debt, it will be applied to the debt and you will receive the balance. Otherwise, your entire refund will be applied ...

How to contact Ohio tax office?

For debt related to federal taxes, call 1-800-829-1040. Ohio Attorney General’s Office. For debts collected by the Ohio Attorney General, call 1-877-607-6400 or 1-800-282-0515. 5 When will the offset be applied to the debt (s) listed on the Ohio Income Tax Refund Offset letter?

What is offset letter for Ohio?

There are two types of Ohio Income Tax Refund Offset letters. If you receive a “proposed” offset letter, you have the opportunity to contest all or a portion of the proposed offset (s) by submitting the Ohio Non-Liable Spouse worksheet and supporting documentation. If you do not respond to the proposed offset letter or you did not receive a proposed offset letter, your refund will be offset against the debt (s) listed.

What is a tax worksheet in Ohio?

The worksheet uses your Ohio taxable income and Ohio income tax withholding and/or estimated payments to calculate your portion of the refund. You must submit the completed worksheet and supporting documentation by the date listed on the notice by either:

How long does it take to get Ohio tax refund?

You will generally receive any refund not subject to offset within 60 days of the date of the Ohio Income Tax Refund Offset letter. However, you can potentially receive your refund sooner by notifying the Department of Taxation that you agree with the offset as shown on the letter.

Can you get a refund if you are not liable for Ohio taxes?

If you are not liable for any or all of the debt (s) listed on the Ohio Income Tax Refund Offset letter, you may be entitled to all or a portion of your refund. In this case, you will have received a “proposed” Ohio Income Tax Refund Offset letter, which includes the Ohio Non-Liable Spouse worksheet. The Department of Taxation provides an electronic version of the worksheet and its instructions.

Who is responsible for offsetting your tax refund?

While the Department of Taxation is responsible for offsetting your refund, the debt is actually owed to another agency. That agency has provided information to the Department indicating that a balance is still due. You must contact that agency to resolve the discrepancy and/or obtain your refund.

Can you submit a non-liable spouse worksheet in Ohio?

No. The Non-Liable Spouse worksheet must be submitted in response to the Ohio Income Tax Refund Offset letter. Please do not submit the worksheet prior to receiving the offset letter (i.e. with your Ohio IT 1040).

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