Learn About Use Tax Amnesty On Rea’s Mobile Website

Nov. 4, 2011 - PRLog -- Rea & Associates, a regional accounting and business consulting firm, has created a the first of its kind mobile website to assist businesses and individuals in understanding and complying with Ohio’s use tax law – including how they can save interest and penalties by coming forward voluntarily though an amnesty program that began October 1.

“We are pleased to offer Ohio businesses a cutting edge resource on Ohio use tax in a format that is convenient for people who access the web through a mobile device,” said Katie Tolin, Rea’s marketing director. “Although mobile websites have been around for a while in many industries, they have not been embraced as quickly in service industries such as accounting.”

Visitors to the new website can take a quiz to determine if they may have use tax liability. The site also explains when use tax is due, how businesses can comply and provides details on the State of Ohio’s new use tax amnesty program. To access the site, users should go to http://www.ReaCPA.com using their mobile device. “Those people who would prefer to learn about use tax on their desktop or laptop computer can find the same information in the Ohio Use Tax Resource Center at http://www.ReaCPA.com/ohiousetax-1.

“The use tax amnesty program is a tremendous, one-time opportunity for businesses,” said Tolin. “Business owners and busy people and are often away from their computers. We wanted to make sure they could access information about use tax and amnesty wherever they were, whenever they need it.”

Use tax is a sales tax that wasn’t paid, but should have been, on taxable property or services a business purchased. It is a complement to the state’s sales tax, and most often occurs when a business purchases goods in-state, out-of-state or over the internet, and the retailer does not collect Ohio tax. Use tax applies to all businesses, regardless of size, as well as individuals that purchase taxable property or services.

The Ohio Department of Taxation has been stepping up its efforts to enforce Ohio’s use tax law, and is offering amnesty for businesses that come forward, self-report and pay their use tax. In return, the state will forgive use tax liabilities prior to January 1, 2009, which could be a substantial savings for many taxpayers. The state estimates that 380,000 businesses do not have use tax accounts and may be in violation of use tax laws.

“By putting information at people’s fingertips in a format they can easily navigate, we aim to educate them on this important issue that will impact so many Ohio businesses,” Tolin said.

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Founded in 1938, Rea & Associates, Inc. is a regional certified public accounting and consulting firm with more than 200 dedicated professionals in 11 Ohio locations. Rea & Associates provides accounting, audit, tax, and business consulting services to clients in a wide variety of industries, including closely-held businesses, construction, government, healthcare manufacturing and not-for-profit. The firm has been named a Top 100 accounting firm by Inside Public Accounting. And as an independent firm associated with Moore Stephens International Limited, Rea & Associates has access to more than 366 independent accounting and consulting firms across 647 offices in 98 countries, enabling the firm to provide global reach with a local perspective. For more information about Rea & Associates, please call 877-473-2272 or visit www.reacpa.com.