Ohio Code 718.93 – Examination of records and other documents and persons
(A) The tax commissioner, or any authorized agent or employee thereof, may examine the books, papers, records, and federal and state income tax returns of any taxpayer or other person that is subject to sections 718.80 to 718.95 of the Revised Code for the purpose of verifying the accuracy of any return made or, if no return was filed, to ascertain the tax due as required under those sections. Upon written request by the commissioner or a duly authorized agent or employee thereof, every taxpayer or other person subject to this section is required to furnish the opportunity for the commissioner, authorized agent, or employee to investigate and examine such books, papers, records, and federal and state income tax returns at a reasonable time and place designated in the request.
Terms Used In Ohio Code 718.93
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Employee: means an individual who is an employee for federal income tax purposes. See Ohio Code 718.01
- in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures; this provision does not affect any law relating to signatures. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Income: means the following:
(1)(a) For residents, all income, salaries, qualifying wages, commissions, and other compensation from whatever source earned or received by the resident, including the resident's distributive share of the net profit of pass-through entities owned directly or indirectly by the resident and any net profit of the resident, except as provided in division (D)(5) of this section. See Ohio Code 718.01
- Person: includes individuals, firms, companies, joint stock companies, business trusts, estates, trusts, partnerships, limited liability partnerships, limited liability companies, associations, C corporations, S corporations, governmental entities, and any other entity. See Ohio Code 718.01
- state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Tax commissioner: means the tax commissioner appointed under section 121. See Ohio Code 718.01
- Taxable year: means the corresponding tax reporting period as prescribed for the taxpayer under the Internal Revenue Code. See Ohio Code 718.01
- Taxpayer: means a person subject to a tax levied on income by a municipal corporation in accordance with this chapter. See Ohio Code 718.01
(B) The records and other documents of any taxpayer or other person that is subject to sections 718.80 to 718.95 of the Revised Code shall be open to the tax commissioner’s inspection during business hours and shall be preserved for a period of six years following the end of the taxable year to which the records or documents relate, unless the commissioner, in writing, consents to their destruction within that period, or by order requires that they be kept longer. The commissioner may require any person, by notice served on that person, to keep such records as the commissioner determines necessary to show whether or not that person is liable, and the extent of such liability, for the income tax levied by a municipal corporation.
(C) The tax commissioner may examine under oath any person that the commissioner reasonably believes has knowledge concerning any income that was or would have been returned for taxation or any transaction tending to affect such income. The commissioner may, for this purpose, compel any such person to attend a hearing or examination and to produce any books, papers, records, and federal income tax returns in such person’s possession or control. The person may be assisted or represented by an attorney, accountant, bookkeeper, or other tax practitioner at any such hearing or examination. This division does not authorize the practice of law by a person who is not an attorney.
(D) No person issued written notice by the tax commissioner compelling attendance at a hearing or examination or the production of books, papers, records, or federal income tax returns under this section shall fail to comply.