1.      Is your E-File service free?

Yes.  E-File also provides such benefits as:
           ·        A simple step-by-step calculation of taxes or refunds
           ·        Ability to pay electronically using major credit cards or ACH debit
           ·        Delay payment of taxes – file as early as you like and set up an ACH payment anytime before April 15th
           ·        Paperless returns
           ·        Immediate confirmation
           ·        Faster refunds

2.      Do I need to register with RITA or do I need to enroll to E-File? 

Any individual or business that has an existing account with RITA is eligible for E-filing.  If you have an EXISTING account, you would need to go to the enroll page and follow the prompts to create your E-file credentials, such as your password, and challenge question and answer.

If you are new to a RITA city, or do not have an existing account, you need to register with RITA to become active in our system in order to use E-file services. Click on register follow the prompts and enter the information and in 24-48 hours you will have an active account with RITA.  After the account is active, you can come back to the web site and then you would enroll for E-file services.

3.      How long will it take me to receive a password from RITA so that I may E-File?         

You create your own password and challenge question and answer when you enroll to use E-services. As soon as you have entered and submitted all the information requested on the enrollment screen, your new E-Service credentials are created and you can use any of the E-Services immediately. 

4.      What should I do if I forgot my E-File password or if my E-File password is not accepted?

When you enroll  in RITA E-Services, you are asked to provide a challenge question and answer, and your Email address.  On the login screen just below the box where you enter your password is a link to a forgotten password screen. Once there, you will be prompted to answer your challenge question.  If you answer the challenge question correctly, you will be taken to a new page where you will have the ability to reset your password.  If you cannot remember the answer to your challenge question, or the answer is not entered correctly (it is case sensitive and must match what we have on file exactly), there is a link provided under the challenge question answer box to have an email sent to you to reset the password.  In the email there is a link which takes you to the password reset screen, and you will then be able to reset the password and use E-services.

5.      Can I file electronically if I was a part-year resident and do not have an account with RITA?

Yes you can file electronically as a part year resident.  In order to use any E-services with RITA however, you must have an active account in the RITA system.  In order to create this account, you would need to register on the web site, then in 24-48 hours your account will be active and you will be eligible to use all RITA E-services.

6.      Do I also need to mail RITA a paper filing after I transmit an E-File?

No, you do not need to file a paper return after you have submitted your E-File.

7.      Can I file electronically through Turbo Tax?

No, currently RITA does not accept electronic filing through Turbo Tax. 

8.      I filed electronically through a tax preparation service and I received a confirmation number that my RITA return was filed electronically, yet when I called RITA to validate receipt of my electronically filed return, RITA was unable to confirm that my return was filed.  Why? 

If you filed electronically through a source other than our web site (www.ritaohio.com), please allow 4-6 weeks for your return to be reflected on your account.

9.      My electronic filing was aborted and the message appeared to contact RITA.  What RITA phone number do I need to call?

You can contact RITA at any of the phone numbers listed on our contact RITA page between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

10.  Does E-File automatically consider the total estimated payments and carry-forward credits I have available to apply to my current year tax filing?

Yes, E-file automatically accounts for your total estimated payments and carry-forward credits and deducts them from the tax due before computing your balance due or overpayment.

11.  How long does it take for an E-Payment to process?

An e-payment can be made ONLY via ACH debit from your checking or savings account.  The normal time for a payment made through e-payment to post to your account is 3-4 business days.

12.  After entering all the information RITA requested during the E-File process, I have a tax liability (amount due) to RITA.  I can’t pay the tax liability right now, but I want to E-File.  Will RITA accept my E-File and bill me for the tax due?

No. Payment must either be made in full when the form is submitted, or deferred to a date no later than April 15.  Forms with tax due cannot be submitted without payment.

13.  I made a mistake and entered incorrect information during the E-File process and I already transmitted my filing and received a confirmation.  Can I amend that E-Filed return by E-Filing again?

No.  All amended returns must be submitted on a paper form, with all supporting documentation attached.

14.  During the E-File process, I received the following message from RITA:

“You are not required to file with RITA: Based on the information that you provided, you do not have to file your return with RITA.  Please file your local taxes with the appropriate municipality.  If you feel that you need to file a return with RITA or you received this message in error, please file on a paper return.” I reside in a RITA member city (Upper Arlington).  During the E-File process, I entered my mailing address city (Columbus: non-RITA city) when asked for my city of residence.  I recently received an administrative subpoena from RITA advising me that I’m required to file a RITA return as an Upper Arlington resident, yet when I tried to E-file months ago, RITA advised me that I was “not required to file”. 

Do I need to enter my “actual city of residence” instead of my “mailing address city” during the E-File process in order to E-File?

Yes.  In order for E-file to compute your tax accurately, you must ALWAYS use your actual municipality of residence, not your mailing municipality.