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Senate sponsors pitch phased-in flat tax as economic boost; lawmakers press fiscal trade-offs
Summary
Senators presented Senate Bill 3 to the Senate Ways and Means Committee proposing a phased-in flat personal income tax for tax years 2025–2026. Sponsors argued it will spur business growth and population gains; other senators questioned revenue loss, local tax shifting and whether the change benefits middle- and lower-income Ohioans.
Senators on the Ohio Senate Ways and Means Committee heard sponsor testimony Thursday on Senate Bill 3, legislation that would enact a statewide flat personal income tax phased in across tax years 2025 and 2026.
The bill’s sponsors told the committee they expect the flat tax to spur business formation and attract residents and employers to the state. “This bill seeks to enact a flat tax that will be phased in over the next 2 years. Tax years 2025 and tax years 2026,” Senator Lang said in opening remarks. He and joint sponsor Senator Huffman framed the proposal as part of a multi-year effort to simplify Ohio’s tax code and compete with neighboring low-tax states.
Supporters told the committee they view the change as an economic development tool. “This bill will make Ohio an important economic model…
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