Insights & Updates
If you live in the Westerville City School District, a new tax is now in effect. As of January 1, 2026, the district began collecting a 0.75% earned income tax.
This tax applies to wages, salaries, tips, and self-employment income. However, it does not apply to Social Security benefits, pensions, unemployment compensation, interest, dividends, capital gains, or business pass-through income that doesn't qualify as self-employment income. It's also worth noting that this is a resident tax: it applies to people who live in the district, not to businesses located within it.
If you're a W-2 employee, check your pay stub to confirm your employer is withholding the tax. Don't assume it's happening automatically. Catching a withholding gap now is much easier than dealing with it at tax time. If you're self-employed, we factored estimated tax payments for this obligation into your 2025 return preparation.
It May Be Time to Revisit Your Withholdings
Our general philosophy is to help clients get as close to a $0 refund as possible. A large refund might feel like a bonus, but it really means the government has been holding onto your money all year—money that could have been sitting in an investment account earning interest for you instead. On the flip side, a surprise tax bill can cause real stress on your budget. Finding that middle ground means more control over your cash flow year-round.
If you owed this year, or received a much larger refund than expected, we'd love to sit down with you to review your withholdings and talk through any other tax planning opportunities. Reach out to our office to schedule a time; a little planning now can make next April a lot smoother.
Here's How to Check Your Refund Status
Tax season is behind us—but if your refund hasn't arrived yet, you're not alone. Processing times can vary depending on how your return was filed, whether any corrections were needed, and the current volume at the IRS or Ohio Department of Taxation.
The good news: you don't have to wonder. Here are quick, easy tools you can use to check your refund status right now.
Where’s My Amended Return? (federal)
Ampersand header image courtesy of John Weber