2025 Ohio Tax Brackets
Ohio simplified its tax structure in recent years, reducing to just 3 brackets with a generous zero-rate bracket. The first $26,050 of taxable income is completely exempt from Ohio income tax.
| Tax Rate | Taxable Income Range |
|---|---|
| 0% | $0 – $26,050 |
| 2.765% | $26,050 – $100,000 |
| 3.688% | Over $100,000 |
This structure means a single filer earning $50,000 only pays tax on $23,950 ($50,000 minus $26,050), resulting in approximately $662 in state tax — an effective rate of just 1.3%. Even a filer earning $100,000 pays only about $2,044, for an effective rate of 2.0%.
| Gross Income | OH Taxable Amount | OH State Tax | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $26,050 or less | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| $50,000 | $23,950 | $662 | 1.3% |
| $75,000 | $48,950 | $1,354 | 1.8% |
| $100,000 | $73,950 | $2,044 | 2.0% |
| $150,000 | $123,950 | $3,888 | 2.6% |
Ohio Municipal Income Taxes
Like Pennsylvania, Ohio allows cities and school districts to levy their own income taxes. These local taxes can add significantly to your total tax burden depending on where you live and work.
| City | Municipal Tax Rate | Credit for Taxes Paid Elsewhere |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 2.5% | Full credit up to 2.5% |
| Cleveland | 2.5% | Full credit up to 2.5% |
| Cincinnati | 1.8% | Full credit up to 1.8% |
| Dayton | 2.5% | Full credit up to 2.5% |
| Toledo | 2.5% | Full credit up to 2.5% |
If you live and work in the same city, you pay that city's rate once. If you live in one city and work in another, you may owe tax to both, but most cities provide a credit for taxes paid to your work city. Some Ohio school districts impose an additional 0.5%–2% tax as well.
Ohio Tax Credits
Ohio offers several credits that can further reduce your state tax. The Retirement Income Credit provides up to $200 for taxpayers receiving retirement income. The Senior Citizen Credit is $50 for taxpayers aged 65 or older with Ohio AGI of $100,000 or less. The Lump Sum Retirement Credit applies to lump-sum retirement distributions. Ohio also provides a Joint Filing Credit for married couples filing jointly, worth up to $650 based on Ohio taxable income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ohio has a progressive system with 3 brackets. Income up to $26,050 is tax-free (0% rate). Income from $26,050 to $100,000 is taxed at 2.765%, and income over $100,000 is taxed at 3.688%.
No, but the first $26,050 of income is effectively tax-free for all filers due to the 0% bracket. This functions similarly to a built-in deduction.
Ohio provides a retirement income credit of up to $200 for taxpayers with retirement income. Social Security benefits are not taxed by Ohio. Additionally, Ohio offers a senior citizen credit for taxpayers 65 and older.
Yes. Many Ohio cities and school districts impose their own municipal income taxes, typically ranging from 1% to 3%. The City of Columbus charges 2.5%, Cleveland charges 2.5%, and Cincinnati charges 1.8%.
Some Ohio school districts impose an additional income tax, which can be either an earned income tax or a traditional tax on all income. Rates vary by district, typically between 0.5% and 2%. You can check your district's rate on the Ohio Department of Taxation website.
Ohio's $26,050 zero-bracket is effectively a built-in tax exemption for low and moderate-income earners. A single filer earning $26,050 or less pays zero Ohio income tax. This is more generous than most states — for comparison, Illinois taxes from the first dollar with no deduction.