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Tax Filing: FAQs

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1. Where can I get the latest filing information and tax forms?

News bulletins regarding Tax Department operations can be found under Springboro News on our home page.
For forms, filing tools, and appointment scheduling, visit our Tax Services page.

2. What is the deadline for filing my 2020 Springboro return?

June 4, 2021

3. I'm retired. Do I need to file?

If you are permanently retired and your only source of income is from pensions, Social Security benefits, IRAs, or investments, file an Exemption Form. We will inactivate your account and you will no longer be expected to file an annual return with the City.

4. I'm disabled. Do I need to file?

If you are permanently disabled and your only source of income is from disability benefits, pensions, IRA’s or investments, file an Exemption Form. We will inactivate your account and you will no longer be expected to file an annual return with the City.

5. I didn't have any taxable income last year. Do I need to file?

If you had no taxable income during the year, but are not permanently retired or disabled, file a “No Income” return, verifying that you had no taxable income.

6. Do I need to file a return if I'm a minor?

If you are under the age of 18, you do not need to file a return.

7. I'm a college student living on campus, but I come home to Springboro during school breaks. Do I need to file a return?

You do not need to file a return if you are a college student living away from home during the school year. We do, however, ask you to contact our Tax Department at 937-748-9701 to advise us of your circumstances; otherwise we may follow-up with you to request a return.

8. I moved during the year. What is my filing requirement?

If you lived in the City of Springboro for more than 30 days, you will need to file a return and pay tax on the income you earned during the period of time you were a City resident.

9. Are unemployment benefits taxable?

No. Unemployment benefits are not taxable to the city. For a list of common sources of taxable and non-taxable income, please refer to questions 18 & 19.

10. Which form should I use to file my return?

We have tax two forms available to download. We recommend you use the EZ Form if you are a full-year resident with only wage income. If you are a part-year resident or have income from sources other than wages (e.g., self-employment, rental income, partnership income, gambling winnings) you should complete our traditional Individual Income Tax Return.

11. What documents do I need to include with my return?

Most people will only need to provide copies of their W-2s and the first page of their Federal Form 1040. BUT, if you filed any of the following Schedules/Forms with your Federal return, we will need a copy of them as well: Schedule 1, Schedule C, Schedule E, Form 4797, Schedule F.

12. I've completed my tax return. Can I submit electronically?

Yes, by uploading it to our Electronic Dropbox.

13. Does the City have software I can use to both prepare and file my return online?

Not right now, but we’re working on it. The City is developing an exciting new electronic preparation/filing option called LIME (Local Income-tax Made Easy). This innovative new web application will allow users to upload a few documents and sit back while the system prepares their return for them. Once LIME completes the return, the user can electronically sign it and pay any balance due right from within the application. We expect LIME to be available later in 2021.  In the meantime:

If you used the City’s former online tax-preparation software in the past, and want help with this year’s return, please take advantage of one of the filing options outlined below.

If you have prepared your own return and want to file it electronically, just upload the return and supporting documents to our Electronic Dropbox.

14. Will the Tax Office be open this season for in-person tax filing?

The Department will be open for in-person filing by appointment only. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. You can schedule an appointment online, or call us at 937-748-9701.

15. Can I make a virtual tax appointment through Zoom?

Yes. You can still set up a Zoom appointment with a Springboro tax preparer. And, if you provide your tax documents in advance of the virtual appointment, we can prepare your return and use the meeting time to explain the results. Appointments can be scheduled online or by calling us at 937-748-9701.

16. I'm not comfortable using Zoom or going into the City building. How can I get help preparing my tax return?

Provide us with your W-2’s, a copy of the first page of your Federal Form 1040, and any of the following Federal Schedules/Forms you may have filed: Schedule C, Schedule E, Form 4797, Schedule F. We’ll prepare the return and send it to you for review and signature. You can submit your documents to us one of three ways:

(1) Via mail to Springboro Income Tax Department, 320 W Central Ave, Springboro, OH 45066
(2) Via a physical drop box at the City Building. One is located in the parking lot of the City Building (near the library); the other is located in the City Building entry way.
(3) By uploading your forms to our Electronic Dropbox

Please be sure to include contact information with your request so that we can follow-up with you if we have questions.

17. I have questions about how to complete my tax forms. What should I do?

Please call our department at 937-748-9701 Monday through Friday from 8 AM - 4:30 PM. If a staff member is not immediately available, someone from the department will typically get back to you the same business day.

18. What income is taxable in the City of Springboro?

Following is a list of the most common sources of taxable income. If you have questions about other income sources, feel free to call us at 937-748-9701.

• Wages, salaries and other compensation
• Bonuses, stipends and tip income
• Employee contributions to retirement plans and tax-deferred annuity plans
• Net profits from self-employment (Schedule C)
• Net rental income (Schedule E)
• Net farm income (Schedule F)
• Ordinary gains reported on Federal form 4797
• Income from partnerships, estates or trusts (Schedule E-2)
• Gambling/lottery winnings
• Jury duty pay
•  Executor fees

19. What income is not taxable to the City of Springboro?

Following is a list of the most common sources of non-taxable income. If you have questions about other income sources, feel free to call us at 937-748-9701.

• Investment income such as interest, dividends and capital gains
• Social Security benefits
• Retirement income from pensions, annuities and IRA distributions
• State unemployment benefits
• Worker’s compensation
• Alimony and child support
• Proceeds from life insurance
• Third-party sick pay
• Active-duty military pay
• Income earned by any active-duty military member or his/her spouse whose home of record is not Springboro (Note: to claim this exemption, file our Military Exemption Form.
• Income under $1,000 from the Board of Elections for polling-place work
• Royalties from intangible income sources
• Housing allowances provided to clergy—to the extent the allowance is used to provide a home

20. I have a balance due on my tax return. How can I pay it?

By check. Make your check payable to the City of Springboro and mail it to us at City of Springboro Income Tax Department, 320 W Central Ave, Springboro, OH  45066. Or, use a City dropbox to submit your payment. (One is located in the parking lot of the City Building, near the library; the other is located in the City Building entryway.) In the memo line of your check, be sure to note your tax account number or Social Security Number and designate “2020 tax payment.”

By credit or debit card. From the home page of our Web site select “Pay Online” and follow the instructions to pay using your credit or debit card. There is no fee for this service. Or, feel free to call our office at 937-748-9701 and we can take your credit/debit card payment over the phone.

21. I'm unable to pay my balance due. Is it possible to set up a payment plan?

In order to set up a payment plan, you must be current in filing all outstanding returns. If you cannot pay your balance due on one or more of those returns and would like to make monthly payments, we can set up a payment plan for you. Your monthly payments must be automatically deducted from a checking or savings account. You may choose to have deductions occur on either the 5th or 20th of each month. To speak with a staff member about payment-plan options, contact us at 937-748-9701.

22. When can I expect my tax refund?

Your refund will generally be sent to you within 30 days of filing your return.