Ohio Fails to Return Millions in Business Tax Overpayments

Even when companies properly requested the money back

Ohio wrongfully failed to return more than $30 million in business tax refunds to companies that properly requested the money, the state watchdog said in a report released Thursday.

The Ohio Inspector General found that $34 million in requested refunds dating back several years were placed on pending status and therefore not paid out, according to the report, which said the practice violates Ohio tax law and dates to at least 1999.

"For years, the Ohio Department of Taxation has ignored the fact that they are holding taxpayer money that doesn't belong to the state," Inspector General Randy Meyer said in a statement.