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Ohio Department of Taxation Scannable Tax Forms
1. Introduction:
The Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT) prescribes the format of Ohio tax returns and forms. The
department’s primary objective is to ensure that the tax forms are compatible with the department’s
automated remittance processing systems and can be processed in an effi cient, accurate and
economical manner.
These guidelines are for computerized tax processors, software developers, computer programmers,
commercial printers, and others who develop and use substitute and reproduced tax forms.
2. Defi nitions:
2.01 Substitute Tax Forms –
A form other than the offi cial ODT form that is computer-produced, computer-programmed
or commercially typeset and printed. ODT must be able to process substitute tax forms in the
same manner as the offi cial forms. Substitute tax forms that are electronically produced must
duplicate the appearance and layout of the offi cial form including size of margins, special
keying symbols and line numbers.
2.02 Facsimile (Text Mode) Forms–
For fi ling purposes, ODT does not accept dot matrix facsimile signature returns and schedules.
They do not contain the data-entry symbols and other requirements necessary for processing.
Companies must clearly print in the top margin of electronically processed text mode forms:
“DO NOT FILE THIS FORM.”
2.03 Scannable Tax Forms –
The computer-prepared scannable forms are similar to the offi cial ODT tax forms with the
following exceptions: 1) the taxpayer-entity information layout and 2) a scanline that contains
the taxpayers’ tax data.
2.04 Reproduced Tax Forms –
Reproduced tax forms are photocopies of the offi cial ODT forms. ODT will accept
reproductions of offi cial forms if the reproductions are:
1) Facsimiles of the offi cial form produced by photo-offset, photoengraving, photocopying or
other similar reproduction processes;
2) Printed in black ink on white paper of substantially the same weight, texture and quality as
the offi cial forms;
3) Legible in both the original text of the form and the fi lled-in data; AND
4) The same dimensions as the offi cial form, including the paper and the image produced on it.
ODT will accept one-sided reproduced forms even if the offi cial form is two-sided. However,
ODT prefers two-sided reproduced forms that result in the same page arrangements as the
offi cial form. You may not fi le reproduced tax forms that do not meet the preceding guidelines.
Reproduced tax forms that deviate from the offi cial forms are considered substitute tax forms.
2.05 ID Field –
The area where the name, address, account number/Social Security number (SSN) are printed.
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