HB 602 Summary

• Creates a refundable income tax credit for taxpayers who purchase essential goods and services within 30 days after the governor declares an emergency resulting from a disaster.

• The credit equals the total amount of state, county, or transit authority sales and use tax paid on qualifying purchases, and any excess amount is refunded to the taxpayer.

• Defines "essential goods and services" to include items necessary to preserve life, health, or safety after a disaster, such as generators, batteries, water storage containers, clothing, bedding, building materials, and lodging services, but excludes firearms and ammunition.

• Establishes the disaster tax credit as the 39th credit in the order of tax credits claimed under Ohio's income tax code.

• Defines "disaster" using the same meaning as in Ohio Revised Code section 5502.21.