How Taxes Affect Ohioans on April 15 and Beyond

This year, the Trump White House had plenty of benefits to tout for Americans on Tax Day, namely through the Working Families Tax Cuts from last July. For Ohioans, the issue goes beyond April 15, with the potential to affect closely watched races for the midterms.

How Did Ohioans Benefit?

The average tax refund is $3,308 for Ohioans, with that number being higher or lower depending on one’s income. A majority of Ohioans who filed, 71.6%, will receive a refund.

Ohioans also benefit from Trump campaign promises, including no taxes on overtime, which benefits 24% of Ohioans, and no taxes on Social Security, which benefits around 2.1 million seniors in the Buckeye State.

The Working Families Tax Cuts were championed by Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio., who frequently posts on X about such relief, especially in light of Tax Day and benefits for everyday Ohioans.

In a second post about tax cuts this week, Husted reaffirmed his support for President Donald Trump’s policy.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, addressed these benefits in a Wednesday press conference, highlighting tax relief as a matter of “contrast” between the two parties.

Moreno referred to April 15 as a “religious holiday” for Democrats, adding they were “a little less happy than they would have been” because of tax relief, for which he thanked President Donald Trump and Republicans.

Moreno also argued that Republicans remain committed to tax relief.

“Republicans have stayed true to our focus: low taxes, low regulations, small government,” he said.

“[We] added a critical component, which is a laser focus on helping the men and women who build this country every day. And I am so proud of the fact that it took only Republicans to get this bill across the finish line, and we delivered for working families,” Moreno said.

Taxes and the Midterms

The National Republican Congressional Committee saw Tax Day as an opportunity to go after Rep. Marcy Kaptur’s record. The 22-term Democrat represents Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.

An ad campaign highlighted Kaptur’s voting record, calling on viewers to “remember who made [Tax Day] worse.” The ad likened Kaptur to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., while drawing a contrast between Democrats and Republicans on the issue.

“While Republicans fought to protect your hard-earned paychecks, Marcy Kaptur voted for the largest hike since WWII. Marcy Kaptur sided with Bernie and AOC against critical tax relief for you, higher costs, less freedom, more pressure on you. Marcy Kaptur voted for higher taxes and voted to make your life harder,” a narrator declared.

The NRCC also used Tax Day to call for Ohioans to vote Kaptur out of office.

“For 40 years, out-of-touch Democrat Marcy Kaptur has voted to increase taxes on hardworking Ohioans. Kaptur’s radical agenda of ever-increasing taxes is one of many reasons she will lose her seat this fall,” NRCC spokesperson Zach Bannon said in a statement to The Daily Signal.

In a statement to The Daily Signal, the Kaptur campaign defended the congresswoman’s record.

“Congresswoman Kaptur has fought hard for tax relief for seniors and parents. Her priority is always fighting to put money back into the pockets of Northwest Ohio families,” a campaign spokesperson said.

“Right now, those same hardworking families are paying an additional $3,200 a year because of reckless across-the-board tariffs and the War of choice in Iran sending gasoline soaring over $4 a gallon, and diesel up well over $5.50.”

Her campaign also took issue with tax breaks: “Marcy voted to cap insulin at $35 and let Medicare negotiate drug prices. She voted against the massive permanent tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans, that cut Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and funding for rural hospitals to pay for it. Marcy Kaptur will always fight to make sure Northwest Ohio’s families don’t pick up the bill for the GOP’s Billionaire donors.”

Under Ohio’s newly drawn district maps for 2026, Kaptur is regarded as a vulnerable incumbent as she runs for reelection in a district more favorable to Republicans. She won by 0.7% in 2024.

The race for Ohio’s 9th is regarded as a “Toss-Up,” as is Husted’s race.

RNC Spokesman Hunter Lovell addressed these races and more in a statement for The Daily Signal.

“President Trump and Senator Jon Husted’s Working Families Tax Cuts are a home run for Ohioans, who are keeping more of their hard-earned money on Tax Day. Even after four years of sky-high Bidenflation, Marcy Kaptur and Greg Landsman fought to block the largest tax cuts in history, proving Democrats would rather raise taxes than help Americans get ahead,” he said.

Americans for Action Prosperity Action also touted the senator’s relief plans over X. The group endorsed Husted last month.

What’s Next for Taxes in Ohio?

In Ohio, the state Legislature has made taxes a priority issue for some time.

The state has made progress on taxes in other ways, including with a 2.75% flat tax passed by the state Legislature. That resulted in Ohio moving up from the 25th to the 15th spot in the “Rich States, Poor States” index by the American Legislative Exchange Council, making it the largest jump on the list from last year to this year.

A Tax Day statement from Americans for Prosperity-Ohio’s State Director Donovan O’Neil highlighted this jump and praised the new tax rate. “Our massive jump in economic competitiveness this year shows that bold tax reforms like a low, flat income tax empowers citizens, families, and businesses to thrive,” he said, adding that his organization “fought for years to protect Ohioans from burdensome income taxes.”

Addressing the property tax has been of particular importance for Prosperity for Us, a group that focuses on state ballot initiatives as a way to build a “state-based citizen initiative movement to restore and ensure prosperity and increased financial ability for Americans.” This includes Ohio.

This and other groups, such as the Committee to Abolish Ohio Property Taxes, are backing a ballot initiative to eliminate property taxes in Ohio. Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, has warned that passage could result in Ohio having to adopt up to a potential 20% sales tax to make up for lost revenue.

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