Nationwide  Specialists in foreign-seller real estate withholding
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FIRPTA in Ohio

Foreign-seller closings in Ohio.

Ohio: federal FIRPTA at closing, state tax via return. We handle the federal piece end-to-end for sellers, buyers, and Ohio closing agents, with same-day intake response on every deal.

Why Ohio is different

Federal FIRPTA at closing. State tax via return.

Ohio has individual income tax but does not collect it at the closing table. A foreign seller closing in Ohio pays only the federal FIRPTA 15% at closing — the state tax on the gain is paid later, via the Ohio nonresident return filed in the year following the sale.

This is a common source of seller surprise: the closing statement shows only federal FIRPTA, then the state return arrives the next April with an additional liability the seller didn't budget for. We brief every Ohio foreign-seller client on the state-return timing before closing so the cash flow planning is accurate.

Cities served

Ohio statewide. Same-day intake response.

FIRPTA is federal — every Form 8288, 8288-A, and 8288-B routes to the IRS Ogden Service Center regardless of property location. We coordinate with Ohio title companies, closing attorneys, and foreign sellers across:

  • Cleveland
  • Columbus
  • Cincinnati
  • Akron
  • Toledo
Common questions

Ohio FIRPTA FAQ.

Does Ohio have its own state-level withholding on top of FIRPTA?

No closing-table withholding. Ohio has individual income tax but does not collect it from the closing proceeds. The foreign seller files a nonresident return in Ohio the year following the sale and pays state tax on the gain at that point.

Will the foreign seller owe any Ohio state tax on the gain?

Yes. Ohio taxes the gain at its individual income tax rate via the state's nonresident return the year after closing. Because nothing is withheld at closing, the foreign seller pays the state liability out of pocket when filing — we brief every foreign-seller client on this cash-flow timing so it isn't a surprise.

You're already in Ohio — is that an advantage for Ohio closings?

Yes. The firm is based in Cleveland, Ohio. Local context on Ohio nonresident-seller filing obligations (Ohio IT-1040NR, Ohio municipal/RITA returns where applicable) is built into every Ohio engagement -- so the foreign seller's state-return obligations are addressed at closing rather than discovered next April. FIRPTA itself is federal and routes through the IRS Ogden Service Center regardless of the property's state.

Ohio deal? Send it through intake.

Same-day response. No fee to your title company. No surprises at closing.

Start an Ohio case →  Or call 216-505-0717