|
ESTATE TAX DUTIES
·
Assess Estate Taxes - §5731.27
·
Issue Estate Tax Refunds - §5731.27
·
Issue Estate Tax Releases for Assets and Consents for
Transfer - §5731.39
·
Inventory Safe Deposit Boxes of Estates - §5731.39
·
Inventory Safe Deposit Boxes of Guardianships - §2111.14
·
Prepare Settlements with Tax Commissioner - Estate Taxes -
§5731.46
·
Prepare Settlement & Distribution to Subdivisions of Taxes -
Estate Taxes - §321.29; §5731.35
As described under
the section, "ACT AS AGENT OF TAX COMMISSIONER - ESTATE TAXES;
PERSONAL PROPERTY", the Auditor’s duties are:
FOR ESTATE TAX - the
receiving of tax returns, assessing any penalties and interest, sending
copies of the returns to the Tax Commissioner with supporting
documentation, verifying the valuation of any reported real estate with
the Auditor’s values, assisting taxpayers in the preparation of returns,
issuing consents to transfer property, inventorying safe deposit boxes,
receiving payment of any taxes, penalties or interest due, issuing
bills/receipts for payments, and rendering whatever assistance the Tax
Commissioner may request.
While these duties may seem straightforward, the Auditor must maintain
strict confidentiality on all information obtained relating to estate
taxes. This is nowhere more apparent than when conducting inventories of
safe deposit boxes of estates and safe deposit boxes of guardianships.
These boxes may contain cash, negotiable securities such as stocks and
bonds, jewelry and other valuables. The boxes may also contain personal
papers and photographs. Sometimes, items are found that could be
embarrassing to the surviving family. In rare cases, firearms and
ammunition may be found. The breaching of this confidentiality is
subject to a fine of not less than $100, no more than $5,000 (§5731.99
ORC).
The Auditor must also be careful to not accidentally give legal advice
to estate tax filers. By doing so, the Auditor could be held in
violation of Ohio law which forbids the unauthorized practice of law.
The Auditor must also be careful in giving advice in regards to stocks,
bonds, and any other instruments regulated by the US Securities and
Exchange Commission.
As Estate Tax agent, the Auditor works with attorneys, funeral
directors, trust officers of financial institutions, and other
professionals. In addition, the Auditor often deals with people who are
distraught or angry. The Auditor needs to explain the procedures to them
while not further antagonizing them or causing additional distress. |