How Ohio compares
Ranked against the other 49 states on the figures we hold. Rates that combine state and local components — sales tax, the minimum wage where it varies by region — are shown on this page but not ranked, because a single number would misstate them.
| Figure | OH | Nationally | In its region |
|---|---|---|---|
| PopulationUS Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimates, July 1, 2025 | 11,900,510 | 7th highest of 50 | 2 of 12 |
| GDP ($bn)Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2025 | 966.8 | 7th highest of 50 | 2 of 12 |
| Median household incomeUS Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, 2024 | $72,212 | 39th highest of 50 | 10 of 12 |
| Unemployment rateBureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (seasonally adjusted, preliminary), September 2026 | 3.4% | tied 14th lowest of 50 | 6 of 12 |
| Foreign-born shareUS Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, 2024 | 5.5% | tied 37th highest of 50 | 8 of 12 |
| Property tax ratechecked Nov 2026; confirm with the Ohio legislature | 1.41% | 40th lowest of 50 | 8 of 12 |
| Deposit return window (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Ohio legislature | 30 | tied 15th lowest of 50 | 4 of 12 |
| Eviction notice (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Ohio legislature | 3 | tied 31st highest of 50 | 6 of 12 |
| Final pay deadline (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Ohio legislature | 0 | tied 1st lowest of the 29 states that set one | 1 of 8 |
- State income tax: yes41 of 50 states answer the same way
- At-will employment: yesthe same in all 50 states — it does not set Ohio apart
- Paid sick leave required: no30 of 50 states answer the same way
- Paid family leave: no38 of 50 states answer the same way
- Workers' comp required: yes49 of 50 states answer the same way
- Rent control permitted: no46 of 50 states answer the same way
- Annual report required: no7 of 50 states answer the same way
Statistical figures: US Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025) · US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (2024) · Bureau of Economic Analysis (2025) · Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (seasonally adjusted, preliminary) (September 2026) · SBA Office of Advocacy, 2025 Small Business Profiles (2025). Tax, wage, business and tenancy figures are recorded from state sources and were last checked on 2026-11-05 — confirm anything you are about to act on with the Ohio legislature.
What's changing in Ohio
Enacted changes with a fixed effective date. Contracts, payroll and leases signed now may run past these dates.
Coming up
- January 1, 2027
Took effect in the last 12 months
- January 1, 2026Minimum wage rose to $11.00/hrSource ↗
- January 1, 2026
Checked against official sources on 2026-11-05.
How long you have in Ohio
The periods that decide whether something is on time. Days are calendar days unless the underlying rule says otherwise.
- Return a security deposit within
- 30 days
- Eviction notice before filing
- 3 days
- Final paycheck within
- 0 days
- LLC formation processed in
- 3-7 business days
- Overtime starts after
- 40 hrs/week
AI Legal Insights — Ohio
AI-generated · Updated July 2026
Ohio operates under a dual court system consisting of municipal, county, and common pleas courts, with the Supreme Court of Ohio serving as the state's highest judicial authority. The state follows a modified comparative negligence rule in personal injury cases, which can significantly impact liability determinations.
Ohio offers a robust manufacturing and logistics-driven economy, supported by a strategic location in the Midwest. While the tiered income tax provides some relief, businesses must navigate various local municipal income taxes that can add complexity to payroll and compliance.
Ohio hosts a diverse immigrant population, particularly in metropolitan areas like Columbus and Cleveland, contributing significantly to the state'1s workforce. While the state does not have sanctuary city mandates at the state level, local jurisdictions vary in their approach to cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
- ›Ensure all real estate contracts comply with the Ohio Statute of Frauds, requiring written documentation for land transfers.
- ›Include specific choice-of-law clauses to avoid disputes regarding Ohio's specific consumer protection statutes.
- ›Be mindful of Ohio's non-compete enforceability standards, which require reasonable geographic and temporal limitations to be valid.
AI-generated insights · Verify with a licensed attorney before relying on this information.
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Employment Laws
Ohio labor regulations
Ohio is an at-will employment state. Its minimum wage is indexed to inflation each January: $11.00/hr in 2026 for employers with at least $405,000 in gross receipts, rising to $11.40/hr on January 1, 2027. Ohio levies a Commercial Activity Tax on gross receipts instead of a corporate income tax.
| Law | OH Rule | Federal Floor |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $11.00/hr since January 1, 2026 for employers with gross receipts over $405,000 ($7.25 below); rises to $11.40 on January 1, 2027 | $7.25/hr |
| Tipped Minimum Wage | Half the full minimum wage; $5.70/hr from January 1, 2027, with tips making up the difference | $2.13/hr |
| Overtime | After 40 hrs/week at 1.5× the regular rate (follows FLSA) | FLSA: after 40 hrs/week at 1.5× regular rate |
| Paid Sick Leave | No statewide mandate | No federal mandate |
| Paid Family Leave | No state program | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid (employers with 50+ employees) |
| Workers Compensation | Mandatory for employers with 1+ employees; coverage through the state-run Ohio BWC fund (large employers may self-insure) | Federal employees covered separately (FECA) |
| At-Will Employment | Yes — Ohio is an at-will employment state | Default nationwide; exceptions for discrimination, retaliation |
| Final Paycheck | By the next regularly scheduled payday | No federal requirement |
| Meal & Rest Breaks | No state requirement for adults; minors get a 30-min break after 5 consecutive hours | No federal requirement; short breaks (5–20 min) must be paid under FLSA |
- Smaller employers (under $405,000 in gross receipts) may pay the federal $7.25/hr.
- Workers' compensation is run by the state Bureau of Workers' Compensation; most employers cannot buy private coverage.
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor state minimum wage table · state labor agencies (checked Nov 2026)
Landlord-Tenant Laws
Ohio rental regulations
Ohio landlord-tenant law requires landlords to keep rental units fit and habitable. Tenants who give written notice of needed repairs and are current on rent may deposit rent with the court if the landlord does not act within a reasonable time.
| Topic | OH Rule |
|---|---|
| Security Deposit | No statutory maximum; one month's rent is typical. For tenancies of 6+ months, the landlord owes 5% annual interest on any deposit above the greater of $50 or one month's rent |
| Deposit Return | Within 30 days after the tenant surrenders the unit, with an itemized written list of deductions; the tenant must give a forwarding address in writing |
| Rent Control | None — state law prohibits local rent control |
| Eviction Notice (Non-Payment) | 3-day written notice to leave the premises before filing an eviction (forcible entry and detainer) case in municipal or county court |
| Landlord Entry | Reasonable notice — 24 hours is presumed reasonable — for non-emergency entry, at reasonable times |
| Repair & Habitability | Landlord must keep the premises fit and habitable. If repairs are not made within a reasonable time (up to 30 days) after written notice, a tenant who is current on rent may deposit rent with the court clerk instead of paying the landlord |
| Self-Help Eviction | Prohibited — landlords may not lock out tenants, remove belongings, or shut off utilities to force a move-out |
| Retaliation Protection | Landlord may not raise rent, reduce services, or evict because a tenant complained to a government agency or to the landlord, or joined a tenant organization |
Both landlords and tenants have enforceable rights under Ohio law. Document all communications and keep copies of your lease agreement. Use AI review to spot risky clauses before signing.
Starting a Business
Ohio LLC formation guide
Ohio has no corporate income tax. Instead, businesses pay the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT), a 0.26% tax on taxable gross receipts above an exclusion amount ($6 million since 2025), so most small businesses owe no CAT. The personal income tax is a single 2.75% rate on income over $26,050 starting in 2026. LLC formation costs $99, and Ohio LLCs do not file an annual report.
Step-by-step LLC formation
- 1Choose a business name — must include "LLC," "Limited Liability Company," or an abbreviation; check availability with the Ohio Secretary of State
- 2File Articles of Organization with the Ohio Secretary of State online or by mail
- 3Pay the $99 filing fee (online filings typically process in 3–7 business days)
- 4Designate a statutory agent with a physical Ohio street address (not a P.O. Box)
- 5Create an Operating Agreement — not legally required but strongly recommended for LLCs with multiple members
- 6Obtain an EIN from the IRS — free at irs.gov, required for taxes and banking
- 7Register with the Ohio Department of Taxation for sales tax and employer withholding, and check whether your gross receipts make you subject to the CAT
- 8Obtain workers' compensation coverage from the Ohio BWC before hiring, plus any industry or local licenses
Every LLC also needs a free EIN from the IRS (Form SS-4). Apply online at irs.gov — takes about 15 minutes and is required to open a business bank account.
Popular IRS Forms
Most-filed federal forms for Ohio taxpayers
Fill these out online with plain-English guidance — every field explained, no accountant required. Download as a ready-to-file PDF when done.
The main annual federal income tax return every taxpayer files.
Fill out free →Give your SSN or EIN to a client before getting paid as a contractor.
Fill out free →Report $600+ paid to independent contractors during the year.
Fill out free →Tell your employer how much federal tax to withhold from pay.
Fill out free →Report income and expenses from a sole proprietorship or LLC.
Fill out free →Report payroll taxes withheld from employees each quarter.
Fill out free →Get an automatic 6-month extension to file your 1040.
Fill out free →The year-end wage statement employers issue to each employee.
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Federal Offices
United States government offices in Ohio
Walk-in assistance by appointment only. Call (844) 545-5640 to schedule, or book online at irs.gov.
Free Legal Aid
Ohio legal assistance organizations
These organizations provide free or reduced-cost civil legal services to qualifying Ohio residents.
Free civil legal services for low-income residents of central Ohio
Free civil legal help for low-income residents of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Ashtabula counties
Statewide online legal resource connecting Ohioans with legal aid organizations and self-help tools
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