(A) If a qualifying entity's total liability for taxes imposed under sections 5733.41 and 5747.41 of the Revised Code exceeds one hundred eighty thousand dollars for the second preceding qualifying taxable year, the qualifying entity shall make all payments required under sections 5747.42 and 5747.43 of the Revised Code by electronic funds transfer as prescribed by this section and rules adopted by the treasurer of state under section 113.061 of the Revised Code.

The tax commissioner shall notify each qualifying entity required to remit taxes by electronic funds transfer of the entity's obligation to do so, shall maintain an updated list of those entities, and shall provide the list and any additions thereto or deletions therefrom to the treasurer of state. Failure by the tax commissioner to notify a qualifying entity subject to this section to remit taxes by electronic funds transfer does not relieve the qualifying entity of its obligation to remit taxes by electronic funds transfer.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, the payment of taxes by electronic funds transfer does not affect a qualifying entity's obligation to file the returns required under sections 5747.42 and 5747.43 of the Revised Code. The treasurer of state, in consultation with the tax commissioner, may adopt rules in addition to the rules adopted under section 113.061 of the Revised Code governing the format for filing returns by qualifying entities that remit taxes by electronic funds transfer. The rules may provide for the filing of returns at less frequent intervals than otherwise required if the treasurer of state and the tax commissioner determine that remittance by electronic funds transfer warrants less frequent filing of returns.

(C) A qualifying entity required by this section to remit taxes by electronic funds transfer may apply to the treasurer of state in the manner prescribed by the treasurer of state to be excused from that requirement. The treasurer of state may excuse the qualifying entity from remittance by electronic funds transfer for good cause shown for the period of time requested by the qualifying entity or for a portion of that period. The treasurer of state shall notify the tax commissioner and the qualifying entity of the treasurer of state's decision as soon as is practicable.

(D) If a qualifying entity required by this section to remit taxes by electronic funds transfer remits those taxes by some means other than by electronic funds transfer as prescribed by this section and the rules adopted by the treasurer of state, and the treasurer of state determines that such failure was not due to reasonable cause or was due to willful neglect, the treasurer of state shall notify the tax commissioner of the failure to remit by electronic funds transfer and shall provide the commissioner with any information used in making that determination. The tax commissioner may collect an additional charge by assessment in the manner prescribed by section 5747.13 of the Revised Code. The additional charge shall equal five per cent of the amount of the taxes required to be paid by electronic funds transfer, but shall not exceed five thousand dollars. Any additional charge assessed under this section is in addition to any other penalty or charge imposed under this chapter or Chapter 5733. of the Revised Code, and shall be considered as revenue arising from the taxes imposed under sections 5733.41 and 5747.41 of the Revised Code. The tax commissioner may remit all or a portion of such a charge and may adopt rules governing such remission.

No additional charge shall be assessed under this division against a qualifying entity that has been notified of its obligation to remit taxes under this section and that remits its first two tax payments after such notification by some means other than electronic funds transfer. The additional charge may be assessed upon the remittance of any subsequent tax payment that the qualifying entity remits by some means other than electronic funds transfer.

Effective Date: 06-30-1997 .