What creators in Ohio actually owe.
Every number on this page is computed by Post’s tax engine — the same one that runs the dashboard — from Ohio’s 2026 rules, not copied from a blog post. Verified against Ohio Rev. Code §5747.02 (HB 96, signed 2025-06-30); §5747.01(A)(28) (BID).
Ohio, after its latest rewrite, is the state most likely to hand a creator paperwork instead of a bill: the Business Income Deduction exempts a large slice of business income from state tax entirely, and Schedule C profit — the thing you make — qualifies. A full-time creator under the deduction's cap owes Ohio state income tax of exactly zero, not as a loophole but as the design.
The catch is one layer down. Ohio's cities run their own income taxes — administered separately, filed separately, often through regional agencies — and the municipal rules don't include the state's business exemption. Your city can tax the same profit the state just waved through. The state line reading zero is true and incomplete at the same time.
So the Ohio failure mode is inverted: it's not underestimating the state, it's forgetting the city. Post computes the state line — including the exemption, with the reason shown on the estimate — and the municipal layer is yours and your CPA's to pin down once.
Pay Ohio estimates at Ohio OH|TAX. Federal payments go through IRS Direct Pay — Post pre-fills both.
A $8,000/mo creator in Ohio, single filer
Effective rate: 21% of net profit. Your expenses, filing status, and income change this — run your own numbers below.
Generally yes, if you expect to owe $1,000+ in federal tax for the year — platform and brand-deal income has no withholding, so the IRS expects four payments a year, and Ohio runs its own estimated-payment schedule on top. Post computes both and reminds you before each date.
It depends on income and filing status — flat percentages lie. As one honest reference point: a single filer earning $96,000 a year with $19,200 of business expenses owes about $15,910 all-in (federal + self-employment + Ohio) — an effective 21% of net profit. Post recalculates your number as money lands.
Gifted product you keep is generally taxable income at fair market value on your federal return — and state taxable income starts from the federal numbers. Post logs PR at FMV in seconds so April doesn't surprise you.
Because Ohio's Business Income Deduction exempts qualifying business income — Schedule C included — up to a cap most creators sit under. Post's engine models the deduction and states the reason right on the estimate, so the zero is explained rather than suspicious.
Municipal income tax is a separate system: Ohio cities tax residents' income, including self-employment profit, and they don't honor the state's business exemption. Rates and filing run through your city or a regional collector. It sits outside Post's state estimate — confirm your city's rules with your CPA, who gets a free seat on Pro.