For many people, local income tax shows up as a small line on every paycheck—but figuring out how those dollars are calculated can be confusing. The rules can get tricky, especially if you live in one community but commute to another.

In Lorain County, most cities and villages use the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) to collect and process municipal income taxes. Exactly how much you pay, however, depends on several factors: where you work, where you live and how your home city treats tax “credits” for residents who pay tax in another municipality.

That last piece is at the heart of the current debate in North Ridgeville. City leaders say a proposed income tax increase will actually save most residents money, thanks to a jump in credit for residents who work outside the city. But becaus

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