State Tax Knowledge Update (59 items) - February 7, 2018

The following are state tax and business developments I have curated since January 6th, and posted in the LEVERAGE SALT LinkedIn group:

Some of the items may be on the same state/issue/topic, but they are from different sources which may give you a broader perspective to help your company or client.

1. Online Travel Company Liable for Maryland Sales Tax

2. Corporate Close-Up: The Texas Comptroller Ruled that Wireless Voice and Data Services are Performed in Texas when a Customer Accesses Those Services in Texas--Is It Market-Based Sourcing?

3. Many State Tax Incentives Are Now Taxable Due to Federal Tax Reform

4. California Proposes Bill to Counter Federal Limit on SALT Deduction

5. Remote Retailers Must Notify Online Purchasers of Louisiana Use Tax

6. Pennsylvania Requires Addback for Federal Bonus Depreciation

7. Fourth quarter 2017 state and local tax developments

8. State implications of federal tax reform - international business

9. Twenty-Five States Face Revenue Shortfalls in 2018

10. FEDERAL TAX REFORM AND THE STATES - great resource from the National Conference of State Legislatures

11. 2017 State Policy Review: Taxation

12. THE SKINNY ON THE 2017 MTC SALES TAX AMNESTY PROGRAM AND HOW IT AFFECTS AMAZON FBA SELLERS - this is an interesting video to watch (even now).

13. Top Tax Strategies for California Businesses in 2018

14. U.S. Supreme Court to Review Bid to Collect Internet Sales Tax

15. New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration Announces Business Tax Rate Reductions

16. Michigan Department of Treasury Discusses New Law Permitting Alternate Method of Dispute Settlement and Resolution for Certain Tax Liabilities

17. Ohio Department of Taxation Launches Amnesty Program that Runs through February 15 and Permits Potential Waiver of 100 Percent Penalties and 50 Percent Interest

18. Pennsylvania DOR Announces that Non-Participation Penalty Assessments from 2017 Amnesty Program are Coming Soon

19. Alabama DOR Issues Proposed Amended Rules on NOL Carryforwards, Federal Conformity, and Revised Filing Due Dates

20. Florida DOR Issues Administrative Rule Changes Reflecting 2017 Law on Return Filing and Payment Due Dates

21. US Supreme Court Denies Taxpayer Request to Review Florida Supreme Court Holding

22. Louisiana DOR Reminds that Certain Remote Retailers Must Issue Annual Information Notices and File Statements

23. Washington DOR Issues CPI-Adjusted Substantial Nexus Bright Line Nexus Thresholds for Business and Occupation Tax Purposes

24. Remote Businesses Might Become Subject to Hawaii Tax

25. New Jersey Enacts Corporate HQ Credit

26. Illinois Proposes Tax on Investment Management Service Businesses

27. Federal Tax Act Affects Minnesota Taxpayers

28. Illinois Responds to SALT Deduction Limit

29. Alaska Governor Seeks Support For Payroll Tax

30. Missouri Governor’s Plan for Tax Reform

31. Tax Law Prompts S Corps to Examine Their Structures: A Primer

32. Idaho State Tax Commission Discusses How Recently Enacted Federal Tax Reforms May Affect State Income Taxation

33. Michigan Court of Appeals Holds that Receipts from Law Firm Services are Sourced on a Market-Based Methodology for City of Detroit Income Tax Purposes

34. Colorado DOR Issues Updated Compliance Guidance on Some Remote Seller Notice and Reporting Requirements

35. Texas Comptroller Revises Administrative Rule 3.308 Computers – Hardware, Software, Services, and Sales

36. Washington DOR Issues Proposed Expedited Regulatory Amendments Reflecting 2017 Legislation that Expands B&O Economic Nexus

37. Multistate Tax Considerations of the Federal Tax Reform International Tax Provisions

38. What the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Means for States – A Guide to Impacts and Options

39. Key Lessons for States as They Determine Responses to the Federal Tax Bill

40. 2018 Tax policy outlook

41. NYC Receipts Allocation Reflects Employees and Consultants

42. State Tax Conformity: Revenue Effects

43. Tax Reform Moves to the States: State Revenue Implications and Reform Opportunities Following Federal Tax Reform

44. January Tax Retrospective: Congress Acts, States React

45. Tax reform provides federal and state credits and incentives opportunities

46. New York releases FY 18-19 budget proposal

47. California Competes tax credit program - More than $55 million in tax credits available

48. You’re Invited: COST, Bloomberg Tax and McDermott Will & Emery to Host Post-Oral Argument Roundtable Discussion

49. Oregon DOR Issues Final Market-Based Sourcing Rule

50. Pennsylvania DOR Discusses New Law that Imposes Information Reporting and Notice Requirements on Some Remote Sellers Including Marketplace Facilitators

51. South Carolina: ALJ Denies DOR Motion for Injunction – Holds that Online Marketplace Provider is Not Required to Collect Tax on Third-Party Sales During Pendency of Case

52. Pennsylvania DOR Announces Immediate Effectiveness of 2017 Legislative Amendments Involving NOL Limitations

53. Montana DOR Discusses How Recently Enacted Federal Tax Reforms May Affect Some State Income Taxation

54. Minnesota DOR Discusses How Recently Enacted Federal Tax Reforms May Affect Some State Income Taxation

55. South Dakota Updates IRC Conformity Date

56. New Hampshire Joins Internet Sales Tax Fight

57. Ohio Amnesty Program Ends February 15

58. Oklahoma Governor Proposes Budget with Numerous Tax Changes

59. Tax Reform Friday: From Coast to Coast, Federal Tax Reform Involves State Taxation Policy

The above represents 'general curating' of state tax developments into one spot. If you still feel overwhelmed by the volume of state tax developments, please consider my 'custom curating' service. Meaning, clients hire LEVERAGE SALT to daily curate state tax developments relating to a specific industry, state(s), tax type and issue. You can make it as granular as you prefer. This allows you to reduce information overload, and only get the information you need to help your clients or company. This service is provided on a fixed-fee or subscription basis. Contact me at strahle@leveragesalt.com.

State Tax Knowledge Update (34 items ) - December 12, 2017

I hope you are having a great holiday season and are remaining calm and enjoying it. I know it isn't easy. So many things going on this month and then trying to get work done, and the constant tax reform talk providing uncertainty. BUT it will calm down at some point. Just remember, life is too short to stress about things that don't really matter. The key is knowing what matters and what doesn't - that is true for both work and in life. As they say, "don't major in minors." 

The following are state tax and business developments I have curated since November 18, and posted in the LEVERAGE SALT LinkedIn group:

Some of the items may be on the same state/issue/topic, but they are from different sources which may give you a broader perspective to help your company or client.

1. Weekly Round-Up: News from MTC’s National Conference

2. A presentation on Residence and Domicile -Principles and Practice

3. Pennsylvania Issues Guidance on NOL Deduction

4. Connecticut to Implement App and “Cookie” Nexus

5. New York Denied Deduction for Rental Losses

6. Small-Business Owners Allege Tax Plan Bias

7. Taxes Intercept Millions From NFL Players’ Salaries

8. Corporate Close-Up: Utah Clarifies Definition of Foreign Operating Companies and Rules on Inclusion of Proceeds from Buy-Sell Agreements in Receipts Factor

9. California Competes tax credit program - $100 million in tax credits available

10. Pennsylvania - Refund limitation period starts when liability fully paid-in

11. Practice and Procedure: California Tax Appeals Office Races to the Finish Line on Finalizing Procedure Rules

12. New Jersey – No addback for worldwide income; treaty protections respected

13. Illinois Franchise Tax Relief on the Horizon

14. Massachusetts Denies Sales Factor COP Determination

15. Sale of Business Excluded From Sales Factor on California Return

16. Global Talks on Taxing Digital Economy a Worry for U.S.

17. Pennsylvania Supreme Court holds statute of limitations for corporate tax refunds is three years from the original due date of a return

18. Rhode Island's tax amnesty program begins December 1, 2017

19. State Income Tax Implications of Base Broadening Components of House and Senate Tax Reform Bills

20. 2017 Interim Report on State Taxation

21. California FTB Chief Counsel Ruling Addresses Whether Sales from Certain Business Divestures Can be Excluded from Sales Factor

22. California FTB Issues Proposed Regulations on How Credits are Allocated Among Members of Combined Reporting Group when Defective Election Occurs

23. New Connecticut Law Postpones Start of Claimant Period for Combined Reporting-Related ASC 740 Deduction

24. Virginia Department of Taxation Ruling Holds that Online Marketplace Operator is Not a Dealer for Sales Tax Collection and Remittance Purposes

25. New York Appellate Court Holds that Purchased Competitor Pricing Reports are Information Services that Qualify for Exclusion

26. Illinois - right to tax refund cannot be assigned to third-party lenders

27. Indiana Tax Court rules on sourcing of online educational service

28. KEEP WATCH ON MTC Use Tax Information Reporting Work Group

29. Rhode Island Division of Taxation Issues Guidance on Amnesty Program that Began December 1

30. California FTB Explains Application of Throwback Rule to Taxpayer Filing Certain Gross Receipts-Type and Franchise Tax Returns

31. Colorado Appellate Court Affirms that Domestic Subsidiary Holding Company Owning Stock in Foreign Entity is Not Required to be Included on Combined Return

32. Indiana Tax Court Rejects DOR Attempt to Source Receipts from Online Revenue Based on Location of Market

33. Washington Adopts Business and Occupation Tax Rule for Apportioning Financial Institution Income

34. Federal Courts Determine OTCs’ Service Fees not Subject to Hotel Occupancy Taxes - Horwood Marcus & Berk

The above represents 'general curating' of state tax developments into one spot. If you still feel overwhelmed by the volume of state tax developments, please consider my 'custom curating' service. Meaning, clients hire LEVERAGE SALT to daily curate state tax developments relating to a specific industry, state(s), tax type and issue. You can make it as granular as you prefer. This allows you to reduce information overload, and only get the information you need to help your clients or company. This service is provided on a fixed-fee or subscription basis. Contact me at strahle@leveragesalt.com.

State Tax Knowledge Update (30 Items)- October 16, 2017

The following are state tax and business developments I have curated since October 2nd, and posted in the LEVERAGE SALT LinkedIn group:

Some of the items may be on the same state/issue/topic, but they are from different sources which may give you a broader perspective to help your company or client.

1. South Dakota Petitions US Supreme Court for Opportunity to Overturn Quill

2. California Expands Tax Amnesty Program

3. Rhode Island Tax Amnesty Program Highlighted

4. Goodwill Was Business Asset for California’s Deemed Water’s Edge Election

5. New CA Apportionment Regulation for Space Transport Companies

6. Law schools need to introduce social learning. Accounting and tax programs do as well.

7. California expands its voluntary disclosure program to include certain flow-throughs

8. Third quarter 2017 state and local tax developments

9. 9 facts about pass-through businesses

10. Taxpayer Challenges Department Authority to Adjust NOL Carryforward, When NOL Was Generated in Tax Years Otherwise Closed by Statute

11. GOP Corporate Tax Reform Proposals Hold State Tax Implications

12. Urgency for State Model on Partnership Audit Adjustments

13. Coalition Firm on State Tax Deduction Amid Compromise Talks

14. Sales Tax Slice: Federal Tax Reform Likely to Affect Sales Tax As Well

15. How AI Impacts the Tax Function

16. South Dakota v Wayfair: Three Maps

17. Tax Bill Momentum Tied to Deal on State and Local Deduction

18. Tax Reform Timetable Could Be Tricky For States

19. Current Economic Conditions of States

20. Eversheds Sutherland SALT Shaker: September 2017 Digest

21. In the Matter of Product of Conagra Foods Ingredient Co., New Mexico Administrative Hearing Office, Dkt. No. 17-39, September 15, 2017

22. DAILY SALES TAX COLLECTION SYSTEM COULD COST MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESSES $1.2 BILLION

23. Comments to Massachusetts DOR re. Accelerated Sales Tax Remittance

24. MTC National Nexus Program Online Marketplace Seller Voluntary Disclosure Initiative Has Been Extended Through November 1

25. Minnesota DOR Explains Impact of Recent State Supreme Court Decision - Inclusion of Foreign Disregarded Entity Income and Apportionment Factors on Combined Return

26. Portland City Administrative Rule Implements New Business Income Tax Surcharge Based on Pay Differentials between CEOs and Median Employees

27. Texas Comptroller Issues Amended Administrative Rule Reflecting Revised Policy on Combined Group Franchise Tax Extensions

28. District of Columbia OTR Discusses Taxation of Digital Goods

29. Wyoming DOR Announces that it Cannot Enforce New Economic Nexus Law Imposing Remote Seller Tax Collection Responsibilities During Pendency of Legal Action

30. Gift Season is Upon Us, But It's a Year-Round Concern

The above represents 'general curating' of state tax developments into one spot. If you still feel overwhelmed by the volume of state tax developments, please consider my 'custom curating' service. Meaning, clients hire LEVERAGE SALT to daily curate state tax developments relating to a specific industry, state(s), tax type and issue. You can make it as granular as you prefer. This allows you to reduce information overload, and only get the information you need to help your clients or company. This service is provided on a fixed-fee or subscription basis. Contact me at strahle@leveragesalt.com.

29 State Tax & Business Developments You May Want to Know - August 21, 2017

The following are state tax and business developments I have curated since August 14th, and posted in the LEVERAGE SALT LinkedIn group:

1. Resistance is not Always Futile: New Decision in Ongoing Delaware Unclaimed Property Audit Litigation

2. MTC Voluntary Disclosure Initiative for Online Marketplace Sellers (i.e., Amazon FBA program)

3. A State Tax Administrator's Perspective on Partnership Taxation

4. Illinois Court Upholds Cook County’s Beverage Tax Finding It Passes Constitutional Muster and Related Developments

5. Webinar: August 24th - Best Practices in Achieving Obsolescence Adjustments for Complex and Commercial Properties

6. State Corporate Income Tax Rules for Sourcing of Revenue for Law Firms

7. Nationwide Sales/Use Tax Update - September 12, 2017

8. Credits Can No Longer Be Applied Against Oregon’s Minimum Tax

9. Total Solar Eclipse Won’t Black Out State Taxes

10. South Carolina going after Amazon (the marketplace facilitator) for not collecting sales tax on behalf of the businesses that use the marketplace to sell products to SC residents

11. Summary of New York Corporation Tax Legislation Enacted after the 2016-2017 Budget

12. New York Amendments Regarding Sales Tax Rules for Transactions between Certain Related Entities and for Purchases Made by Nonresident Businesses

13. Technology Company State Tax Guide from Moss Adams (Very Nicely Done)

14. Illinois Amends Rule Regarding Alternative Apportionment

15. Amazon’s Marketplace Business Isn’t a Tax Avoidance Scheme

16. A comparison of enterprise zone programs in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin

17. MTC National Nexus Program Adds 2 More Participating States to Online Marketplace Seller Voluntary Disclosure Initiative

18. Rhode Island DOT Announces that it Will Accept Applications for Recently Enacted Amnesty Program Beginning December 1

19. California FTB Issues Draft Proposed New Pass-Through Entity Withholding Regulation

20. Minnesota Tax Court Holds that Taxpayer May Apply NOL Carryovers from an Acquired Entity to Full Extent Permitted under IRC § 382

21. New North Carolina Law Includes Changes to Intercompany Expense Addback Statute, Added Franchise Tax Base Deduction, and Definition of Business Income

22. Texas Court of Appeals Upholds Subcontractor Exclusion While Reversing and Remanding on Taxpayer COGS Methodology

23. Memo Explains Recent New York Law Changes on Transactions Involving TPP Resold Between Certain Related Entities

24. California Supreme Court Denies Rehearing in Recent Case Involving Taxation of a Transfer of Legal Entity Interests

25. Washington DOR Reissues Emergency Amended B&O Tax Rule on Financial Institution Apportionment to Conform with MTC Changes

26. Three Big Problems with Sales Taxes Today — and How to Fix Them

27. Should Online Platforms Collect Sales Tax For Third-Party Sellers?

28. The United States Of Unicorns: Every US Company Worth $1B+ In One Map

29. Are Remote Retailers and Marketplace Providers in the 'Path of Totality'?

The above represents 'general curating' of state tax developments into one spot. If you still feel overwhelmed by the volume of state tax developments, please consider my 'custom curating' service. Meaning, clients hire LS to daily curate state tax developments relating to a specific industry, state(s), tax type and issue. You can make it as granular as you prefer. This allows you to reduce information overload, and only get the information you need to help your clients or company. This service is provided on a fixed-fee or subscription basis. Contact me at strahle@leveragesalt.com.

Are Remote Retailers and Marketplace Providers in the 'Path of Totality'?

Well, it's the day - solar eclipse day. A once in a lifetime event. Are you ready? Do you have your glasses? Will you see the total eclipse or partial eclipse?

According to the Washington Post, "the path of totality — the 70-mile-wide strip of America from Oregon to South Carolina in which the moon will, for a couple of minutes, block the sun — crosses the homes of an estimated 11 million people."

A total eclipse is something that happens once in a lifetime (if you are lucky; every 400 years or so). Well, today, our modern economy is converging with past sales tax law creating a sales tax 'eclipse' and is having difficulty figuring out how to look at it. We need the 'right glasses' to be able to tax remote retailers (online sellers) and marketplace platform providers. Amazon, since it is the largest marketplace provider I am aware of, has become the creator of this convergence, or sales tax 'eclipse.' 

We - state and federal governments, departments of revenue, taxpayers and tax professionals - must accept the fact that this sales tax 'eclipse' is happening. We must also work together to find the 'right glasses' or we will cause damage to our 'eyes' (economy and state revenue). 

Currently, states have imposed economic nexus standards and use tax notice and reporting requirements ALL with the intent to skirt the physical presence standard established by the Quill court case. The physical presence standard requires a retailer to have a physical presence standard in the state before the state can require the retailer to collect sales tax. 

I am all for states figuring out the best way to tax these remote retailer transactions; or first determining if they should tax it. I get that the states need revenue. What I disagree with is how states are going about trying to make it happen. Adopting economic nexus laws that fly in the face of Quill to simply get companies to challenge the economic nexus law is ridiculous. States want taxpayers to either comply or challenge the law, hoping the U.S. Supreme Court will take the case and overturn Quill. 

The use tax notice and reporting requirements are more burdensome and complicated than simply collecting and remitting sales tax. Again, another indirect way that states are simply trying to get companies to collect sales tax. If you can't change the law, create a law that is more complicated so companies choose the less burdensome road. I get it, but I disagree with it.

Companies want certainty. Companies don't want to focus on sales tax, they want to focus on their business. They want taxes to get out of the way or at least be something easy and clear to comply with. Companies don't want to get caught not complying and have to pay additional taxes, interest and penalties. The problem is, states are trying to force new tax collecting obligations without working together with businesses and tax professionals. They are forcing it, which is producing uncertainty and more confusion. 

State taxes already present a maze of taxing jurisdictions all competing for business and revenue with non-uniform tax laws. With this sales tax 'eclipse' staring us down, all I ask is that we work together to find the 'right glasses.' I ask the states to stop forcing damage to our eyes.

South Carolina Goes After Amazon as Marketplace Facilitator | All Internet Retailers and Marketplace Providers Under Attack

WARNING: All Internet retailers and marketplace providers should pay attention.

South Carolina is going after Amazon (the marketplace facilitator) for not collecting sales tax on behalf of the businesses that use the marketplace to sell products to SC residents (see CNBC article, "Amazon faces a tax fight in South Carolina that could change how online sellers do business").

This is a very interesting development since the Multistate Tax Commission is trying to get retailers that sell through marketplace facilitators to collect sales tax (see MTC Voluntary Disclosure initiative).

According to the CNBC article, "South Carolina is arguing that under state law, Amazon is considered the seller because the company controls a large part of the sales process for its third-party merchants."

Each state has different imposition statutes and ability to reach a conclusion that South Carolina is attempting to reach. But as the article suggests, if South Carolina is successful, other states will play the copycat game; OR perhaps South Carolina is the one playing the copycat game, since Minnesota, Washington and Rhode Island recently passed legislation to impose sales tax collection responsibilities on marketplace providers.

Minnesota and Washington laws are already under attack (see BNA articles, "Minnesota Marketplace Law Ripe for Legal Challenge" and "Washington’s Marketplace Sales Tax Law Heading for Battle"). Washington's definition of seller “includes marketplace facilitators, whether making sales in their own right or on behalf of marketplace sellers, and referrers.” Rhode Island describes marketplace providers as "retail sale facilitators." Check out Rhode Island's website for more notices and details.

All of the above is going on at the same time that states are imposing burdensome use tax notice and reporting requirements on retailers that are NOT currently collecting sales tax (because they don't have a legal obligation to do so). Consequently, states are forcing retailers to simply take the easier compliance task of collecting and remitting sales tax (versus complying with use tax notice and reporting requirements). 

It's a whole new world where states are trying to get sales tax revenue from anyone and everyone. Stay tuned.