conduct state tax "year-end" planning early, often & always

This is a Public Service announcement. Revealing a secret from the state and local tax underground. A secret that makes it difficult for companies to do business. To stay in compliance. To avoid compounding tax liabilities and interest and penalties.

What is this secret?

Wait for it . . . . . . . .

State taxes are a "moving target."

A "moving target" is defined as:

• something that moves while someone is trying to hit it

• something that is always changing

Some state tax rules don't change. Some state tax rules change at a certain time or in a certain tax year based on federal or state legislation. Some state tax rules change every year. Some state tax rules change suddenly based on a court case or ruling. Some state tax rules change without you knowing it based on a state's internal policy decision or change in interpretation of a statute or regulation.

• So how does a company plan?

• Conduct year-end planning?

• Conduct beginning of the year planning?

• Plan for acquisitions, mergers, divestitures?

Companies must stay on top of income tax laws on a tax year by tax year basis. Meaning, income tax laws are generally static for a specific tax year, but can change from year to year. Thus, tax pros should not follow "SALY" (same as last year) when preparing returns. This can lead to "IAP" (interest and penalties). With that said, there are situations when court case decisions or rulings happen that may have retroactive impact and create amended return / refund opportunities or may simply alter prospective returns.

In regards to sales tax, there are static rules but the interpretation of some of those static rules can change and are definitely not the same in every state. Sales tax rules and tax rates can change at different times of the year due to court cases, rulings and state legislation. Unlike income tax, sales tax periods are generally monthly, quarterly or annual

It's the lack of uniformity among state tax laws that creates risks and opportunities.

Some state income tax laws that may differ from state to state are:

• Economic Nexus (creating a taxable presence)

• Sales sourcing of sales of tangible property and services

• Requiring throwback of sales

• Allowing or requiring combined reporting

• Allowing a pass-through entity (PTE) to make a PTE tax election (i.e., $10,000 SALT-CAP work around)

• If PL 86-272 protection applies

• Conformity to federal international tax considerations (i.e., GILTI, FDII, deemed dividends, ECI, etc.)

• Treatment of bonus depreciation

• Treatment of disregarded entities (i.e., single-member LLCs or Q-Subs)

Some sales tax laws that may differ from state to state are related to the following:

• Sourcing of sales of services (including multiple points of use)

• Sourcing of sales to/from non-US countries

• Sales of software, SaaS, and other computer services

• Sales of information services or data processing

• Sales of services

• Sales by construction contractors

• Treatment of sellers in drop shipment transactions

• Allowable or acceptable forms of exemption certificates

• Treatment of leases (lessors and lessees)

• Width and breadth of manufacturing exemption

• Occasional sale or casual sale exemption when selling assets or business

• Treatment of repairs and maintenance (labor and parts)

• Treatment of research and development activities

• Sales to governmental and non-profit entities

I could keep going, but I think you get the point.

So what is a company supposed to do?

Depending on what stage your business is (i.e., start-up, emerging, growth, mature), I recommend you inquire of your tax professional about the state tax impacts of your business. You may only have one or a few states to deal with right now. Some of you may have 20 or more states to consider. The key is to get on top of it now. To know what you don't know so you can make informed decisions. To stop problems from growing out of control and implement proper procedures and tax decisions. Be proactive. Don't let blind spots create a compound effect of problems.

Conduct year-end state tax planning, early, often and always.

QUOTES

• "In all affairs, it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." - Bertrand Russell

• "Bureacracy is the art of making the possible impossible." - Javier Pascual Salcedo

• "Knowledge is the beginning of practice; doing is the completion of knowing." - Wang Yangming

STATE TAX KNOWLEDGE UPDATE (70 ITEMS) - MARCH 13, 2018

The following are state tax and business developments I have curated since February 7th, 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. Sweeping New Iowa Tax Policy Unveiled

2. Idaho Enacts New IRC Conformity Date

3. Georgia Introduce IRC Conformity Bill

4. West Virginia Passes Federal Conformity Bill

5. Sales Subject to Indiana Throwback Rule

6. Idaho Sends IRC Conformity Legislation to Governor

7. Kansas Might Repeal Multistate Tax Compact Provisions

8. Corporate Close Up: D.C. Denies Big Oil Summary Judgment on Multimillion-dollar Chainbridge Transfer Pricing Case

9. Tax Reform Friday: High Income Tax States Strike Back Against Limitation of State Tax Deduction

10. Individual Income Insights: Many States Mulling Conformity to “Fit In”

11. Extras on Excise: States are Smitten for Fuel Tax Revenue

12. Sales Tax Slice: Sourcing Online Purchases from Physical Stores

13. Effective NOL Planning in Light of Tax Reform | Tax Executive

14. Pennsylvania DOR Issues Non-Participation Penalty Assessments to Delinquent Taxpayers that Failed to Partake in 2017 Tax Amnesty Program

15. The Empire State is Open for Business – Overview of Select New York Credits and Incentives

16. Nexus Considerations: Navigating the "Kill Quill" Revolt

17. District of Columbia Confounds Opposition to Its Transfer Pricing Strategy

18. Implications to Illinois Repeal and Replacement of Its Unclaimed Property Act

19. Louisiana Governor Calls Special Session to Address Fiscal Cliff

20. COST: State-by-State Scorecard Summaries and State Legislative Targets

21. 2018 State Tax Amnesty Programs

22. 2017 State Tax Amnesty Programs (in case you missed it)

23. COST’s Opposition to House Bill 2489, Retroactive Repeal of Multistate Tax Compact Provisions

24. COST’s Opposition to Senate Bill 227, Mandatory Unitary Combined Reporting

25. California Issues Out-of-State Voluntary Disclosure Application

26. Idaho Enacts New IRC Conformity Date

27. Tax Reform Friday: Idaho and West Virginia Take Differing Approaches to I.R.C. Conformity Post-Pub. L. No. 115-97

28. West Virginia IRC Conformity Date Updated

29. Virginia Enacts IRC Conformity Legislation

30. Corporate Close-Up: California Holds LLC Member Responsible for Entitys Tax Liabilities

31. Extras on Excise: By Taxing Uber and Other TNCs, Alabama Joins the Club

32. Corporate Close-Up: New York City Tribunal Rules on Sourcing of Services from Subscription-Based Consulting

33. Property Tax Post: Payment in Lieu of Tax Already a Success?

34. Individual Income Insights: Many States Mulling Conformity to “Fit In”

35. Court or Congress? State Online Sales Tax Power Set for Change

36. Update: Companies Face Setback in Challenge to District of Columbia’s Use of Chainbridge Transfer Pricing Method

37. Congress Extends Tax Incentives for Energy Production and Conservation

38. 2018 STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION CALENDAR

39. MTC Files Brief in Support of South Dakota’s Petition in Wayfair Case

40. Could States Fix The SALT Deduction Cap By Taxing Pass-Throughs and Giving Their Owners A Credit?

41. Ohio Department of Taxation Reissues Release on Nexus Standards and Filing Safe Harbors for Pass-Through Entities

42. Partnership Not Liable for Nonresident Partner’s NJ Tax

43. Michigan Explains Apportionment of Industrial Processing Exemption

44. Federal Tax Reform—Multistate Tax Considerations and Conformity

45. Colorado DOR Holds that Alternative Apportionment is Warranted Under Taxpayer Provided Facts

46. District of Columbia CFO Addresses How Recently Enacted Federal Tax Reforms May Affect Some Taxation in the District

47. New Idaho Law Specifies 120-Day Timeframe to Report Federal Tax Audit Adjustments

48. New Virginia Law Updates State Conformity to IRC and Decouples from Some Provisions of the 2017 Federal Tax Reform Act

49. New West Virginia Law Updates State Conformity to IRC

50. US Supreme Court Schedules Oral Arguments in Case Challenging the Constitutionality of Remote Seller Economic Nexus Law for April 17

51. Colorado DOR Issues General Information Letter Addressing Certain Remote Seller Notice and Reporting Requirements

52. South Carolina DOR Announces Acceptance of Retail Sales Tax Applications from Third-Party Suppliers of Products Sold via Online Marketplace Provider Website to In-State Purchaser

53. Could Colorado actually simplify its sales tax system? Let's hope so.

54. Tax Reform Friday: More Tax Reform Bills and Proposals; Texas v. ACA–Round 2

55. Corporate Close-Up: ‘Kill Quill’—What the End of Quill Would Mean for Corporate Income Taxpayers

56. Georgia Enacts IRC Conformity Update, Rate Cut

57. Michigan Keeps Personal Exemptions

58. Oregon Tax Bill Includes IRC Conformity

59. Illinois Introduces Marketplace Fairness Act

60. Alabama Tax Amnesty Program Enacted

61. New Alabama Law Requires 2018 Amnesty Program Providing for Potential Waiver of Interest and Penalties

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

63. California FTB Explains Refund Claim Procedures Pursuant to 2017 Appellate Court Ruling

64. New Georgia Law Updates State Conformity to IRC

65. Illinois DOR Addresses How Recently Enacted Federal Tax Reforms May Affect Some State Income Taxation

66. New Michigan Law Generally Updates State Conformity to IRC and Permits Taxpayer Election to Conform to IRC in Effect for Tax Year

67. Partnership Not Liable for Out-of-State Limited Partner CBT in New Jersey

68. Connecticut DOR Services Sends Use Tax Notices to Online Customers Based on Information Provided by Online Retailers

69. Chart of States with and without State Tax Tribunals (as of 2/3/16)

70. Florida Reaches Agreement on IRC Conformity, Other Tax Issues

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 (36 items) - November 18, 2017

The following are state tax and business developments I have curated since November 8, 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. $100 Million Available During Second Application Period in the California Competes Tax Credit Program’s Final Year

2. Tennessee Issues Notice on Intangible Expense Deduction

3. VERMONT BULLETIN: Corporate and Business Income Tax Nexus, Filing Requirements, and Minimum Tax Liability

4. Corporate Close-Up: Impending Federal Tax Reform and its Rippling Effect on State Corporate Taxation

5. Incentives Watch: Federal Tax Reform Pumps the Brakes on Electric Car Incentives; States Zoom Ahead

6. SALT Implications of the House and Senate Tax Reform Bill

7. Colorado Court of Appeals Held that Out-of-State Holding Company is Not Included in Combined Report

8. Watch Your Step: New York City Real Property Transfer Tax Imposed Under Step Transaction Doctrine

9. New California Office of Tax Appeals Discusses Emergency Regulations

10. Nice resource/summary for Tennessee taxes

11. Tennessee sales tax guide by TaxJar for online sellers

12. Rhode Island Division of Taxation Launches Website for Upcoming Amnesty Program that Begins December 1

13. Minnesota DOR Acquiesces to Recent Tax Court Ruling Involving NOL Carryovers and IRC § 382 Limitation

14. California FTB Issues Proposed Rule Changes on the Apportionment and Allocation of Partnership Income for Corporate Tax Purposes

15. Colorado Appellate Court Affirms that Foreign Subsidiary is Not Required to be Included on Combined Return

16. Oregon DOR Proposes Various Administrative Rule Changes, Including Reflection of New Law that Implements Market-Based Sourcing on Sales of Non-TPP

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

18. Mississippi DOR Adopts New Rule Requiring Some Out-of-State Sellers with Substantial Economic Presence to Collect Use Tax on In-State Sales

19. August 3 Enforcement Date Added to Recent Pennsylvania Ruling Holding that Certain Online Information Retrieval Products Constitute Taxable TPP

20. The Still-Rising Tide - Will Investment Managers Be Swept Up in State Income Tax Trends

21. Ohio Department of Taxation Launches Amnesty Program Website

22. Amended Regulations Reflect Recent Montana Law Changes that Expand Waiver of Composite Return or Withholding for Domestic Second-Tier Pass-Through Entities

23. Tennessee DOR Explains Updated Requirements for Claiming Intercompany Intangible Expense Deduction

24. Vermont Department of Taxes Issues Draft Nexus Bulletin - Comments Must be Received by December 8

25. Tennessee DOR Holds that True Object of Subscriptions for Cloud-Based Scheduling Services is Taxable Remotely Accessed Software

26. AB 398 expands California’s partial sales and use tax exemption

27. Illinois EDGE tax credit program restored

28. Local Policy Digest

29. EY State income and franchise tax Quarterly update

30. Ernst & Young LLP Sales and Use Tax Quarterly Update

31. New York income tax withholding audits on the rise

32. Coping with the tax challenges of relocation and mobility

33. California OTA stakeholder meeting to comment on draft emergency regs

34. State tax implications of federal tax reform: Repatriation toll charge

35. State tax implications of federal tax reform: Interest expense deduction limitations

36. State tax implications of federal tax reform: Full expensing

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.

20 State Tax & Business Developments You May Want to Know - August 14, 2017

The following are state tax and business developments I have curated since August 9th, and posted in the LEVERAGE SALT LinkedIn group:

1. Cook County’s Sweetened Beverage Tax effective August 2, 2017; first returns due September 20, 2017

2. State Rundown 8/9: And Then There Were Three

3. Are You Prepared for Oregon’s Move to Market Sourcing?

4. Delaware releases amended draft unclaimed property regulations

5. Foxconn Deal Will Put Wisconsin in Red for At Least 25 Years

6. New York Broker-Dealer Tax Stance Likely to Spark Pushback

7. Mississippi’s Sales Tax Regulatory Smorgasbord Continues—Internet Sellers and Commercial Contractors on the Menu!

8. Dark Property Theory: A balanced review of key components used in property tax appeals

9. When Incentives Matter, Oklahoma’s a Safe Bet

10. Big Data, Big Moves, Big Merger

11. Higher Taxes In a High Tax State Are Highly Problematic

12. Oklahoma Emergency Rules Implement Upcoming Three-Month Amnesty Program that Begins September 1

13. State conformity to federal provisions - Exploring the variances

14. MTC National Nexus Program Now Offering Online Marketplace Seller Voluntary Disclosure Initiative

15. New Rhode Island Law Requires Implementation of 75-Day Amnesty Program Providing for Potential 100 Percent Penalty Waiver and Reduced Interest Due

16. District of Columbia Budget Legislation Codifies Unincorporated Business and Franchise Tax Rate Reductions

17. Minnesota Supreme Court Affirms that Foreign Disregarded Entity Income and Apportionment Factors are Properly Included in Combined Return

18. New York Releases New Guidance for Receipts Factor Methodology for the Owners of SMLLCs That Are Registered Broker-Dealers

19. Pennsylvania DOR Holds that Certain Online Information Retrieval Products Constitute Taxable TPP

20. New Rhode Island Law Contains Economic Nexus Provisions, Information Reporting and Notice Requirements

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.

20 State Tax & Business Developments You May Want to Know - July 27, 2017

The following are state tax and business developments I have curated since July 25th, and posted in the LEVERAGE SALT LinkedIn group:

1. UPCOMING WEBINAR: Indirect tax and the Internet of Things: Where could convergence impact your organization?

2. New bill would stymie state taxation of online sales

3. California Supreme Court Increases the Cost of M&A Deals in Expansive Real Estate Transfer Tax Decision

4. Pa. Senate could revisit budget Wednesday

5. Georgia Senators Reviewing Corporate, Personal Tax Breaks

6. Is your firm filled with open-minded people?

7. Vanilla. Tastes good, but it’s a bad way to market.

8. Oregon Passes First-in-Nation Statewide "Predictive Scheduling" Law

9. Key Property Tax Appeal Dates: July, August, and September Deadlines

10. States Clear Path for Truck Platooning: First Step to Fully Autonomous Vehicles

11. The Middle Market Reports Solid Growth in Q2 2017

12. The New Age of Cyber Crime

13. Circle of Outsiders

14. 2017 WORLD'S MOST COMPETITIVE CITIES

15. Texas - Economic Development Guide

16. COST Issues Letter of Amicus Curiae in North Ardmore v. County of Los Angeles (Real Estate Transfer Tax

17. THE STATE OF FEDERALISM TODAY

18. State Legislatures Magazine - check out this site (interesting)

19. State Rundown 7/27: State Legislative Debates Winding Down but Tax Talk Continues

20. Trump Administration, Republican Congressional leaders release statement on tax reform goals

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 subscription basis. Contact me at strahle@leveragesalt.com.