State & Local
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September 24, 2024
Insurer Wants Quick Appeal At 8th Circ. In DOL Tax Fight
A health insurer will seek the Eighth Circuit's review after a federal judge refused to toss a suit from the U.S. Department of Labor claiming the company unlawfully took at least $66.8 million in Minnesota state tax liability from plans it administered to pay in-network providers.
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September 24, 2024
NJ Power Broker Says AG's 'Crime Thriller' Lacks A Crime
Powerful New Jersey businessman George E. Norcross III Tuesday called the Garden State's 111-page indictment alleging he led a scheme to strong-arm the acquisition of waterfront property in Camden through threats of economic and reputational harm a "crime thriller with no crime," and said it must be dismissed.
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September 24, 2024
NY Blood Bought To Treat Livestock Not Taxed, Dept. Says
Blood products are exempt from sales tax if bought for surgical procedures performed on certain livestock and poultry, the New York state tax department said in an opinion released Tuesday, but not if they are used on pets.
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September 24, 2024
Colo. General Fund Revenue In Aug. Down $63M
Colorado's general fund revenue in August was $63 million lower than it was in the same month last year, according to the state Department of Revenue.
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September 24, 2024
NY Escape Rooms Subject To Sales Tax, Dept. Says
Admissions charges to escape or "mystery" rooms, where customers participate in interactive challenges and activities, are amusements subject to sales tax, the New York state tax department said in an opinion released Tuesday.
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September 24, 2024
NY Tax Dept. Says Coffee-Flavored Drinks Not Taxed
A New York business's sales of coffee-flavored products don't incur sales tax, the state Department of Taxation and Finance said in an advisory opinion released Tuesday.
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September 24, 2024
Ariz. Revenue Through August Tops Forecast By $119M
Arizona's general revenue collection from July through August was $119 million higher than expected, according to the state Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
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September 24, 2024
NY Sales Tax Due On Vehicle's Lease Balance, Dept. Says
A New York taxpayer who assumed a lease on a motor vehicle from another taxpayer owes sales tax on the remainder of lease payments despite tax being paid on the initial lease, the state Department of Taxation and Finance said in a ruling released Tuesday.
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September 24, 2024
NY Tax Applies To Tree Inventory Services, Dept. Says
A company's tree inventory services are subject to New York sales tax because the custom reports the company gives clients constitute taxable maintenance and servicing of real property, the state Department of Taxation and Finance said in a ruling released Tuesday.
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September 24, 2024
Mich. Court Affirms Walmart Valuation As $5M Vacant Property
The $5 million tax valuation of a Walmart store in Michigan will stand, the state court of appeals said, rejecting arguments by a local township that a tax panel was wrong to value it as if it were vacant.
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September 24, 2024
NY Tax Doesn't Apply To UK Biz's Motor Parts Purchases
New York sales tax doesn't apply to a business's purchases of motor parts, because while the parts were purchased in New York, they were resold overseas, the state tax department said in a ruling released Tuesday.
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September 24, 2024
Miller & Chevalier Adds Federal Tax Expert From White & Case
Miller & Chevalier Chtd. announced that it added a former partner at White & Case LLP to its tax controversy and litigation practice.
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September 23, 2024
NJ Justices Probe State's Role In Tax Sale Foreclosures
The New Jersey Supreme Court on Monday probed whether the state's Tax Sale Law still holds up in the wake of a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the government cannot profit from a property seizure, pondering the state's role in tax sale foreclosures and if a private, third-party lienholder could be considered a state actor.
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September 23, 2024
SC Judge Won't Rethink CarMax Transfer Pricing Ruling
A South Carolina administrative law judge denied a request from CarMax to revisit his decision that the company used intercompany transactions to distort an entity's business activity and thus its tax burden in the state.
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September 23, 2024
Newsom Vetoes Tax Credit For Buyers Of Manufacturing Gear
A California bill that would have provided purchasers of manufacturing equipment with state tax credits equal to the amount of nonexempt sales and use taxes paid on the purchase of equipment was vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
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September 23, 2024
The Tax Angle: Corporate Inversions, SALT Cap
From a look at criticisms that the 2017 federal tax law failed to stop corporations from moving overseas to GOP efforts to navigate the SALT cap ahead of the November elections, here's a peek into a reporter's notebook on a few of the week's developing tax stories.
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September 23, 2024
NY Extends Industrial Property Tax Break Application Deadline
New York state extended by four years to 2029 the deadline to apply for property tax abatements for eligible industrial and commercial buildings in New York City as part of a bill signed by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
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September 23, 2024
Disney Asks Justices To Review NY Tax On Foreign Royalties
New York's highest court used the wrong standard for evaluating tax statutes for discrimination when it denied deductions that The Walt Disney Co. sought for royalties received from foreign affiliates, the company argued in a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court that Law360 obtained Monday.
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September 23, 2024
NJ Senate Bill Seeks To Ditch Transaction Nexus Requirement
New Jersey would get rid of part of the state's remote sales and use tax nexus requirement, axing a part that specifies that retailers that make at least 200 transactions collect and remit the tax, as part of a bill introduced in the state Senate.
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September 23, 2024
NY Tax Applies To Trading Platform's Sales, Dept. Says
New York sales tax applies to the receipts of a web-based exchange where people can trade foreign currencies, the state's Department of Taxation and Finance said in an advisory opinion.
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September 23, 2024
NY Sales Tax Doesn't Apply To Sales Of Energy Gels
New York doesn't levy a sales tax on energy enhancing gels and chews because they are considered dietary foods and health supplements, the state Department of Taxation and Finance said.
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September 23, 2024
Minn. Court Won't Slash Home's $189K Tax Valuation
A Minnesota homeowner's attempt to cut the tax valuation of his home by nearly one-third was rejected by the state tax court, which said his use of comparable sales fell short of the evidence needed to overturn the assessment.
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September 23, 2024
SC General Fund Revenue Up $184M From Last Year
South Carolina's general fund revenue from July through August beat last year's total for that period by $184 million, according to the state Board of Economic Advisors.
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September 23, 2024
Squire Patton Tax Ace Joins Winston & Strawn In Dallas
Winston & Strawn LLP announced Monday it has expanded its tax offerings with the addition of an experienced attorney from Squire Patton Boggs LLP in Texas.
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September 23, 2024
Walmart Accused Of Wrongly Taxing Delivery Fees In Fla.
Walmart unlawfully collects sales tax on delivery fees in Florida, a customer claimed in a proposed class action removed to federal court, saying the tax cannot apply if customers may choose to pick up the order themselves.
Expert Analysis
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DC's Housing Tax Break Proposal: What's In It, What's Missing
Proposed Washington, D.C., rules implementing the Housing in Downtown Tax Abatement program — for commercial property owners who convert properties into residential housing — thoroughly explain the process for submitting an application, but do not provide sufficient detail regarding the actual dollar value of the abatements, says Daniel Miktus at Akerman.
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Location, Location, Location: SALT In Review
From a possible replacing of Florida's property tax to Cincinnati's taxing of remote workers, RSM's David Brunori offers his thoughts on noteworthy state and local tax news.
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6 Pointers For Attys To Build Trust, Credibility On Social Media
In an era of information overload, attorneys can use social media strategically — from making infographics to leveraging targeted advertising — to cut through the noise and establish a reputation among current and potential clients, says Marly Broudie at SocialEyes Communications.
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A Post-Mortem Analysis Of Stroock's Demise
After the dissolution of 147-year-old firm Stroock late last year shook up the legal world, a post-mortem analysis of the data reveals a long list of warning signs preceding the firm’s collapse — and provides some insight into how other firms might avoid the same disastrous fate, says Craig Savitzky at Leopard Solutions.
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How 3 New Laws Change Calif. Nonprofits' Legal Landscape
Legislation that went into effect on Jan. 1 should be welcomed by California’s nonprofit organizations, which may now receive funding more quickly, rectify past noncompliance more easily and have greater access to the states’ security funding program, say Casey Williams and Brett Overby at Liebert Cassidy.
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SG's Office Is Case Study To Help Close Legal Gender Gap
As women continue to be underrepresented in the upper echelons of the legal profession, law firms could learn from the example set by the Office of the Solicitor General, where culture and workplace policies have helped foster greater gender equality, say attorneys at Ocean Tomo.
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Thinking Big And Soaking The Rich: SALT In Review
From a bold and broad tax plan in Louisiana to proposed legislation targeting the well-to-do in Rhode Island and Michigan, RSM's David Brunori offers his thoughts on noteworthy state and local tax news.
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Reimagining Law Firm Culture To Break The Cycle Of Burnout
While attorney burnout remains a perennial issue in the legal profession, shifting post-pandemic expectations mean that law firms must adapt their office cultures to retain talent, say Kevin Henderson and Eric Pacifici at SMB Law Group.
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High Court Case Could Reshape Local Development Fees
If last month's oral arguments are any indication of how the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in Sheetz v. County of El Dorado, it's unlikely the justices will hold that the essential nexus and rough proportionality tests under the cases of Nollan, Dolan and Koontz apply to legislative exactions, but a sweeping decision would still be the natural progression in the line of cases giving property owners takings claims, says Phillip Babich at Reed Smith.
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Nebraska Should Abandon Proposed Digital Ad Tax
If passed, Nebraska’s recently proposed Advertising Services Tax Act, which would finance property tax relief by imposing a 7.5% gross revenue tax on advertising services, would cause a politically risky shift of tax burdens from landowners to local businesses and consumers, and would most certainly face litigation, say attorneys at McDermott.
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The Legal Industry Needs A Cybersecurity Paradigm Shift
As law firms face ever-increasing risks of cyberattacks and ransomware incidents, the legal industry must implement robust cybersecurity measures and privacy-centric practices to preserve attorney-client privilege, safeguard client trust and uphold the profession’s integrity, says Ryan Paterson at Unplugged.
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As Promised, IRS Is Coming For Crypto Tax Evaders
The IRS is fulfilling its promise to crack down on those who have neglected to pay taxes on cryptocurrency earnings, as demonstrated by recently imposed prison sentences, enforcement initiatives and meetings with international counterparts — suggesting a few key takeaways for taxpayer compliance, say attorneys at BakerHostetler.
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5 Reasons Associates Shouldn't Take A Job Just For Money
As a number of BigLaw firms increase salary scales for early-career attorneys, law students and lateral associates considering new job offers should weigh several key factors that may matter more than financial compensation, say Albert Tawil at Lateral Hub and Ruvin Levavi at Power Forward.