State & Local
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October 10, 2024
Pa. Revenue Beats Estimate By $20M Through Sept.
Pennsylvania's general fund revenue from July through September exceeded a budget forecast by $20 million, according to a report by the state Department of Revenue.
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October 10, 2024
W.Va. Lawmakers Pass Personal Income Tax Cuts
West Virginia would cut its personal income tax rates and fund the reduction through the state's general revenue fund under a bill passed by the Legislature that will now go to Gov. Jim Justice for consideration.
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October 10, 2024
Calif. Says FDIC Must Wait For $21M Tax Refund
A California tax agency urged a New York federal court to toss a lawsuit by the FDIC seeking a $20.7 million tax refund on behalf of the shuttered Signature Bank, saying it's entitled to wait for a possible IRS audit before delivering the payment.
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October 10, 2024
Wyo. Justices Find State Land Leased To Truck Stop Taxable
The state of Wyoming owes tax on property it leased out as a truck stop because that operation doesn't constitute a use for a government purpose that would allow an exemption, the state Supreme Court said.
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October 10, 2024
Calif. Total Receipts Through Sept. $5.5B Over Forecasts
California's total receipts from July through September was $5.5 billion higher than estimates, according to a monthly report the state controller released Thursday.
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October 09, 2024
Voluntary Disclosure Program Seeks To Limit Back Sales Tax
Remote sellers could be eligible for a voluntary disclosure program that would limit their back sales tax liabilities after registering with states that take part in an interstate sales tax compact, under a proposal the Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board opted to continue exploring Wednesday.
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October 09, 2024
Tenn. Extends Tax Deadlines Due To Hurricane Helene
Tennessee will extend its franchise and excise tax filing deadlines to May 1 for taxpayers affected by Hurricane Helene, the state Department of Reveue announced.
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October 09, 2024
Calif. OTA Affirms Lab's Microchip Editing Services Taxable
A California-based laboratory owes $310,000 in sales tax on services it offers to engineering and technology companies for the editing of microchips, the state Office of Tax Appeals affirmed.
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October 09, 2024
Unclear Road For $275M Biz Tax Plan, DC Panel Chair Says
The District of Columbia Tax Revision Commission may scrap a proposal for a business activity tax that could raise $275 million annually to reduce other business taxes, the panel chair said Wednesday.
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October 09, 2024
Mo. Clinics Fail To Meet Charity Requirement For Exemption
Health clinics in four Missouri counties are not eligible for charitable exemptions from property tax despite being part of a nonprofit organization, the state's tax commission ruled.
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October 09, 2024
Calif. OTA Upholds RV Seller's Penalty For Unreported Sales
A California recreational vehicle dealer was correctly penalized for not reporting $4.2 million worth of sales, the state Office of Tax Appeals said, finding unpersuasive the business' claim that it was difficult to find competent people to handle its tax compliance.
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October 09, 2024
Election Uncertainty Hampers Companies' Tax Planning
With the November election approaching, businesses are bracing for the potential impact of two very different sets of tax policies, with the resulting uncertainty making long-term tax planning increasingly difficult.
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October 09, 2024
Calif. OTA Denies Redo On $200K Tax Bill For Med Equipment
A California orthopedic equipment provider will not get a rehearing on a $200,000 sales tax assessment for items found to not qualify for an exemption allowed for medicine, the state Office of Tax Appeals said.
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October 09, 2024
Calif. OTA Says Spouse's Tax Refund Claim Untimely
A California spouse was correctly denied an income tax refund for tax years 2009 and 2010 for overpayments owed to their deceased partner because the claim was filed outside the statute of limitations, the state Office of Tax Appeals ruled.
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October 08, 2024
Louisiana High Court Won't Review Expedia's Hotel Tax Win
The Louisiana Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected state and local government appeals of a ruling that said Expedia and some of its affiliates do not owe Louisiana sales taxes on the full price of accommodation rentals they charged to customers booking through their platforms.
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October 08, 2024
Tax Pact Rejects Option For Multiple Sales Tax Rate Structure
The Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board rejected a proposal Tuesday that would have allowed states that participate in the sales tax simplification compact it oversees to adopt a second sales tax rate in a specific area, a move that left Nebraska noncompliant with the compact.
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October 08, 2024
Tax Pact OKs Challenges To State Compliance Determinations
The Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board approved on Tuesday a clarification to the tax simplification compact it oversees that specifies that challenges can be lodged against certain board decisions, including whether a state's tax system complies with the compact.
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October 08, 2024
Tax Pact Board OKs Requiring More State Nexus, Tax Info
The Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board approved a set of disclosed practices Tuesday that will require states that participate in the tax simplification compact that it oversees to specify how they make nexus and tax determinations in certain scenarios.
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October 08, 2024
Hawaiian Justices Revive Airline's $1.6M Tax Appeal
A tax appeal by Hawaiian Airlines was incorrectly dismissed, Hawaii's highest court ruled, remanding the case to the state tax court for a decision over whether the airline is liable for a $1.6 million assessment.
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October 08, 2024
Pa. Justices Wary Of Linking Mask Tax To Consumer Harms
Several justices of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court seemed cautious Tuesday about extending the state's consumer protection law liability to retailers who collect sales tax on tax-exempt items, pointing to the state's refund system as an existing form of relief for overcharged customers.
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October 08, 2024
Fla. Waives Dyed Fuel Penalties Following Helene
Florida will temporarily waive penalties for businesses and individuals that use or sell dyed diesel fuel for on-highway use through Oct. 15 in response to Hurricane Helene, the state Department of Revenue said.
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October 08, 2024
Mo. Revenue Collection Drops $127M From Previous Year
Missouri's net revenue collection from July through September sank $127 million from the same period last fiscal year, according to a report by the state Department of Revenue.
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October 08, 2024
SD Tax Revenues Through Sept. Down $10M From Forecast
South Dakota's general fund revenue from July through September trailed a budget estimate by $10 million, according to the state Bureau of Finance and Management.
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October 07, 2024
Pa. Supreme Court Snapshot: Mask Taxes, Pride Month Post
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court during its October argument session will weigh whether retailers improperly collecting sales tax on face masks, which were exempted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, amounts to "commerce" that could trigger the state's consumer protection law.
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October 07, 2024
Mich. Supreme Court Snapshot: Insulin Prices, Disney Audit
The Michigan Supreme Court's first oral argument session of the 2024-25 term promises to be a busy one, involving an investigation into Eli Lilly's insulin prices with big implications for the scope of Michigan's consumer protection law and Disney's appeal of an order to turn over decades-old uncashed checks to the state treasurer.
Expert Analysis
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3 Leadership Practices For A More Supportive Firm Culture
Traditional leadership styles frequently amplify the inherent pressures of legal work, but a few simple, time-neutral strategies can strengthen the skills and confidence of employees and foster a more collaborative culture, while supporting individual growth and contribution to organizational goals, says Benjamin Grimes at BKG Leadership.
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Going The Extra Miles: SALT In Review
From a dispute about the borders of Florida's airspace to proposals that would exempt tips from taxes, RSM's David Brunori offers his thoughts on noteworthy state and local tax news.
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E-Discovery Quarterly: Rulings On Hyperlinked Documents
Recent rulings show that counsel should engage in early discussions with clients regarding the potential of hyperlinked documents in electronically stored information, which will allow for more deliberate negotiation of any agreements regarding the scope of discovery, say attorneys at Sidley.
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Loper Bright Limits Federal Agencies' Ability To Alter Course
The U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision to dismantle Chevron deference also effectively overrules its 2005 decision in National Cable & Telecommunications Association v. Brand X, greatly diminishing agencies' ability to change regulatory course from one administration to the next, says Steven Gordon at Holland & Knight.
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Maryland 'Rain Tax' Ruling May Offer Hope For Tax Credits
A Maryland state appellate court's recent decision in Ben Porto v. Montgomery County echoes earlier case law upholding controversial stormwater charges as a valid excise tax, but it also suggests that potential credits to reduce property owners' liability could get broader in scope, says Alyssa Domzal at Ballard Spahr.
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Lawyers Can Take Action To Honor The Voting Rights Act
As the Voting Rights Act reaches its 59th anniversary Tuesday, it must urgently be reinforced against recent efforts to dismantle voter protections, and lawyers can pitch in immediately by volunteering and taking on pro bono work to directly help safeguard the right to vote, says Anna Chu at We The Action.
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How To Grow Marketing, Biz Dev Teams In A Tight Market
Faced with fierce competition and rising operating costs, firms are feeling the pressure to build a well-oiled marketing and business development team that supports strategic priorities, but they’ll need to be flexible and creative given a tight talent market, says Ben Curle at Ambition.
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Rock Climbing Makes Me A Better Lawyer
Rock climbing requires problem-solving, focus, risk management and resilience, skills that are also invaluable assets in my role as a finance lawyer, says Mei Zhang at Haynes and Boone.
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Think Like A Lawyer: Dance The Legal Standard Two-Step
From rookie brief writers to Chief Justice John Roberts, lawyers should master the legal standard two-step — framing the governing standard at the outset, and clarifying why they meet that standard — which has benefits for both the drafter and reader, says Luke Andrews at Poole Huffman.
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Shake-Ups For Courts In Different Fields: SALT In Review
From the end of Chevron deference in the courts to the planned sale of the NBA's reigning champion, RSM's David Brunori offers his thoughts on noteworthy state and local tax news.
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Kentucky Tax Talk: Appeals Court Revisits Leases' Tax Effects
With better facts and greater emphasis on the Kentucky Constitution, Walgreen Co. may succeed in its latest Kentucky Court of Appeals challenge to a tax assessor's method of valuing leaseholds on real property for purposes of determining ad valorem tax, say Mark Sommer and Elizabeth Ethington at Frost Brown Todd.
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Lead Like 'Ted Lasso' By Embracing Cognitive Diversity
The Apple TV+ series “Ted Lasso” aptly illustrates how embracing cognitive diversity can be a winning strategy for teams, providing a useful lesson for law firms, which can benefit significantly from fresh, diverse perspectives and collaborative problem-solving, says Paul Manuele at PR Manuele Consulting.
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Now More Than Ever, Lawyers Must Exhibit Professionalism
As society becomes increasingly fractured and workplace incivility is on the rise, attorneys must champion professionalism and lead by example, demonstrating how lawyers can respectfully disagree without being disagreeable, says Edward Casmere at Norton Rose.