As we inch closer to the January 1, 2018 official changeover of many responsibilities from the Board of Equalization to California's two new tax agencies (the Department of Tax and Fee Administration [TFA], and the Office of Tax Appeals [OTA]), legislators are...
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New Laws
New Loophole May Lead to Local Tax Hikes in California
The California Supreme Court issued a ruling on August 28, 2017 in California Cannabis Coalition v. City of Upland that may have created a loophole for special interests to get around the limitations on tax increases established by Propositions 13 and 218. In the...
California Luxury Counties Targeted by the Treasury Department
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced on August 22, 2017 that it will be targeting shell companies purchasing luxury properties for $2 million or more in the California counties of San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Mateo, or Santa Clara....
Federal Bill Introduced to Simplify State Income Taxes for Mobile Workers
The Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2017, which aims to make a person's wages and other remuneration subject to income tax only in the employee's state of residence and the state where the employee was physically...
Department of Labor Eases Federal Guidance on Use of Contract Labor
U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta announced on June 7, 2017 that the Department will no longer follow the informal guidance issued as Administrator Interpretation Letters in 2015 and 2016 regarding joint employment and independent contractors [here], signaling...
California Wants Teachers, Proposes State Income Tax Exemption to Keep Them
California Senate Bill No. 807, introduced February 17, 2017, proposes various tax credits and exemptions aimed at attracting and retaining educators. Legislators hope to offer qualifying taxpayers a credit against their net tax equal to qualified costs paid or...
Reminder: California Sales Tax Rate Cut
As of January 1st, your dollar will go a little further as California reduces its sales tax rate by 0.25%. Actual sales tax rates vary by county and city. To look up the current sales tax rate where you live, click here.
New Laws for Business Owners and Government Agencies – Expanded Smoking Prohibitions, All-Gender Restrooms, Prohibition on Travel, and Increase to Minimum Wage
For employers, the new year brings many new laws regarding worker benefits, hiring practices, and workplace protections. In addition to ensuring workers are properly classified, employers should also be aware of the increase to California's Minimum Wage, the...
IRS Finalizes Regulations on Same-Sex Marriages
The IRS has issued final regulations to define terms and include same-sex marriage as a marital status for federal tax purposes. The IRS previously issued Revenue Ruling 2013-17 following the Supreme Court case, Windsor v. U.S., in which the Court addressed the terms...
Passports of Individuals with Seriously Delinquent Tax Debts May Be Revoked
On September 2, 2016, the U.S. Department of State finalized a rule that will result in the denial or revocation of passports for persons with seriously delinquent tax debts, effective immediately. A "seriously delinquent tax debt" generally means an assessment...