SALT Blawg – State and Local Tax Blog
State and Local Tax ("SALT") blog issues require state and local tax knowledge. Chamberlain Hrdlicka's SALT Blawg (SALT Blog) provides exactly that knowledge with news updates and commentary about state and local tax issues.
You can expect to find relevant information about topics such as income (corporate and personal) tax, franchise tax, sales and use tax, property (real and personal) tax, fuel tax, capital stock tax, bank tax, gross receipts tax and withholding tax. SALT Blawg, offers tax talk for tax pros … in your neighborhood.
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ARIZONA
Arizona Senate Approves Bill Aimed at Amazon.com
The Arizona Senate Commerce and Energy Committee approved a bill, SB 1338,which is designed to affect Amazon.com by expanding the definition of “retailer” to include companies that have warehouses or distribution centers in the state. Amazon.com currently maintains four (4) warehouses within Arizona. As we noted in last week’s update, the Arizona Department of Revenue has issued a bill to Amazon.com alleging that it owes $53 million in uncollected taxes in the state.
CALIFORNIA
California Issues Summary of Property Tax Legislation Enacted in 2011
The California State Board of Equalization issued a Legislative Bulletin, which discusses property tax legislation which was enacted during 2011. The legislation addresses various topics, such as exclusions, exemptions, and real property transfers.
COLORADO
Colorado DOR Issues Guidance on Statues of Limitations
The Colorado Department of Revenue has issued guidance regarding various statutes of limitations for different tax types. Colorado’s income tax and wage withholding statute of limitations are based on the federal statute of limitations, while other taxes are defined purely by state law.
IDAHO
Idaho Tax Commission Issues Release Explaining Grocery Tax for Non-Filers
The Idaho Tax Commission issued a publication explaining that taxpayers who do not normally file because they do not make enough money to file an income tax return are still able to file for an $80 grocery tax credit for 2011. The credit is an attempt to offset the state sales tax on groceries.
KANSAS
Kansas DOR Issues Guidance for Hotels, Motels and Restaurants
The Kansas Department of Revenue has issued guidance for hotels, motels, and restaurants under Publication KS-1540. The Publication is meant to address the various business taxes that hotels, motels and restaurants are required to collect, including the retailers’ sales tax, transient guest tax and the liquor drink tax. The Publication also discusses exemptions.
NEW JERSEY
Amazon.com Reportedly Seeks Sales Tax Exemption in New Jersey
According to NJBIZ.com, Amazon.com is reportedly seeking a sales tax collection exemption from the state of New Jersey in exchange for approximately 1,700 new jobs and a new distribution center in the state. Any such proposal should expect to be met with similar opposition that other states presented with like deals have experienced from in-state brick-and-mortar businesses.
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma Rejects Legislation Aimed at Removing Sales Tax Exemption for Newspapers
The Oklahoma Senate Finance Committee rejected legislation, SB 1098, which would have removed the sales tax exemption for newspapers and periodicals.
PENNSYLVANIA
Court Upholds Allegheny Drink Tax
During 2007, Allegheny County passed a Drink Tax, which imposed a tax on the sale at retail of liquor and malt and brewed beverages within the county. Barrel of Monkey’s LLC challenged the legislation on its own behalf, as well as on behalf of all other liquor-licensed restaurants in Allegheny County subject to the Drink Tax. However, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has held that Allegheny County’s Drink Tax did not violate the “single subject” rule or the uniformity rule of the Pennsylvania Constitution, nor did it violate the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Pennsylvania Governor Presents 2012-2013 Budget
Pennsylvania’s Governor announced his 2012-2012 budget, proposing continued phase-out of the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax, along with maintaining numerous tax credit programs and emphasizing job creation.
Pennsylvania House Passes Marcellus Shale Legislation
The Pennsylvania House passed legislation, HB 1950, that would impose a fee on natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation. The Marcellus Shale formation is the largest domestic source of natural gas.
VIRGINIA
Virginia Senate Committee Approves “Amazon” Legislation
A Virginia Senate Committee unanimously approved legislation, SB 597, which would require Amazon.com to collect sales taxes if it builds fulfillment centers in the state.
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin Publishes Guide Addressing Withholding Tax Requirements
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue issued a publication, W-166, to address withholding tax requirements and changes in the state, effective for periods after October 1, 2009.