On November 2, 2018, the Chief Counsel of the California Franchise Tax Board issued Chief Counsel Ruling No. 2018-01, determining: (1) that a taxpayer servicing mortgages was not a financial corporation for purposes of the corporation franchise tax; and (2) gains from interest rate hedging contracts are general income, not money or moneyed capital. Although
interest
Maryland’s Limited Interest on Wynne Refunds Ruled Unconstitutional
Maryland Tax Court holds that Maryland’s limitation of interest on refunds resulting from the US Supreme Court’s decision in Comptroller of the Treasury of Maryland v. Wynne violates the US Constitution.
- In 2014, the Maryland legislature passed a law to retroactively limit the statutory interest rate on refunds related to the Comptroller of the Treasury
…
New York State Budget Adopts Substantial Changes in Response to Federal TCJA
The New York Legislature passed its 2018-2019 Fiscal Year budget on March 30, 2018, which is expected to be signed into law by Governor Cuomo. The Legislature responded to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed by the United States Congress late last year by excluding IRC § 965 repatriated income from New York…
The State and Local Tax Implications of Federal Tax Reform
On November 2, 2017, Republicans in the House of Representatives released their much-anticipated tax reform bill. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act proposes numerous changes to the Internal Revenue Code, many of which will have an impact on taxpayers’ state and local tax liabilities.
- Most states conform to the federal income tax base —at least
…
FTB to Pay Interest on Corporate Tax Refunds
By Eric Coffill
FTB announced that it will pay 1% interest on corporation tax overpayments for the period July 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. Previously, the last time FTB paid interest on corporation tax overpayments (i.e., refunds) was for the period ending June 30, 2009 (for which the interest rate on overpayments was 2%).
A Pinch of SALT: Interest Shenanigans in the SALT World
Tinkering with a state’s interest provisions can be a hidden way to increase revenue without expanding the base or increasing the tax rate—an important work-around for legislators who have pledged not to increase taxes. However, fundamental fairness requires states to follow specific tenets related to interest provisions. View this State Tax Notes article, which outlines…
Louisiana DOR Proposed Unique–and Troubling–Addback Regulation
The Louisiana Department of Revenue has proposed a new regulation expansively interpreting Louisiana’s recently enacted related party expense addback statute.
- Earlier this year, Louisiana enacted a new statute requiring taxpayers to add back interest expenses, intangible expenses and management fees paid to related members, subject to certain exceptions.
- The Proposed Regulation seeks to adopt
…
Here’s the Deal: Georgia Governor Signs Several Significant Tax Bills
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has signed into law several significant tax bills, affecting various Georgia tax matters, including sales and use taxes, property taxes, corporate income taxes and state tax credits, which:
- Adjust Georgia’s statutory interest rates applicable for both assessments and refunds for all tax types, as well as create new procedural requirements for
…
Georgia Keeps It Interesting: Legislature Passes Novel Law on Interest Rates and Refund Claims
On March 24, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 960, which would adjust the statutory interest rate applicable to tax assessments and refunds and addresses other issues related to refund claims for Georgia sales and use taxes. H.B. 960 passed the legislature while the Georgia Department of Revenue continues to consider regulatory action that would …
A Proposed Assessment Is Not an Assessment for Statute of Limitations Purposes in Florida
By Zachary T. Atkins and Open Weaver Banks
In a closely followed case, a Florida district court of appeal held that a proposed assessment is not an assessment for statute of limitations purposes. The Florida Department of Revenue generally has three years to “determine and assess” any tax, penalty or interest due. The Department has…