On December 4, 2020, the Washington Department of Revenue Appeals Division determined that an out-of-state company’s participation in an annual three-day trade show in Washington state was sufficient to create substantial nexus with the state and subject the company to both business and occupation tax (B&O tax) and retail sales tax. The taxpayer, an out-of-state
Multistate Tax Commission Nexus and Audit Committee Updates – November 2020
On November 16th and 17th, 2020, the Multistate Tax Commission’s (“MTC”) Nexus and Audit Committees met to consider several topics. The biggest developments from these meetings are that: (1) the Nexus Committee shared their proposed, revised draft of its Uniform Sales and Use Tax Exemption/Resale Certificate – Multijurisdiction, which reflects the Wayfair
Ownership of Tennessee Mortgages Does Not Create Nexus for Foreign Investment Fund
A recent letter ruling from the Tennessee Department of Revenue concludes that the ownership of mortgages backed by Tennessee property was insufficient to subject a foreign investment fund (“Fund”) to the state’s franchise and excise taxes.
Tennessee broadly applies its franchise and excise tax to the extent permitted by the U.S. and state constitutions. A
California Property Tax and LLC Tax Decisions
In this episode we discuss two recent California decisions, including a Court of Appeal decision concerning property tax escape assessments (Prang v. Los Angeles Cnty. Assessment Appeals Bd., Case No. B301194 (Cal. Ct. App. Aug. 27, 2020) and an Office of Tax Appeals decision concerning nexus for the state’s LLC tax. (In
Tiny Interest + Big Property = California Nexus: Office of Tax Appeals Determines Minority LLC Interest Creates Taxable Nexus
On July 7, 2020, the California Office of Tax Appeals (OTA) held that a foreign LLC was subject to the state’s $800 LLC tax because it held a 0.7830849% ownership interest in an LLC that owned property in San Diego. In addition to a more traditional nexus test based on an entity’s business activities in
Michigan Tax Tribunal to Consider City Income Tax Nexus in Light of Wayfair
The Michigan Court of Appeals remanded a case on whether Detroit may impose its income tax on an out of state taxpayer, in light of the US Supreme Court’s Wayfair ruling. The Michigan Court of Appeals previously upheld the Tax Tribunal’s decision that the taxpayer lacked sufficient nexus with Detroit to be subject to its
It’s None of Your Business: California Office of Tax Appeals Rejects FTB’s Broad Test for Doing Business
The California Office of Tax Appeals (OTA) reversed the Franchise Tax Board’s (FTB) determination that an out-of-state limited liability company (LLC) had taxable nexus with California solely because it held an ownership interest in an LLC operating in the state that ranged from 1.12% to 4.75%. California imposes an annual $800 tax on LLCs “doing
Virtual Pets and the Reality of Taxes – Texas Comptroller Affirms Sales Tax Assessment on Online Gaming Company
The Texas Comptroller adopted a proposed decision issued by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) finding that a company owed sales tax on its sales of online gaming services to Texas residents. The company, who had at least one employee in Texas, developed and maintained online interactive social gaming experiences for its registered users, including those
Marketplace Monday: How States Protect Marketplace Facilitators from Tax Overcollection Lawsuits
States have enacted new marketplace facilitator laws designed to impose sales tax obligations on marketplace facilitators related to sales made by third-party sellers. These new sales tax collection obligations on marketplace facilitators create the potential for class-action lawsuits arising out of unintended overcollection of tax.
Today’s Marketplace Monday explores two legislative solutions to overcoming this
Where’s the Substance? Maryland Court of Special Appeals Upholds Assessment of Tax Against Out-of-State Holding Company Based on Parent Company Nexus
The Maryland Court of Special Appeals upheld the Maryland Tax Court’s decision holding that the State Comptroller can subject an out-of-state holding company to tax because the holding company did not have economic substance apart from its parent, which was conducting business in the state. In addition to upholding the assessment of tax, the Court