State & Local
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May 05, 2025
Hawaii Legislature OKs Increase To Transient Lodging Tax
Hawaii would increase its transient accommodation tax and use the additional revenue to fund climate change mitigation efforts in the state under a bill passed by the Legislature and sent to the governor.
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May 05, 2025
Fla. Voters To Decide On Property Tax Exemption For Ag Land
Florida will have voters decide via a statewide ballot measure during the state's next general election on a proposed amendment to the state constitution to exempt property on designated agricultural land from taxes under a House joint resolution approved by lawmakers.
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May 05, 2025
Colo. Senate Approves Employee Biz Ownership Tax Breaks
Colorado would allow new tax breaks, including a $1 million state income tax deduction, to promote employee ownership of businesses under legislation the state Senate approved Monday.
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May 05, 2025
Mass. Income Tax Cap Plan Halted By Legislative Panel
A proposal for a Massachusetts ballot measure to cap the state's income tax rate at 6.25% was stalled by a state legislative panel.
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May 05, 2025
Ariz. Gov. Vetoes Tax Law Change, Warns Of Political Risks
Legislation to mandate that Arizona's tax department notify lawmakers if a proposed new interpretation or application of law would adversely affect taxpayers was vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs.
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May 02, 2025
Charter Ineligible For Tech Tax Break, NY Tells Appeals Court
New York's tax agency urged a state appeals court to affirm its determination that Charter Communications Inc. is ineligible for a reduced tax rate offered to certain technology businesses because some members of its combined group didn't have property in the state.
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May 02, 2025
State & Local Tax Takeaways From April
The federal law that shields businesses from a state's tax on net income when their only business activities in that state are soliciting orders of tangible personal property was the focus of significant attention in April. Those events were part of another busy month in the state and local tax world. Here, Law360 presents state and local tax developments to know from the past month.
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May 02, 2025
Alabama Exempts Aircraft, Parts From Sales And Use Taxes
Alabama will exempt qualifying aircraft and aircraft parts from state sales and use taxes under a bill signed by the governor.
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May 02, 2025
Calif. Cannabis Excise Tax To Rise By 4 Percentage Points
The California cannabis excise tax on gross receipts from retail sales of cannabis will increase from 15% to 19% as a part of a law requiring the rate be adjusted every two years, the state Department of Tax and Fee Administration announced Friday.
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May 02, 2025
Mass. Board Knocks $36K Off Senior Condo's Tax Valuation
A Massachusetts senior condominium unit was overvalued by $36,000, the state Appellate Tax Board ruled in an opinion released Friday, saying the owner's comparable sales analysis showed the property's valuation was inconsistent with the other properties.
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May 02, 2025
Miss. Justices Agree Gas Co.'s Freight Charges Not Taxable
The Mississippi Department of Revenue didn't have the authority to tax freight charges paid by a gas transportation company to a third party because they were part of a separate transaction and not the overall purchase, the state Supreme Court ruled.
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May 02, 2025
Mass. Board Upholds Home's Valuation Despite Comparables
A Massachusetts homeowner cannot have the value of her home lowered after failing to account for the differences between her home and the comparable sales she provided, the state tax appeals board said in a ruling released Friday.
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May 02, 2025
White House Budget Seeks $2.5B Cut From IRS Funding
The Internal Revenue Service's budget would be cut by nearly $2.5 billion compared with 2025 under the 2026 budget request released Friday by President Donald Trump's administration.
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May 02, 2025
Arkansas Dept. Says General Revenue Down From Last Year
Arkansas general revenue collection from July through April fell below the same time period last year by nearly $225 million, the state Department of Finance and Administration said Friday.
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May 02, 2025
Taxation With Representation: Goodwin, Haynes Boone
In this week's Taxation With Representation, Merck buys SpringWorks Therapeutics, Novartis AG acquires Regulus Therapeutics Inc., Sabre Corp. sells its Hospitality Solutions business to private equity shop TPG, and TWG Global and Mubadala Capital team up to bolster their investments.
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May 02, 2025
Fla. Net Revenue Through March Beat Estimates By $28M
Florida's net revenue collection from July through March exceeded forecasts by $28 million, according to a report from the state's Office of Economic and Demographic Research.
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May 02, 2025
West Virginia Revenues Beat Forecast By $237M
West Virginia's general fund revenue from July through April exceeded estimates by $237 million but lagged behind last year during the same period by $111 million, according to a report by the state Budget Office.
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May 02, 2025
Ala. Couple Can't Deduct Costs Incurred Before Biz Operated
A couple who own a running merchandise business in Alabama can't claim a deduction for business expenses incurred before the business was operational, the Alabama Tax Tribunal ruled.
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May 02, 2025
Michigan Income Tax Rate Cut Triggers Weren't Hit, State Says
Michigan's personal income tax rate will remain at 4.25% for tax year 2025 because revenue triggers that can temporarily reduce the rate weren't hit for the prior fiscal year, the state Department of Treasury said.
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May 01, 2025
PepsiCo Owes $2.1M In Tax Penalties, Illinois Panel Affirms
PepsiCo was correctly assessed $2.1 million in penalties for categorizing Frito-Lay expatriates' compensation as foreign payroll that would allow the company's profits to be excluded from state income tax calculations, according to an Illinois Appellate Court panel.
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May 01, 2025
Uber Needed To Collect Tax Pre-Wayfair, Ga. Panel Affirms
Uber was required to collect and remit millions in sales taxes on behalf of drivers and customers who used its app before the Wayfair decision, a Georgia appellate panel held Thursday, ruling against the ride-hailing company and upholding a trial court decision.
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May 01, 2025
Va. Delays Tax Deadlines For Those Hit By Feb. Flooding
Virginia will allow taxpayers who were affected by winter storms and severe flooding in February until the end of this year to file state tax returns and payments, the Department of Taxation said Thursday.
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May 01, 2025
Colo. Fees Don't Violate TABOR, Appeals Panel Says
The enterprise fees in Colorado's state transportation package passed in 2021 do not violate the state's Taxpayer Bill of Rights, a state appeals court said Thursday, upholding a district court ruling and rejecting a challenge from a conservative group.
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May 01, 2025
Colo. House OKs Eliminating Deduction For Free Sports Bets
Colorado would reduce and then eliminate a tax deduction for sports betting operators for free bets placed by players under a bill passed by the state House of Representatives and referred to the state Senate's Finance Committee.
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May 01, 2025
Ind. Co. May Get OK For GILTI, Foreign Dividends Deduction
A company in Indiana that was originally assessed additional corporate income tax after being denied a $17 million deduction for dividends from foreign subsidiaries may be able to claim another deduction, the Department of State Revenue said in a letter of findings.
Expert Analysis
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Location, Location, Location: SALT In Review
From a possible replacing of Florida's property tax to Cincinnati's taxing of remote workers, RSM's David Brunori offers his thoughts on noteworthy state and local tax news.
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6 Pointers For Attys To Build Trust, Credibility On Social Media
In an era of information overload, attorneys can use social media strategically — from making infographics to leveraging targeted advertising — to cut through the noise and establish a reputation among current and potential clients, says Marly Broudie at SocialEyes Communications.
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A Post-Mortem Analysis Of Stroock's Demise
After the dissolution of 147-year-old firm Stroock late last year shook up the legal world, a post-mortem analysis of the data reveals a long list of warning signs preceding the firm’s collapse — and provides some insight into how other firms might avoid the same disastrous fate, says Craig Savitzky at Leopard Solutions.
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How 3 New Laws Change Calif. Nonprofits' Legal Landscape
Legislation that went into effect on Jan. 1 should be welcomed by California’s nonprofit organizations, which may now receive funding more quickly, rectify past noncompliance more easily and have greater access to the states’ security funding program, say Casey Williams and Brett Overby at Liebert Cassidy.
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SG's Office Is Case Study To Help Close Legal Gender Gap
As women continue to be underrepresented in the upper echelons of the legal profession, law firms could learn from the example set by the Office of the Solicitor General, where culture and workplace policies have helped foster greater gender equality, say attorneys at Ocean Tomo.
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Thinking Big And Soaking The Rich: SALT In Review
From a bold and broad tax plan in Louisiana to proposed legislation targeting the well-to-do in Rhode Island and Michigan, RSM's David Brunori offers his thoughts on noteworthy state and local tax news.
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Reimagining Law Firm Culture To Break The Cycle Of Burnout
While attorney burnout remains a perennial issue in the legal profession, shifting post-pandemic expectations mean that law firms must adapt their office cultures to retain talent, say Kevin Henderson and Eric Pacifici at SMB Law Group.
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High Court Case Could Reshape Local Development Fees
If last month's oral arguments are any indication of how the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in Sheetz v. County of El Dorado, it's unlikely the justices will hold that the essential nexus and rough proportionality tests under the cases of Nollan, Dolan and Koontz apply to legislative exactions, but a sweeping decision would still be the natural progression in the line of cases giving property owners takings claims, says Phillip Babich at Reed Smith.
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Nebraska Should Abandon Proposed Digital Ad Tax
If passed, Nebraska’s recently proposed Advertising Services Tax Act, which would finance property tax relief by imposing a 7.5% gross revenue tax on advertising services, would cause a politically risky shift of tax burdens from landowners to local businesses and consumers, and would most certainly face litigation, say attorneys at McDermott.
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The Legal Industry Needs A Cybersecurity Paradigm Shift
As law firms face ever-increasing risks of cyberattacks and ransomware incidents, the legal industry must implement robust cybersecurity measures and privacy-centric practices to preserve attorney-client privilege, safeguard client trust and uphold the profession’s integrity, says Ryan Paterson at Unplugged.
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As Promised, IRS Is Coming For Crypto Tax Evaders
The IRS is fulfilling its promise to crack down on those who have neglected to pay taxes on cryptocurrency earnings, as demonstrated by recently imposed prison sentences, enforcement initiatives and meetings with international counterparts — suggesting a few key takeaways for taxpayer compliance, say attorneys at BakerHostetler.
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5 Reasons Associates Shouldn't Take A Job Just For Money
As a number of BigLaw firms increase salary scales for early-career attorneys, law students and lateral associates considering new job offers should weigh several key factors that may matter more than financial compensation, say Albert Tawil at Lateral Hub and Ruvin Levavi at Power Forward.
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The Pop Culture Docket: Judge Djerassi On Super Bowl 52
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Ramy Djerassi discusses how Super Bowl 52, in which the Philadelphia Eagles prevailed over the New England Patriots, provides an apt metaphor for alternative dispute resolution processes in commercial business cases.