State & Local
-
November 05, 2024
The Firms With An Inside Track To A New Trump Admin
Law firms that have represented Donald Trump and the Republican Party on everything from personal legal woes to election-related lawsuits could see the risks of that work pay dividends as Trump is projected to secure a second term in office.
-
November 05, 2024
Florida, Georgia, Others Peel Back Real Estate Taxes
Voters in seven states approved a spate of real estate tax ballot initiatives on Election Day, including measures that would curb property taxes for veterans, residential property owners and residents of municipalities that fail to enforce nuisance laws.
-
November 05, 2024
Cannabis And Psychedelic Reform Bids Fail In Multiple States
Efforts to liberalize cannabis and psychedelic laws via ballot initiatives met with defeat in multiple states on Election Day, dealing a blow to reformers of drug policies.
-
November 05, 2024
Oregon Voters Reject New Tax On Big Businesses
Oregon voters declined Tuesday to impose a new minimum tax on large businesses that could have raised $15 billion each biennium with most of the funding used to make annual payments to residents, rejecting Measure 118.
-
November 05, 2024
North Dakota Voters Choose To Retain Property Taxation
North Dakota will continue to allow its political subdivisions to levy property tax after voters rejected a constitutional amendment Tuesday that would prohibit its imposition by a subdivision unless it had outstanding debt.
-
November 05, 2024
South Dakota Voters Turn Down Grocery Tax Exemption
South Dakota voters rejected a ballot initiative Tuesday that would have exempted food sales from the state's sales tax.
-
November 05, 2024
Nev. Voters Approve Sales Tax Exemption For Diapers
Nevada will exempt diaper sales from the state's sales and use tax under a measure approved by voters Tuesday.
-
November 05, 2024
Calif. Managed Care Tax Made Permanent By Ballot Measure
California's tax on managed healthcare insurance plans to fund the state's Medi-Cal health program has been made permanent following voter approval of a proposition on Tuesday.
-
November 05, 2024
Ill. Voters Back Millionaire Tax In Nonbinding Referendum
Illinois voters supported imposing a higher tax rate on millionaires to fund property tax relief in an advisory referendum Tuesday, a move that could prompt state lawmakers to take another pass at repealing the state's constitutional requirement for a flat income tax.
-
November 05, 2024
Ga. Voters Approve Expanded Reach Of State Tax Court
Georgia voters approved a ballot measure Tuesday that will give the state's administrative tax court jurisdiction with the state's superior courts with an amendment to the state constitution.
-
November 05, 2024
Washington Voters Reject Repeal Of State Capital Gains Tax
Washington state voters declined Tuesday to repeal the state's embattled tax on capital gains, voting 1,610,148 to 937,050 with 64% of the vote counted against Initiative 2109 and thus allowing the capital gains tax to stand.
-
November 05, 2024
Wash. Voters Reject Repeal Of State Cap-And-Trade Law
Washington state voters declined to repeal the state's cap-and-trade program Tuesday, turning down Initiative 2117 by a vote of 1,566,065 to 972,623 with 64% 0f the vote counted.
-
November 05, 2024
Ga. Voters Approve Increase To Personal Property Exemption
Georgia will increase its personal property exemption to $20,000 under a referendum approved by voters Tuesday.
-
November 05, 2024
Ga. Voters Approve Local Option Homestead Exemption
Georgia will give localities the ability to opt out of a statewide homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes under a ballot measure approved by voters Tuesday.
-
November 05, 2024
Calif. Couple Can't Carry Back Or Carry Forward Loss
A California couple's loss in 2017 did not generate a net operating loss that could be carried back to 2015 and 2016 and carried over to 2018 and 2019, the state Office of Tax Appeals ruled, upholding the Franchise Tax Board.
-
November 05, 2024
Calif. Seller Can't Retroactively Report Real Estate Gain
A California seller of a $10.6 million property in Beverly Hills may not retroactively choose to report the gain on the sale of the property on an installment basis, the state Office of Tax Appeals ruled, siding with the Franchise Tax Board.
-
November 05, 2024
Ill. Dept. Floats Regs To Clarify Aviation Fuel Tax Discount
The Illinois Department of Revenue proposed regulatory amendments to clarify that a sales tax discount isn't allowed for a portion of taxes paid on aviation fuel that is subject to use requirements under federal transportation statutes governing aviation programs.
-
November 05, 2024
Montana General Revenues Through Oct. Down $6M
Montana general revenue collection from July through October fell roughly $6 million compared with the same period in the last fiscal year, according to the state Department of Revenue.
-
November 05, 2024
Florida Net Revenue Through Sept. Beats Estimate By $226M
Florida's net revenue collection from July through September beat revenue estimates by $226 million, according to a report by the state Office of Economic and Demographic Research.
-
November 05, 2024
Iowa Net Receipts Through Oct. Drop $6M From Last Year
Iowa net receipts from July through October fell $6 million from the total for the same period last fiscal year, according to the state Legislative Services Agency.
-
November 05, 2024
Calif. OTA Says Ga. Biz Owner Owes Income Tax
A Georgia resident is required to file and pay taxes on California income from a company he partly owned, the California Office of Tax Appeals ruled Tuesday, sustaining the findings of the state Franchise Tax Board.
-
November 05, 2024
Ohio House Bill Would Eliminate Income Tax On OT Wages
Ohio would exempt overtime wages from the state's personal income tax under a bill filed in the state House of Representatives.
-
November 05, 2024
On The Ground: How Attorneys Safeguarded The Election
Attorneys worked tirelessly Tuesday to support citizens and election workers on the final day of voting in one of history's most contentious presidential contests.
-
November 04, 2024
Fla. Judge Denies Bid To Halt Repeal Of Homeless Tax Idea
A Florida state court judge has denied a bid to stop the repeal of a Miami Beach tax proposal placed on the ballot to pay for homeless services days before the general election Tuesday, citing the court's inability to "second-guess" a political decision made by a legislative body.
-
November 04, 2024
Conn. Justice Warns Against 'Amelia Bedelia' Tax Law Reading
Whether a Connecticut judge properly restored a batch of tax appeals after dismissing them could center on the meaning of the word "may," a state Supreme Court justice said Monday, while also cautioning against an "Amelia Bedelia" approach to statutory construction, citing a children's book character known for her hyper-literalism.
Expert Analysis
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.