State & Local
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November 27, 2024
City Golf Course Exempt From Property Tax, Fla. Justices Say
A municipal golf course in Florida is exempt from property taxes despite a management agreement with a for-profit company, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, reversing an appeals court decision.
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November 27, 2024
Conn. High Court Snapshot: Bank Regulation, Workers' Comp
When it convenes for the third term of the season, the Connecticut Supreme Court will hear cases that could affect the scope of the state banking department's authority to determine its own jurisdiction and clarify a workers' compensation benefits law.
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November 27, 2024
Mo. Counties Ask Appeals Court To Rethink Quash Of Pot Tax
Two Missouri counties asked a state appeals court to reconsider its ruling that barred counties from levying cannabis taxes on sales inside municipalities or to transfer the case to the state Supreme Court, arguing the decision misinterpreted the taxing powers that the state constitution confers to local governments.
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November 27, 2024
Mich. Revenues In Oct. Rise $26M From Last Fiscal Year
Michigan's general fund revenue in October beat last year's collection during the same period by $26 million, the state Budget Office said in a report Wednesday.
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November 26, 2024
NY Groups, Truckers Say Congestion Pricing Unconstitutional
A New York teachers union, and coalitions of residents and truckers have told a federal judge that Manhattan's recently resurrected congestion pricing is still unconstitutional and discriminatory, and federal and state transportation agencies shouldn't be allowed to shake their claims just because the tolls will be reduced.
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November 26, 2024
Tax-Exempt Benefit Regs Would Give Tribes Overdue Power
Recently proposed regulations on tribal general welfare benefits would grant tribes sole discretion to determine which programs and services are tax-exempt benefits and, if finalized, would fulfill the long-overdue purpose of a 2014 law meant to give them more deference.
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November 26, 2024
Jones Walker Welcomes New Commercial, Tax Atty
Jones Walker LLP has added a corporate partner who practices tax law and negotiates, structures and drafts complex merger and acquisition transactions, financings and related contracts and agreements, the firm said.
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November 26, 2024
Fiserv Entities Lose Bid To Revive Fla. Tax Sourcing Fight
A Florida state appeals court upheld a lower court's dismissal of challenges filed by a group of Fiserv entities that claimed the state Department of Revenue used an incorrect method to source their receipts.
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November 26, 2024
NY Authorizes County, City To Raise Tax Rates On Hotel Stays
New York authorized Dutchess County and the city of Hudson to increase taxes on hotel and motel stays under legislation signed by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
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November 26, 2024
Ariz. Reps. Urge Exemption Of State Rebates From Federal Tax
Arizona's one-time state tax rebates issued in 2023 should be exempt from federal taxation, three U.S. House members from the state told House leadership, urging a floor vote on legislation to exclude the income following a federal court decision finding the payments taxable.
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November 26, 2024
Del. Net Receipts Through Oct. Up $69M From Last Year
Delaware's general revenue collection from July through October was $69 million higher than the same period last year, according to a monthly report by the state's Department of Finance.
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November 26, 2024
Ore. Tax Dept. Gave Proper Notice Of Adjustment, Court Says
Oregon's tax department gave proper notice of a $79,000 adjustment to a tax filer's income to reflect the earnings reported by her employer, the state tax court said, rejecting arguments that the department's adjustment notice was legally deficient.
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November 26, 2024
Utah General Revenue Collection Through Oct. Up $85M
Utah's general revenue collection from July through October beat last year's collection during the same period by $85 million, according to a report by the state Tax Commission.
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November 26, 2024
Ohio Board Rejects Shuttered Golf Course's Bid To Cut Value
A closed golf course failed to present evidence to lower its appraised value by roughly $640,000, the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals ruled Tuesday, saying the property's appraiser failed to account for the value of dilapidated buildings on the land.
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November 25, 2024
Wayfair Boosts Validity Of Internet Activity Tax Reg, NY Says
The U.S. Supreme Court decision that scrapped the physical presence requirement for sales tax responsibilities bolsters a New York regulation that outlines when internet activities from out-of-state businesses exceed a federal law's protections against state income taxes, the state's tax agency argued.
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November 25, 2024
Calif. Gov. Promises EV Tax Credit If Trump Axes Federal
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday said that he's preparing to save electric vehicle tax credits — at least for residents of his state — if the Trump administration and a Republican Congress eliminate federal ones.
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November 25, 2024
NC Asphalt Co.'s Transfers To Parent Not Taxable, Office Rules
A North Carolina asphalt company's transfers of property to its parent company aren't taxable sales because the state Department of Revenue failed to prove there was any form of payment for the products, the state administrative hearing office ruled, canceling a $2.6 million bill.
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November 25, 2024
AG Slams Bid To 'Indoctrinate' Public In NJ RICO Case
New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin has rebuffed attacks from businessman George Norcross and others charged in his office's sprawling racketeering case in a pair of opposition filings, accusing the defendants of attempting to try the case in the press and contending that their argument to toss the case is out of place.
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November 25, 2024
Utility Wins $2.4M Md. Sales Tax Refund On Appeal
A Maryland electric utility is entitled to a $2.4 million sales and use tax refund, a state appeals court said, upholding a tax court decision finding that the equipment at issue was used directly and predominantly in production.
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November 25, 2024
SC Revenues Through Oct. Up $437M Over Last Year
South Carolina's general revenue collection from July through October exceeded last year's collection during the same period by $437 million, according to the state Board of Economic Advisors.
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November 25, 2024
NY Authorizes Syracuse To Charge 2% Tax On Hotel Stays
New York authorized Syracuse to impose a 2% tax on people who stay in hotels or motels in the city under a bill signed by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
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November 25, 2024
NC Revenue Through Oct. Up $59M From Last Year
North Carolina revenue from July through October totaled roughly $59 million more than it did during the same period last year, according to the state controller's office.
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November 25, 2024
Ariz. Revenue Through Oct. Beats Forecast By $235M
Arizona's general revenue collection from July through October beat a forecast by $235 million, according to a report by the state's joint legislative budget committee.
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November 25, 2024
Ark. Bill Would Expand Access To Sales Tax Reports
Arkansas General Assembly members would be able to request reports of businesses that remit sales and use tax under a bill introduced in the state Senate.
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November 22, 2024
La. Lawmakers OK Flat Income Tax, End Of Franchise Tax
Louisiana lawmakers advanced an amended version of the governor's tax overhaul plan Friday, passing legislation that would move the state to a flat individual income tax rate and eliminate its corporate franchise tax.
Expert Analysis
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3 Leadership Practices For A More Supportive Firm Culture
Traditional leadership styles frequently amplify the inherent pressures of legal work, but a few simple, time-neutral strategies can strengthen the skills and confidence of employees and foster a more collaborative culture, while supporting individual growth and contribution to organizational goals, says Benjamin Grimes at BKG Leadership.
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Going The Extra Miles: SALT In Review
From a dispute about the borders of Florida's airspace to proposals that would exempt tips from taxes, RSM's David Brunori offers his thoughts on noteworthy state and local tax news.
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E-Discovery Quarterly: Rulings On Hyperlinked Documents
Recent rulings show that counsel should engage in early discussions with clients regarding the potential of hyperlinked documents in electronically stored information, which will allow for more deliberate negotiation of any agreements regarding the scope of discovery, say attorneys at Sidley.
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Loper Bright Limits Federal Agencies' Ability To Alter Course
The U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision to dismantle Chevron deference also effectively overrules its 2005 decision in National Cable & Telecommunications Association v. Brand X, greatly diminishing agencies' ability to change regulatory course from one administration to the next, says Steven Gordon at Holland & Knight.
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Maryland 'Rain Tax' Ruling May Offer Hope For Tax Credits
A Maryland state appellate court's recent decision in Ben Porto v. Montgomery County echoes earlier case law upholding controversial stormwater charges as a valid excise tax, but it also suggests that potential credits to reduce property owners' liability could get broader in scope, says Alyssa Domzal at Ballard Spahr.
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Lawyers Can Take Action To Honor The Voting Rights Act
As the Voting Rights Act reaches its 59th anniversary Tuesday, it must urgently be reinforced against recent efforts to dismantle voter protections, and lawyers can pitch in immediately by volunteering and taking on pro bono work to directly help safeguard the right to vote, says Anna Chu at We The Action.
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How To Grow Marketing, Biz Dev Teams In A Tight Market
Faced with fierce competition and rising operating costs, firms are feeling the pressure to build a well-oiled marketing and business development team that supports strategic priorities, but they’ll need to be flexible and creative given a tight talent market, says Ben Curle at Ambition.
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Rock Climbing Makes Me A Better Lawyer
Rock climbing requires problem-solving, focus, risk management and resilience, skills that are also invaluable assets in my role as a finance lawyer, says Mei Zhang at Haynes and Boone.
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Think Like A Lawyer: Dance The Legal Standard Two-Step
From rookie brief writers to Chief Justice John Roberts, lawyers should master the legal standard two-step — framing the governing standard at the outset, and clarifying why they meet that standard — which has benefits for both the drafter and reader, says Luke Andrews at Poole Huffman.
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Shake-Ups For Courts In Different Fields: SALT In Review
From the end of Chevron deference in the courts to the planned sale of the NBA's reigning champion, RSM's David Brunori offers his thoughts on noteworthy state and local tax news.
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Kentucky Tax Talk: Appeals Court Revisits Leases' Tax Effects
With better facts and greater emphasis on the Kentucky Constitution, Walgreen Co. may succeed in its latest Kentucky Court of Appeals challenge to a tax assessor's method of valuing leaseholds on real property for purposes of determining ad valorem tax, say Mark Sommer and Elizabeth Ethington at Frost Brown Todd.
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Lead Like 'Ted Lasso' By Embracing Cognitive Diversity
The Apple TV+ series “Ted Lasso” aptly illustrates how embracing cognitive diversity can be a winning strategy for teams, providing a useful lesson for law firms, which can benefit significantly from fresh, diverse perspectives and collaborative problem-solving, says Paul Manuele at PR Manuele Consulting.
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Now More Than Ever, Lawyers Must Exhibit Professionalism
As society becomes increasingly fractured and workplace incivility is on the rise, attorneys must champion professionalism and lead by example, demonstrating how lawyers can respectfully disagree without being disagreeable, says Edward Casmere at Norton Rose.