Regulatory Analysis
In the course of testifying at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing a few days ago, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin hinted the Administration may be close to articulating a position on the application of sales tax to remote/internet commerce. Characterizing the issue as one of collection, Secretary Mnuchin recognized that tax revenue from online purchases is […]
In a last ditch effort to move the needle, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker filed legislation that would create a sales tax holiday in the Commonwealth for August 19-20. If passed, the holiday would apply to most any item costing $2,500 or less. Governor Baker has stated "We look forward to working with the Legislature to […]
A few short weeks ago the Massachusetts Department of Revenue enacted and then rescinded Directive 17.1 which was slated to take effect on July 1. The Directive would have imposed a sales tax collection and remittance requirement on remote sellers/internet vendors that provide software (including “cookies”) to Massachusetts customers or use “content distribution networks” located […]
Cook County Illinois will resume collection of their sweetened beverage tax after a judge lifted a temporary restraining order and dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association preventing implementation of the tax. The sweetened beverage tax consists of a $0.01 tax on each ounce of sweetened beverage sold at retail. Retailers are […]
Online sellers should take immediate notice. House Bill 49 has been passed by the Ohio legislature, signed by the governor, and is set to take effect on January 1, 2018. Hidden within its depths, the language of the bill creates a rule that imposes a tax collection and remittance obligation (nexus) on sellers who use software or […]
Maine recently enacted legislation which will require remote sellers to collect and remit sales and use tax on sales into the state of Maine effective October 1, 2017. A person selling tangible personal property, products transferred electronically or services for delivery into Maine will be required to collect sales tax if the person’s sales into Maine in the previous calendar […]
Idahoans will still need to pay taxes on groceries following a recent decision by the state’s Supreme Court. The Idaho Legislature had passed a bill (House Bill 67) exempting groceries from sales tax, this bill was subsequently vetoed by the Governor. The Legislature mounted a legal challenge to the validity of the veto, stating it […]
Washington State recently enacted House Bill 2163 in conjuncture with the State’s recently passed budget. Included in this bill are provisions imposing sales tax obligations on internet sales to Washington consumers. Starting on January 1, 2018 remote sellers who make retail sales of $10,000 a year or more into Washington will be required to either […]
Organizations operating in the Basque region of Spain will soon be required to comply with SII reporting requirements. As reported in this forum, effective July 1 most companies operating in Spain are now required to transmit information to the Spanish Tax Administration (AEAT) regarding purchase and sale transactions within a few days of invoicing. Today, […]
The state of Jammu and Kashmir has joined the rest of India by enacting the GST, a week after it was introduced to the rest of the country. Amidst strong opposition, the government of Jammu and Kashmir passed the Jammu and Kashmir Goods and Services Tax Act on July 7th. The Act, and related orders, can be […]
Cook County Illinois suspended collection of their recently enacted sweetened beverage tax after receiving a temporary restraining order from Cook County Circuit Court. The sweetened beverage tax consisted of a $0.01 tax on each ounce of sweetened beverage sold at retail effective July 1, 2017. The Illinois Retail Merchants Association and several grocers sued the […]
On June 26, 2017, Governor John Bell Edwards signed House Bill 629 into law (Act No. 424). Under this Act, polyroll tubing for commercial farm irrigation is now exempt from tax, as well as purchases and leases by qualifying radiation therapy treatment centers. Act No. 424 also limits the exemption for fuels and gases to […]
As reported earlier on this forum, Puerto Rico is considering 2017-2018 budget legislation that may significantly impact remittance requirements for existing taxpayers in the immediate future. Specifically the bill which is currently sitting on the Governor’s desk, would require taxpayers whose average sales tax liability is at least $2000 per month (or who otherwise qualify […]
Last year, Louisiana re-vamped their tax code, and among the changes imposed was that medical devices went from being exempt to being taxed at a 3% rate. This change was scheduled to expire on July 1, 2018. However, on June 23, 2017, Governor John Bell Edwards signed Senate Bill 180 into law (Act No. 426). […]
Just a day before it was slated to take effect, a Cook County Circuit Court granted an emergency motion that temporarily bars the enforcement of the Sweetened Beverage Tax. The ordinance, which was passed last November, would have imposed a $.01 per ounce tax on virtually all sales of sweetened beverages (and beverage syrups) in […]
Although details are currently scant, Puerto Rico’s 2017-2018 budget legislation, if passed, could make two changes that will require taxpayers to make immediate adjustments to their current sales tax processes: The budget appears to require taxpayers who generally make payments in excess of $2000 monthly, to make two payments per month instead of one. The […]
As previously reported in this forum, on July 1, 2017, Colorado’s long anticipated notice and reporting requirements for non-collecting retailers goes into effect. In the last few days, Colorado moved to finalize the details as to how the rule will be enforced, which are described in Emergency Rule 39.21-112.35. This law requires retailers that do […]
Under House Bill 396 (Act No. 340) Louisiana will permit full exemptions from sales and use taxes for platinum, gold, or silver bullion, valued on its precious metal content; numismatic coins with a sales price of no more than one thousand dollars; and numismatic coins sold at a national, statewide, or multi-parish numismatic trade show. […]