Regulatory Analysis

Posted July 7, 2017 by Tom Hospod
IRS Publishes FAQs for FFI Agreement Renewal

The IRS has published Frequently Asked Questions regarding the FFI agreement renewal. The deadline for the renewal is July 31, 2017, and the obligation to renew applies to Participating FFIs not covered by an IGA, Reporting FFIs under a Model 2 IGA, and Registered Deemed-Compliant FFIs that are Reporting FFIs under a Model 1 IGA operating branches […]

Read more
Posted July 7, 2017 by Paul Ogawa
South Africa Issues Reminder Regarding AEOI Penalties

The South Africa Revenue Service (SARS) recently issued a reminder on their main AEOI site that reporting financial institutions (RFIs) may be liable for administrative penalties if they missed the filing deadline of May 31, 2017 for FATCA and CRS reporting. RFIs may be liable for administrative penalties if there is a failure to report in a […]

Read more
Posted July 6, 2017 by Sovos
LA House Bill 629 becomes Act No. 424

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 […]

Read more
Posted July 5, 2017 by Charles Maniace
Further Clarity of Pending Puerto Rico Sales Tax Legislation

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 […]

Read more
Posted July 5, 2017 by Brendan Magauran
ECJ Case Provides Guidance on Zero-Rated Services relating to the Exporting and Importing of Goods

The European Court of Justice has ruled, in Case C-288/16, that an exemption for services “directly connected” with exportation or importation of goods applies only if those services are supplied directly to the importer/exporter or to the consignee of the goods. The holding turned on the definition of the phrase “direct connection” within Article 146(1)(e) […]

Read more
Posted July 4, 2017 by Yujin Weng
Cook County Court Blocks Sweetened Beverage Tax

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 […]

Read more
Posted July 4, 2017 by Sovos
LA restores the sales and use tax exemption for medical devices.

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). […]

Read more
Posted July 4, 2017 by Adam Rivera
IRS Releases Bulletin No. 2017-26 Highlighting Certain Information Return Updates and Changes

The IRS recently released Bulletin No. 2017-26. The bulletin is noteworthy particularly because part of this Bulletin will be repurposed into Publication 1179. Below is a list of the changes the IRS has specifically highlighted for attention: Vendor code. The use of a vendor code is encouraged in place of a form printer EINs. See […]

Read more
Posted July 4, 2017 by Paul Ogawa
IRS Releases 2017 Guam Wage & Tax Statement

The IRS recently published the 2017 version of Form W-2GU, the Guam Wage and Tax Statement. This form is used to report Guam wages, and should not be used to report wages subject to U.S. income tax withholding. While the form itself remains the same, there are minor changes made to the instructions attached […]

Read more
Posted July 4, 2017 by Adam Rivera
IRS Releases Publication 1179, General Rules and Specifications for Substitute Forms 1096, 1098, 1099, 5498, and Certain Other Information R

The IRS has released an updated Publication 1179 for Tax Year 2017. This publication provides guidelines for those who create and provide substitute information returns to follow.  There are a few changes from the previous revision:   Vendor codes The use of a vendor code is encouraged in place of a form printer EINs The […]

Read more
Posted July 3, 2017 by Sovos
Louisiana qualifies agricultural exemptions: feed, seed, and fertilizer

Senate Bill 97 (Act No. 378) qualifies the Louisiana sales and use tax exemptions for certain agricultural items.  Effective January 1, 2018, sales of seeds used for planting crops, pesticides used for agricultural purposes, liquefied petroleum gases used for farm purposes, and commercial farm irrigation equipment will only be exempt when made to commercial farmers. […]

Read more
Posted July 3, 2017 by Sovos
Louisiana exempts coins and precious metals.

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. […]

Read more
Posted July 3, 2017 by Charles Maniace
Colorado Finalizes Emergency Rule on Reporting for Non Collecting Retailers

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 […]

Read more
Posted July 3, 2017 by Charles Maniace
Pending Puerto Rico Legislation Could Mean Significant and Immediate Changes for Taxpayers

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 […]

Read more
Posted July 1, 2017 by Paul Ogawa
Delaware Advances Filing Due Date for 1099-MISC

Filing extended for 1099-MISC Forms reporting non-employee compensation now in line with federal calendar.  Delaware recently amended legislation pertaining to information returns, and part of this legislation advances the filing due date for 1099-MISC forms reporting non-employee compensation in Box 7. This brings the filing deadlines in line with the federal calendar. 1099-MISC forms […]

Read more
Posted June 30, 2017 by Tom Hospod
IRS Releases Drafts of Form W-8IMY and Instructions

The IRS has published draft versions of its revised Form W-8IMY, Certificate of Foreign Intermediary, Foreign Flow-Through Entity, or Certain U.S. Branches for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting, and instructions for filers of this form. There are a number of significant updates to this form of which filers should be aware: Qualified […]

Read more
Posted June 30, 2017 by Tom Hospod
IRS Reminds Financial Institutions to Renew FFI Agreements

The IRS released an updated FFI Agreement for Financial Institutions with FATCA obligations on December 30, 2016. Those FFIs whose agreements expired at the end of last year, and that wish to retain their GIINs, are required to renew their FFI Agreements. They can do so through the FATCA FFI Registration System. The FFIs will be […]

Read more
Posted June 29, 2017 by Erik Wallin
Massachusetts Revokes Nexus Directive 17-1 Before it Takes Effect

Just two days before it was slated to take effect, the Massachusetts Department of Revenue revoked the highly controversial Directive 17-1 that sought to extend sales tax collection and remittance responsibilities on internet vendors that licensed software to Massachusetts customers, used cookies or contracted with marketplace providers located in the state. While Directive 17.2 revoking the earlier guidance is […]

Read more