For the second consecutive year, California has been shrinking in population. Although there are many contributing factors, it is naïve to think that California’s taxes and regulations are not major contributors to this recent exodus. According to statistics reported by U.S. News, almost 280,000 more people left California than moved here and most departed for
On June 21, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that states may now collect sales tax on out-of-state online sales in the case South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. The Supreme Court upheld the South Dakota law that requires out-of-state online retailers to collect sales taxes on the sales they make into the State as long
Using the “ABC Test” to Determine Employment Status On April 30, 2018, the California Supreme Court’s decision in Dynamex Operations West v. Superior Court drastically overhauled the way the State determines whether a worker is properly classified as an employee or independent contractor. This is a major change from the old test which used a
They’re Just Phishing for Your Personal or Financial Information The IRS does NOT contact taxpayers by phone call out of the blue or via email, but through official correspondence sent through the U.S. mail. Be aware that whenever you get an angry or threatening call from people who say they are from the IRS and
The newly released Franchise Tax Board’s Report on the New Employment Credit (NEC) indicates that the credit is a bad joke on California businesses as less than $4 million in credits were actually claimed in 2014 when an estimated $22 million was projected by the FTB. That’s a paltry 18% of the best estimates. This
I noticed several ads in the local newspaper this weekend that advertised medical marijuana and offered “Free 1/8th with any $40 min. donation” or “Free ½ gram concentrate.” Additionally, there were offers for “3% back for Every Donation” and “20% off when you preload your Loyalty Member Rewards Card.” Although these ads are probably effective
A funny thing happened to me as I tried to wind down the affairs of an old LLC on 12/16/15. I began my day by pulling up the form LLC-4/7, Certificate of Cancellation of a Limited Liability Company on the Secretary of State’s website and filling it out online. I then mailed it in. Two
Communication Maintain frequency and volume of contact with client – Contact clients once a month or more. I try to make at least five to ten telephone calls per day. Diversify your mode of contact – Utilize e-mail, snail mail, phone calls, seminars, speaking engagements, blogs, news articles, invitations to events. Tailor the communication to
What is the exclusion? If you sell your home, you may exclude a specific amount of your capital gain from tax. What is the amount of exclusion? Married couples filing jointly may exclude up to $500,000. Unmarried people who jointly own a home and who each meet the Ownership and Use Test may each exclude
Have a Game Plan Before the Auditor Calls – Understand that the auditor has time constraints and will appreciate your efforts in promoting a quick and easy audit. You should anticipate and prepare for potential issues and questions that an auditor may have. That is to say, you must strategize. Pre-audit your business and identify
