February 10, 2012
The CalChamber reports that since January 1, California employers have been paying higher taxes because the state has not repaid money it borrowed from the federal government to pay unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. Unless Congress takes action, which it is not expected to do, the higher tax will remain in effect through 2012 and then increase each … More »
February 2, 2012
In an effort to push back on the Governor’s courting of business groups, the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA) have released an “open letter” to address to Business Leaders that outlines an argument that the state is in such dire straits because of mismanagement and public funding … More »
January 19, 2012
At the same time, proponents of a split roll continue to use every avenue at their disposal to try to change Proposition 13 protections afforded by voters to all property owners in the state. AB 448 (Ammiano; D-San Francisco) introduced last year and noted by the author as an incremental step on a path to “nuke Proposition 13,” is set for a hearing … More »
In December, the process to put a measure on the ballot that would eliminate Proposition 13 protections for commercial real estate and create a split roll property tax in California was submitted to the Attorney General. In an attempt to be clever and misdirect what the measure actually does, it has been entitled the “Protect Homeowners and Close … More »
September 23, 2011
Proposition 13, which California voters approved in 1978, remains solidly popular in California, despite continuous attacks from special interest groups that want to change the landmark tax-payer protection. A new Field Poll shows that 63% of Californians would endorse Prop. 13 if it were up for a vote again today. Poll director Mark DiCamillo states … More »
After a decade of work trying to resolve the issue of online sales tax collection, Governor Brown has signed AB 155 (Calderon; D-Whittier), which will pave the way for a nationwide solution by giving internet retailers time to push for passage of a federal bill that mirrors California’s legislation. In the last state budget, language was adopted … More »
September 9, 2011
After 48 hours and endless negotiations, an apparent agreement has been reached that will allow California to finally have the sales tax collected by Amazon. The measure would have the collection begin in September of 2012 and Amazon will not pursue the referendum and expensive campaign that would have followed. Amazon has also pledged to join in the … More »
August 19, 2011
Governor Jerry Brown on Wednesday turned down a challenge from the mayor of Los Angeles to significantly change Proposition 13, saying he would prefer to focus his attention on bringing financial stability to California. Brown was responding to comments by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has been pushing the notion of removing tax protections afforded … More »
July 22, 2011
A large coalition of national real estate groups, (including ICSC, BOMA, NAIOP, CCIM among others), are strongly urging Congress and White House negotiators to drop the notion of using the Carried Interest Tax Hike as part of the final deal. From the press release: “The undersigned real estate organizations urge Congress to reject an increase in … More »
May 13, 2011
AB 448 (Ammiano; D-San Francisco), the Legislature’s latest attempt at creating a split roll property tax in California, has been rescheduled to be heard in the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee sometime in June. AB 448 would impose higher taxes on publicly-traded property owners on stock market sales when no change of control actually takes … More »