The SALT Cap and State Taxation of Pass-Through Entities

Among the many significant changes in the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA), individual taxpayers’ deductions for state and local taxes (SALT deductions) on federal Form 1040 Schedule A were capped at $10,000 ($5,000 for married taxpayers filing separately).  The “SALT cap” results in reduced itemized tax deductions for individual taxpayers, particularly impacting homeowners …

Tax Treatment of Unemployment Benefits

The federal American Rescue Plan Act signed by President Biden in March 2021 provides that up to $10,200 of state unemployment benefits received by individuals during 2020 are excluded from gross income. Taxpayers are eligible for the exclusion only if federal adjusted gross income is less than $150,000. The mid-March legislation created some initial confusion …

Impact of the Presidential Election on Personal Income Taxes

Now that the results of the presidential election are in and former Vice-President Joe Biden has become President-elect Biden, it is important to remember the tax policy changes for personal income taxes announced by Mr. Biden during his campaign that he would propose if elected.  As we review three of these changes, keep in mind …

United States Tax Court Launching New Case Management System – Dawson

In December 2020, the United States Tax Court will be launching DAWSON (Docket Access Within a Secure Online Network), the Court’s new case management system. The Court expects DAWSON to be active no later than December 28, 2020. Beginning at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on November 20, 2020, the current e-filing system will become inaccessible …

Are My Employees Telecommuting Right Into a New State Income Tax Liability?

A phenomenon of the ongoing COVID-19 healthcare pandemic is the exponential expansion of telecommuting. Whether stemming from an epiphany or simply the opportunity to escape to a more appealing place to live, many members of the workforce have opted to relocate. In many instances, relocation has meant crossing state borders, all the while continuing to …

Arizona PROP 208 – Big Tax Increase Possible in Arizona

On the ballot in Arizona this November is Proposition 208 (the “Proposition”). Proponents assert it will benefit students in public schools. Critics warn it sends most of the increased income tax revenue it generates into the school bureaucracy, not to teachers, as it implies, and will dissuade some businesses and taxpayers from moving to or …

There’s Nothing Like the Feelings of a New Pencil for School: Michigan’s Proposed Tax Holiday for Back-To-School Supplies

House Bills 4824 and 4825 were introduced and referred to the Tax Policy committee early August. These house bills propose what will be, if passed by the Michigan Legislature and signed by the Governor, the only annual tax holiday in Michigan. The proposed tax holiday provides an exemption on certain school supplies from the state …