Category Archives: California

The Legislature Likes New Taxes

One of the blogs that I read is the FlashReport, a blog on California’s politics. They’ve alerted me to some of the tax proposals being circulated in the Legislature. Not surprisingly, all are being sponsored by Democrats. Global Warming/Greenhouse Gases … Continue reading

Posted in California | Comments Off on The Legislature Likes New Taxes

A Win for Nguyen

Once the judge ruled, this headline was inevitable. After all, Janet Nguyen was up by seven votes (that’s right, 7) over Trung Nguyen. So a Nguyen was going to win. Janet Nguyen was down by seven votes and asked for … Continue reading

Posted in California | Comments Off on A Win for Nguyen

A No Nguyen Situation

When you hear that your vote doesn’t count, well, think again. Here in Orange County, the First Supervisorial District was without a Supervisor since January, when Lou Correa (elected to the State Senate in November) moved up to Sacramento. Ten … Continue reading

Posted in California | Comments Off on A No Nguyen Situation

Whither State Tax Revenues?

A very interesting article from Reuters on the possibility of a decline in state tax revenues. Reuters speculates on (1) lower capital gains revenues, in states such as California, and (2) declining real estate values, in other coastal states (such … Continue reading

Posted in California | Comments Off on Whither State Tax Revenues?

Wal-Mart Fails the Pesticide Tax

California has a lot of taxes. One of the taxes that most individuals are not aware of is the pesticide tax. As the DPR notes, “California assesses a fee on all pesticide sales, levied at the point of first sale … Continue reading

Posted in California | Comments Off on Wal-Mart Fails the Pesticide Tax

The FTB Does Something Smart

I’ve criticized California’s Franchise Tax Board on several occasions. However, I am going to praise them when they deserve it, and this is one of those times. The FTB, in the past, has assessed late payment penalties when payments on … Continue reading

Posted in California | Tagged | Comments Off on The FTB Does Something Smart

More on Potential Budget Problems

The nonparitsan Legislative Analyst’s Office released a report last week which paints a very gloomy picture for California’s finances. Elizabeth Hill, the head of that office, is quoted in the Orange County Register, as saying, “We face a very challenging … Continue reading

Posted in California | Comments Off on More on Potential Budget Problems

Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees

You know that. I know that. Does our leadership here in the Bronze Golden State know that? Last week I got the chance to read. I was forced to—I was in bed with the flu. A very small blurb in … Continue reading

Posted in California | Comments Off on Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees

Will You Really Get that Hybrid Vehicle Tax Credit?

There’s a great op-ed piece in today’s San Francisco Chronicle about the hybrid vehicle tax credit. The op-ed, written by Edward McQuarrie, a professor at Santa Clara University, gives the unpleasant details of how many Californians won’t get the full … Continue reading

Posted in California, IRS | Comments Off on Will You Really Get that Hybrid Vehicle Tax Credit?

Out of State California S Corp Shareholders in for a Surprise

California has always mandated that for all distributions to out-of-state S Corporation shareholders, 7% be withheld for state income tax to the Franchise Tax Board. However, there was no enforcement of this mandate. That’s changed for 2007. The Franchise Tax … Continue reading

Posted in California | Comments Off on Out of State California S Corp Shareholders in for a Surprise