Category Archives: California

Where There’s Smoke, There’s a Tax

Posted on July 21, 2006 by Russ

Pity the smokers in California, home of one of the US’s top cigaratte tax rates. Why not buy the cigarettes over the Internet and save on the tax? That’s not a bad idea, except that the Board of Equalization, California’s … Continue reading →

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“Tax Relief Is Good. Taxes Are Bad.”

Posted on July 14, 2006 by Russ

If you’d ask John Q. Public his opinion on taxes, the answer you would receive would probably be the title of this post. And politicians who forget this are usually in for a surprise. This November Californians will vote for … Continue reading →

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California Fights Back Against Nevada; Will It Matter?

Posted on July 14, 2006 by Russ

According to this news story, California will soon unveil a $600,000 ad campaign to fight back at Nevada’s attempt to lure California businesses. California, according to the new ads, is, “…the place where the smartest companies are located.” While this … Continue reading →

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When Is a Tax Increase Not a Tax Increase?

Posted on June 26, 2006 by Russ

My parents live in the San Fernando Valley, an area within the City of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Daily News has an interesting story on how Los Angeles increased the trash pickup fee by 254% without having to take … Continue reading →

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Two Tax Increases for November Ballot

Posted on June 21, 2006 by Russ

Californians have signed enough petitions so that two tax measures will be on the November ballot. One would increase the cigarette tax to make it the most expensive in the state; the other would add an ‘oil severance’ tax, taxing … Continue reading →

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Independent Contractor or Employee?

Posted on June 21, 2006 by Russ

That’s one of the most vexing questions for the business owner. Is your staff employees, or can they be classified as independent contractors? The IRS has a webpage devoted to helping taxpayers make the classification choice. Employers must withhold payroll … Continue reading →

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End of Phone Tax Impacts California

Posted on June 18, 2006 by Russ

The end of the phone tax that funded the Spanish-American War may impact California. According to this story in the San Jose Mercury-News, many local entities in California tied their telecommunications tax to the federal tax. Some of the ordinances … Continue reading →

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Youngstown, California

Posted on June 11, 2006 by Russ

My writing partner lives in Youngstown, Ohio. The last time I checked a map it was over 2000 miles from the Bronze Golden State. However, the Board of Equalization must look at different maps. According to this column in the … Continue reading →

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Proposition 82 Soundly Defeated

Posted on June 7, 2006 by Russ

Proposition 82, the mandatory preschool/tax increase/help Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Denver initiative, fell to defeat yesterday. With almost every precinct reporting, 39.1% favored the proposition, but 60.9% opposed it. Californians even defeated a library bond initiative, 53.1% to 46.9%. That’s … Continue reading →

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Field Poll Says Prop 82 Now Trailing

Posted on June 4, 2006 by Russ

Proposition 82, the pre-school for all, tax the wealthy, help Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Denver initiative, now trails, according to a Field Poll just released. For those, like me, who are against the initiative, vigilance is still required. Democrats are … Continue reading →

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