Category Archives: California

We’re Number 40!

Posted on February 27, 2006 by Russ

The Tax Foundation today released its business climate survey of the 50 states. For the record, here are the top ten states: Wyoming South Dakota Alaska Florida Nevada New Hampshire Texas Delaware Montana Oregon California ranks 40th, just missing out … Continue reading →

Posted in California | 13 Comments

Governator Warms Up to Tax Increase

Posted on February 17, 2006 by Russ

Global warming, that is. According to this article in the San Francisco Chronicle, Governor Schwarzenegger appears ready to jump on the global warming trail for tax increases. First, some science. There’s a big debate over whether or not global warming … Continue reading →

Posted in California | 2 Comments

Fast Food Litter Tax Passed in Oakland

Posted on February 9, 2006 by Russ

I have a few clients in Oakland. They’ll probably be paying a bit more for that Big Mac or other fast food; the Oakland City Council passed an ordinance Tuesday that imposes a fee of between $230 to $3,815 on … Continue reading →

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LLCs vs. S Corps in California

Posted on January 23, 2006 by Russ

In my practice, I see a lot of S Corporations, but very few LLCs (I can count the number on one hand). Yet, according to Christopher Hoyt of the University of Missouri at Kansas City (writing in the TaxProf Blog), … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Entity Formation | 4 Comments

Why the Franchise Tax Board Is “Fun” to Deal With

Posted on January 9, 2006 by Russ

Let’s assume you disagree with a decision that the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) makes on your tax return. You go through the FTB appeals process, and get nowhere. California then allows appeals to the Board of Equalization (BOE). Today, let’s … Continue reading →

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BOE Flood Relief

Posted on January 6, 2006 by Russ

For taxpayers in Northern California impacted by the recent storms, the Board of Equalization has extended deadlines for filing California sales tax and fees collected by the BOE by one month. Returns (and payments) originally due on January 31st are … Continue reading →

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A Brief Note on Business Information Returns/Filings

Posted on January 3, 2006 by Russ

Now that we’re in 2006, it’s time for me to go back to work. First on the agenda will be business information returns/filings, such as W-2s and 1099s. These forms must be distributed by January 31st, but do not have … Continue reading →

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One Down, Two (at least) To Go

Posted on December 7, 2005 by Russ

Yesterday John Campbell (R-Irvine) won the race to replace Christopher Cox as Congressman for the 48th Congressional District. Chris Cox is now the head of the SEC. As mentioned previously, voters in the same area of Orange County now face … Continue reading →

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Another Election on Tuesday

Posted on December 4, 2005 by Russ

If you, like me, live in Orange County’s 48th Congressional District, don’t forget to vote this Tuesday for Chris Cox’s replacement. If you don’t know where your precinct will vote (and many polling places have been moved), you can find … Continue reading →

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Voter Approval Means Voter Approval

Posted on November 18, 2005 by Russ

The California Department of Finance thought it had a good idea to finance pension debt. Just issue $525 billion in bonds. Only one problem, the State Constitution says that all large loans (defined as anything over $300,000) must be approved … Continue reading →

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