Category Archives: Legislation

The 2015 State Business Tax Climate Index: Not Much Has Changed

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Russ

I guess I could have called this, “Bring me the usual suspects,” but I’ve been using that phrase over and over. Yet not much has changed, so the usual suspects have good tax climates and the usual suspects have bad … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Legislation, Nevada, New York | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Tanning Tax: Alan Greenspan Gets It Right (Again)

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Russ

Alan Greenspan, the former chairman of the Federal Reserve, has the wonderful quote: Whatever you tax, you get less of. It’s something our Congresscritters might take to heart…but I doubt it. Today, let’s look at the tanning tax. This tax … Continue reading →

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Coming Attractions: When the IRS Writes New Law When They’re Not Allowed To

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Russ

The IRS is part of the Executive Branch of government. The Executive Branch can’t write law–they can issue regulations based on laws passed by the legislative branch (Congress) and then only when Congress authorizes it. There’s an issue percolating in … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS, Legislation | Tagged | 1 Comment

44 Days

Posted on October 20, 2013 by Russ

44 days isn’t much time. It’s about a month and a half. Yet in the bizarre world of the Affordable Care Act (aka ObamaCare), it’s a big deal. Over the coming weeks I’m going to be looking at various provisions … Continue reading →

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The 2014 State Business Tax Climate Index: Bring Me the Usual Suspects

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Russ

The Tax Foundation released its 2014 State Business Tax Climate Index. In what will shock few readers of this blog, the usual suspects remain at both the top and bottom of the list. First, let’s look at the top states–the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Legislation, Nevada | Tagged | 1 Comment

House Passes Tax Bill; Most Things Stay the Same for 2012

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Russ

This evening, the House passed by a 257-167 vote the tax compromise. Here’s what this bill means: Income Tax – For 2013 forward, the Bush tax cuts were permanently extended except for the “wealthy.” That’s defined as $400,000 for individuals, … Continue reading →

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Fiscal Cliff Compromise Deal?

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Russ

Last night the Senate approved on a compromise deal that averts the “fiscal cliff.” Supposedly, most tax provisions that were to expire are extended in the deal (including the deduction for state income tax, a permanent indexing for the AMT, … Continue reading →

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Fiscal Cliff Deal Near?

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Russ

CBS News is reporting that a fiscal cliff deal may be reached by mid-week. Here is the report from Major Garrett of CBS: We shall see. Presumably, an AMT patch is part of the negotiations. Hat Tip: Hot Air

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Math Is Hard

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Russ

Here’s a math question: What’s 15 +13? It’s 28, of course. Unfortunately, the Santa Clara Valley Water District (near San Jose, California) didn’t check their work. They added 15 years to 2013 and got 2029, not 2028. Oops. It’s a … Continue reading →

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It’s a Tax: What ObamaCare Means for You

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Russ

Unless you were shipwrecked on a deserted island you know that the Supreme Court ruled that the Affordable Care Act, aka ObamaCare, is a legal “tax.” Back in February 2010 I wrote about the taxes in ObamaCare. Let’s run down … Continue reading →

Posted in Legislation | Tagged | 2 Comments