Schwarzenegger decries film productions moving out of state May 10, 2008
A series of Assembly speakers, all from Los Angeles, have pushed unsuccessfully for a California tax credit since 1998. They include Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, who steps down as speaker next week and is termed out of office after this year, and his successor, Karen Bass. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
City rejects revision of low-income project Apr 17, 2008
4 million project who required an amendment to the Affordability Covenant, removing one of the apartment units from all rent restrictions to meet the affordable housing requirements of the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC), according to the city staff report. The city and the LHCDC agreed to the new lender's requirements at the time. (Lompoc Record, CA)
Politicians push for new iTunes sales taxes Apr 16, 2008
Updated at 7:25 AM PDT with new information about the status of the California tax bill. A growing number of state politicians are proposing new laws to levy taxes on digital downloads, including music, video, and books, as a way to remedy budget pains. (CNET News.com)
Calif. Tax Board Says O.J. Simpson Owes California $1.5 Million Apr 8, 2008
In 1995, the year before the California tax liens started, a Los Angeles County jury acquitted Simpson of murder charges in the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman. In 1997, a civil jury found him liable in their deaths and awarded their families $33. (NBC 11, CA)
$3 million tax cut on Larry Ellison's estate Mar 28, 2008
Ellison's refund is likely to come on top of falling property taxes tied to the declining housing market, said Lenny Goldberg, executive director of the California Tax Reform Association of Sacramento, which advocates equitable taxation and is supported by labor and education groups. "We have such an irrational property tax system, we rely on the growing housing market, and then when it levels off, there's an awful lot of schools and services hanging out there," he said. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Finding drugs to combat super bugs Mar 18, 2008
Because of the length of the research and development cycle for typical biotechnology products, some California tax code provisions that are intended to assist emerging industries are less than useful. In the fight against antibiotic-resistant super bugs, new solutions are needed to spur innovation and stem this deadly trend. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Tax breaks under scrutiny as Calif. battles $16 billion deficit Mar 16, 2008
com: California: Tax breaks under scrutiny as Calif. battles $16 billion deficit. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Magid: Time For Uniform Online Sales Tax Feb 22, 2008
com, you will pay California tax even if the item is shipped from an out-of-state warehouse because those companies have stores in California. But because Amazon. (CBS News)
Cal lawmakers slash budget Feb 17, 2008
Current law allows buyers to avoid the California tax if they wait 90 days after the out-of-state purchase before bringing a yacht or recreational vehicle to California. The governor's proposal would extend the waiting period to a year. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Local experts chime in Feb 9, 2008
"Tax time isn't always a bad thing," said Bill Geideman, chairman of the California Tax Education Council. "And we are just gearing up for the big rush."Geideman, a Southern California tax preparer for 20 years, said tax season's two busiest times for his industry are in early February and about two weeks before the April 15 deadline. (Fresno Bee)
Timeline: Britney Committed, Part Deux Feb 1, 2008
Paste the code below into your fave news reader. com/syndication/feeds/rssfeeds/hum. (Yahoo News -- Britney Spears)
Governor open to tax-code overhaul Jan 15, 2008
Gov. Schwarzenegger on Monday said he is willing to consider overhauling the California tax code to smooth the revenue peaks and valleys now plaguing the state treasury. The governor, in a meeting with The Bee's editorial board, renewed his pledge not to raise taxes to close a $14. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Cents and sensibility: Lessen the stress of taxes Dec 20, 2007
Tax preparers are registered with the California Tax Education Council. To find one call (877) 850-2832 or www. (Daily Triplicate)
States Facing Budget Shortfalls As Housing Slump Hits Tax Take Dec 6, 2007
INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY. Homeowners aren't the only ones squeezed by the deepening housing market crisis. (Investors Business Daily)
Red-flag warning lifted; winds calm Nov 5, 2007
File appeals before Dec. 1 with California Tax Refunds, LLC, 4585 Murphy Canyon Road, San Diego CA 92123. For more information, call (858) 541-2400 or go to cataxrefunds. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
California housing slump worsening state budget picture Oct 20, 2007
SACRAMENTO -- California tax revenue dropped precipitously in September as the slumping housing market pushed up unemployment and home sales slid for the sixth straight month. California collected 809 million less than expected. (North County Times)
Martinez resigns as Republican chairman Oct 20, 2007
16 Posted by bhahnel on October 20, 2007 at 2:14 a.m. (Suggest removal) Florida would benefit in may ways if they choose a program that implemented California's Proposition 60/90 In California tax relief for seniors 55 and older helps ease the cost of moving and finding a replacement home by transferring the taxable value on the senior's original home to the replacement home. Here's how it works. (The Palm Beach Post)
As hedge against inflation, safest investments are Tips Oct 7, 2007
California requires unenrolled preparers to register with the California Tax Education Council, but this is not a licensing program, says Celeste Heritage, the council's administrator. To register, a preparer must post a $5,000 bond and complete 60 hours of initial education at an approved school and 20 hours per year thereafter. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Ups and downs taxing to figure Oct 3, 2007
Since 1978, the homes have been lim-ited to a 2 percent rise in assessed valuation by Proposition 13, the California tax revolt measure. Over the past 10 years or so, property values have risen far faster than 2 percent, so even with recent declines in home values, the market value of the home is still higher than its assessed value on the county books. (Modesto Bee, CA)
A session of special importance Sep 18, 2007
Mark wrote on Sep 17, 2007 1:18 PM:" My doctor and I agree that I am overall in good health for a 54 year old male; the two medications that I take on a daily basis have maintained a normal cholesterol level and lowered my blood pressure to a normal range. Blue Cross will not continue my individual health coverage; they will not even say that in writing. Blue Cross will only pass on information over the telephone with a Blue Cross Agent, the agent suggested that if I get off my prescriptions... (North County Times)
Yacht, plane and RV owners glide past tax Aug 22, 2007
"Everybody recognized this as a scam," said Lenny Goldberg, executive director of the nonprofit California Tax Reform Assn. "People had even made a business out of this scam. And now the state is going to permit it again.". . (Los Angeles Times)
Nicole Richie Buys More Time Jul 11, 2007
Save the California tax payers their money. justasking on 07/10/2007 20:16PM. (E! Online)
Millionaires cashing out of Bay Area Jul 10, 2007
"You can still tap into California's resources -- which includes a large, educated population -- while extricating yourself from the California tax system.". Not everyone's convinced that a massive wealth shift is underway. (San Francisco Business Times, CA)
Marriage and money -- unfamiliar territory Jun 25, 2007
Q: "I have read in several newspapers that tax year 2007 'requires' same-sex couples to file joint taxes for the state of California. Several columnists/pundits have indicated that it will mean that I and my same-sex partner will have to file separate federal forms for each of us, then fill out (but not file) a joint federal form so that we can then file a joint state of California tax form. Seems like a lot of paperwork to me. Also, is it truly required that we file jointly? If opposite-sex... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Bonds are tools for financing the pool May 24, 2007
According to California Tax Data, an online property tax information center, assessment districts created using the 1972 Landscaping and Lighting Act, the Improvement Act of 1911, the Municipal Improvement Act of 1913 and the 1915 Improvement Bond Act can issue bonds as part of the financing mechanism. For more information on assessment districts rules and regulations, visit the Web site californiataxdata. (Big Bear Grizzly, CA)
The HeldenFiles - News jams May 14, 2007
California Tax Dollars at Work: Fans of Paris Hilton have launched a petition to get Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to pardon her on a recent probation violation. (Akron Beacon Journal, OH -- Entertainment)
Give bigger government a chance May 13, 2007
With Proposition 13 and the famous California tax revolt, and with presidents whose entire domestic programs amounted to mindless tax-cutting, and with Congresses that have been happy to pass cuts and stack deficits, we have systematically deprived the government of the revenues it needs to provide basic services, even as we've come to need it to do so much more. The Bush administration has only added to the problem. (Los Angeles Times)
Adventures in Income Taxes Mar 5, 2007
The California Tax Education Council and the Franchise Tax Board have joined forces to enforce the law with surprise visits to tax preparers. Those caught face a $2,500 fine, and repeat violators face an additional fine of $5,000. (Fresno Bee)
French toast the return of a rock dinosaur Mar 4, 2007
California tax exile embarks on a sell-out tour. Jason Burke in ParisSunday March 4, 2007. (Guardian Unlimited -- World)
Out-of-state investors still buy here, but pace slower Feb 4, 2007
If you look at the tax mailing addresses of many buyers in new Valley-fringe subdivisions, California tax mailing addresses were more than common. In some neighborhoods, half of new homes were sold to Californians in 2005. (AZCentral -- Business)
Are Fees Really Taxes? Jan 23, 2007
Under California law, the difference between a fee and a tax comes down to where the money goes, said Lenny Goldberg, executive director of the California Tax Reform Association. Fees are either paid in exchange for a service or for mitigation. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Sounds great! Government ought to provide auto, home, and life insurance to all as well. A slippery slope! Where will it end? More... Jan 14, 2007
Governor's ambitious health plan has risk and many critics - North County Times - State / West. Last modified Friday, January 12, 2007 6:57 PM PST. (North County Times)
Governor's ambitious health plan has risk and many critics Jan 13, 2007
Last modified Friday, January 12, 2007 6:57 PM PST. Politicians love to talk about the U.S. dependence on foreign oil as if it is unpatriotic to be paying for stuff sucked out of some other country's stores. (North County Times)
Schwarzenegger's health plan has critics Jan 13, 2007
Secondary Navigation. By LAURA KURTZMAN, Associated Press Writer Fri Jan 12, 2:53 PM ET. (Yahoo News -- Health Care)
Man files bogus documentswith IRS to get foes in trouble Jan 11, 2007
Intending to retaliate against adversaries, Bozarth in 1999 and 2000 falsely reported that he transferred $2 million in currency to Medford police officer Nathan Banry, California tax collector Emma Rock, Medford Safeway employee Rick Deates and IRS employee Dennis Parizek. Bozarth filed fraudulent IRS forms 8300 used to report cash payments over $10,000 on each victim's behalf, sparking an IRS investigation. (Mail Tribune, OR)
Changes in state tax laws Jan 8, 2007
A host of new California tax laws take effect this year, from lower withholding on the sale of investment property to measures designed to track down -- and publicly identify -- tax evaders ... Your contribution will be exempt from federal, but not California taxes ... If California does not conform to the federal HSA legislation, "That rollover would be taxable in California and subject to a penalty," says Lynn Freer, editor of Spidell's California Taxletter. (San Francisco Chronicle)
$200 million payment by one taxpayer defines peril Jan 3, 2007
The roughly 3,000 (out of 14 million) California tax returns with incomes over $5 million a year pay a whopping 10% of all personal income taxes. From a populist standpoint, that's all to the good, but there's a downside that should bother everyone. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
