April 6th
Major State Tax Proposals/Developments
GEORGIA lawmakers passed a costly, imprudent bill that will increase personal exemptions, gradually implement a 4.99 percent flat tax rate, and cost over $2 billion annually when fully implemented. The deeply regressive bill will, on average, save the state’s top earners thousands of dollars a year and less than $50 for the state’s lowest earners. Earlier iterations included a cap on film tax credits and a nonrefundable 10 percent EITC but neither made it into the final version.
MARYLAND Gov. Larry Hogan enacted a large tax cut package that includes nonrefundable tax credits for retirees 65 and older, a Work Opportunity Tax Credit, and sales tax exemptions for childcare products. The retiree tax cut alone is expected to cost over $1.5 billion over the next five years.
The KENTUCKY General Assembly passed an income tax cut that would bring the state’s flat rate from 5 to 4 percent over the next few years. The new flat rate will drop to 4.5 percent as of 2023 as long as the state’s rainy-day fund can cover 10 percent of general fund receipts and general fund receipts exceed appropriations after a 1 percentage point tax cut – both of which the state is expected to meet. The cut will cost Kentucky $888 million over the next two years. Gov. Andy Beshear is expected to sign the bill, but considering Kentucky only requires a simple majority to override a veto, it is all but guaranteed that this permanent cut will go into effect.
NEBRASKA advanced a bill that will cut the top personal and corporate income tax rates to 5.84 percent, exempt all social security income, and expand on state property tax credits. With that deal done, Gov. Pete Ricketts turned immediately to making room for the tax cuts for upper-income households by vetoing legislative budget priorities that would have helped less advantaged Nebraskans, such as payments to caregivers of vulnerable individuals, affordable housing development, and supports for former prisoners re-integrating into society.
The NEW MEXICO legislature went to work quickly during the special session, which began April 5 and ended after 12 hours, approving a two-part tax rebate that will net individuals and couples a total of anywhere between $500 and $1,000.
State Roundup
ALABAMA Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation that will cut the $100 minimum business privilege tax in half for small businesses in 2023 and completely exempts small businesses from the minimum tax beginning in 2024, costing the state $23 million annually. State lawmakers have shown zero appetite for reducing the state grocery tax, despite the numerous bills that were introduced earlier this year.
Senate Democrats in ILLINOIS released their $1.8 billion tax relief plan which would provide $100 checks per person with an additional $50 per child to households making less than $500,000 jointly. The proposal could also include a $300 property tax credit for families who own their homes and a temporary suspension of the 1 percent state grocery tax and state gas tax.
KANSAS legislators repackaged dozens of tax proposals into three new bills during conference committee: a $91 million tax cut package compiled of 29 separate bills that were mostly unable to pass individually, a food sales tax phase-out, and a third controversial tax cut bill. The former was taken up by both chambers and passed with bipartisan support. The other bills will likely be considered when the state readjourns in late-April.
Last week the MAINE House of Representatives voted in support of a plan that would change current income tax credits for childcare expenses borne by families by raising the maximum benefit amount to 200 percent of the federal credit.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in MICHIGAN has vetoed a temporary suspension of the state gas tax, expressing preference for a suspension of the state sales tax on gas.
Legislators in MINNESOTA are pushing for a refundable child tax rebate of $325 per child under 16 for single households earning up to $70,000 or married households earning up to $140,000 as opposed to Gov. Walz’s $1,000 direct payment checks. The cost of the child rebate is an estimated $308 million compared to the $2 billion cost of direct payments.
NEW HAMPSHIRE legislators are debating reducing business tax rates. A House bill would have reduced the business profits tax rate from 7.6 to 7.5 percent and the business enterprise tax rate from .55 to .50 percent, but the House Ways and Means Committee removed the business enterprise tax reduction to maintain revenues.
NEW YORK lawmakers have missed their deadline to finish the state budget, still discussing issues that include bail reform and a possible gas tax holiday.
TENNESSEE Gov. Bill Lee proposed a one-month sales tax holiday on groceries and a permanent reduction in the professional privilege tax, which are together estimated to cost the state $80 million if implemented.
The VIRGINIA special session went to recess on Monday after legislators failed to reach a deal on the two-year spending plan. The House and Senate are still divided over a costly $2 billion plan to double the standard deduction.
In VERMONT, the Senate provided preliminarily support for legislation that would exempt tribal lands from property taxes. It goes up for final approval in the Senate next week.
To learn more, reach out to Ashmore Consulting.
The information contained herein is general in nature and is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal, accounting or tax advice or opinion provided by Ashmore Consulting LLC to the reader. The reader also is cautioned that this material may not be applicable to, or suitable for, the reader’s specific circumstances or needs, and may require consideration of non-tax and other tax factors if any action is to be contemplated. The reader should contact Ashmore Consulting LLC or other tax professional prior to taking any action based upon this information. Ashmore Consulting LLC assumes no obligation to inform the reader of any changes in tax laws or other factors that could affect the information contained herein.
Ashmore Consulting is proud to join Pledge 1%, a global movement creating new normal where companies of all sizes integrate giving back into their culture and values. Pledge 1% empowers companies to donate 1% of product, 1% of equity, 1% of profit or 1% of employee time to causes of their choice. Over 1,500 companies in 40 countries have taken the Pledge and committed to give to communities around the world. Ashmore Consulting is excited to join Pledge 1%’s network of founders, entrepreneurs and companies around the globe that have committed to giving back.
